St John Paul II (AL)

Head Coach: James Dowd (16 years)

Staff: Daryl Priest

The Falcons finished 13th at the 1A-4A traditional state tournament and made the state duals again in 2021-2022. This team seems to be gaining experience (and confidence) and will look to push into the top 10 in 2023. The Falcons are led by returning 132 lb. State Champ Jack Von Eschenbach and 120 lb. State Qualifier Julian Lowe. The Falcons do lose State Qualifier Robert Goebel to graduation, but expect to be even better this season as the next group continues to develop.

Von Eschenbach and Lowe should lead the way, but if the Falcons are going to climb into the top 10 and make some noise in 22-23 - they will need Ben Santy, Andrew Maryoka, and Gabe Harris to have an impact. Harris was a State Qualifier in 2021 and Maryoka returns after being sidelined a season ago … both should join Von Eschenbach and Lowe between 126 and 145 in what will be the toughest part of the lineup for the Falcons. Keep an eye on Senior Michael Cole as well as 8th grader Xavier Escorpizo.

“We are starting to add numbers to our program which is helping improve the wrestling in the room. We are looking for our 3rd consecutive trip to the state duals and our first ever full line up. The team’s motivation is high with our 6th season looking as our best so far. ”

— Coach Dowd

NOTE: All mentions of placers and qualifiers in the body are based on the 2021-22 season. If a wrestler placed higher or lower in a previous year it is not captured above.

Hillgrove (GA)

Head Coach: Shawn Slenczka (14 years)

Staff: Adam Keith, Alex Valentine, Chris Valentine, John Tafts, John Fitchner

This has to be the first year - in many - that we won’t have a Powell in a Hillgrove singlet. Last year’s Runner-up Connor Powell has graduated, but the Hawks are far from done … In fact, this year’s squad could be even better than the 2022 edition that finished 8th at the 7A traditional state tournament. State Champ Zion Rutledge returns as does State Placer Connor Cooper and the two should lead the way in 22-23. Both will be in the hunt for the top step … but it will be up to the supporting cast in determining how high the Hawks climb as a team in 2023.

Caiden Alvarez, Benjamin Payton, Bray Gibson, and Clark Young will be counted on to lead the lightweights in 2023. Each has post-season experience and will look to make some noise this season. The strength of the Hillgrove lineup is up top with Cooper and Rutledge. If Terrance Hollingsworth, Reece Coppage, and Cooper Pedro can fill in the spots around the two hammers … Hillgrove could be a team to watch in a deep 7A. Keep an eye on Nathan Nguyen, Coen Buice, and Vicent Gentile … they will be counted on to secure the middle of the Hillgrove lineup. One final name to watch is Elliot Wehling - a junior that could make some noise down low for the Hawks. Hillgrove will be in the hunt with Rutledge and Cooper … how high they climb will depend on how well the rest develop.

“Led by returning State Champion Zion Rutledge and returning 3rd place finisher Connor Cooper, this is a deep Hillgrove team that put in a ton of work this offseason. A number of wrestlers will be competing for a spot on the podium by years end. This is a team capable of making a deep run in both dual and traditional competition, but will have its work cut out getting past defending region champs North Paulding. Goals this year are to win the county tournament, win the region, and place top 3 in both dual and traditional state.”

— Coach Slenczka

NOTE: All mentions of placers and qualifiers in the body are based on the 2021-22 season. If a wrestler placed higher or lower in a previous year it is not captured above.

Hardaway (GA)

Head Coach: Michael Smith

Staff: Lee Simpson

Hardaway finished 15th at the 2022 traditional state tournament - although they lose State Placers Cemydrious Holloway and Christian Curry as well as State Qualifier Michael Robinson … the Hawks return some outstanding talent. DeAndre Heard was 4th last year as a sophomore and should be in the hunt for the top step in 2023. Heard is joined by 2022 State Qualifiers Guensley Sajous and Tye Bias … both had solid 21-22 seasons and will be counted on to step up and make a run for the podium in 2023. Keep an eye on Senior Xion Jackson as well as Lavaughn Holtzclaw who backed up Heard a year ago. Both Jackson and Holtzclaw have an opportunity to make an impact in Macon this year. The rest of the lineup will likely be some new faces … if they can wrestle like last years new faces did - Hardaway could make some noise in 4A.

“We graduated two state placers last season but return #4 at 182 Deandre Heard and Freshman All-American Tye Bias at 215. Guensley Sajous will be a top ranked 165 in his second season. Heard and Sajous both did very well in the state tournament last year after only having 4 months to learn the sport.”

— Coach Smith

NOTE: All mentions of placers and qualifiers in the body are based on the 2021-22 season. If a wrestler placed higher or lower in a previous year it is not captured above.