Hammond (SC)

Head Coach: Austin Hood (Assistant Coach 2012-13; Head Coach 2013-Present)

Staff: Aaron Pettry, Troy Riley, Gianmarco Price

Coach Hood has Hammond working very much “plug and play” … meaning they graduate some hammers (also lose two to transfer), but they have the depth for the next man up to step in and keep Hammond in the hunt. On paper this is a very young squad with the nucleus being primary underclassmen. Corbin Rabon returns after claiming a title as a 7th grader last year and he is joined by Champs Luke Martin and Sam DuBose. DuBose and Josh Priloueau are your “elder statesmen” and will be called on to lead the young Skyhawks.

Look for a trio of middle-school talent in Blaze Barnes, Sean McRae, and James Meacham to form the lineup down low around Rabon. Angeson Ladd, Aspen Brooks, and Jaden Kline will pair with Martin and Priloeau to secure the middle of the lineup (from 126/132-152). Alex Park and James Lay join DuBose from 152-170. The challenge for the Skyhawks is up top where some newcomers will have to step up from 182-285.

“We lost 5 starters to graduation and 2 transferred out of state after a 2nd place finish at SCISA Dual State. We return 3 State Champions in 8th grader Cobin Rabon, and multi time champs Sophomore Luke Martin and Senior Sam DuBose who missed all but 3 matches last season. We will have a lot of work to do with a young roster to produce at a championship level but we have an experienced and talented Sophomore and Freshman class. An exciting schedule taking us all over North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia before the State Tournament and National Preps.”

— Coach Hood

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.

Prattville Christian Academy (AL)

Head Coach: Trent R. Staggs (11th year at Prattville Christian Academy and 19th in total)

Staff: Jason Furr, Robert Holt, Nathan Fuller

PCA qualified 3 for the 1A-4A State Tournament last season and finished 28th overall. Two of those three qualifiers - Brysen and Brody Pugh return - and both should be in the hunt for a spot on the podium this season. Prattville Christian is not unlike many small schools - they struggle a bit to get numbers, but that has changed in recent years and Coach Staggs has a bevy of new wrestlers (as well as some returning wrestlers) in the building of the 2022-23 squad. Both Pugh’s will be counted on to lead the way, but they aren’t the only ones. PCA return several others with post-season experience and will be looked upon to punch their tickets this season. David Tubbs-Hill, Matthew Post, Jace Copeland Aiden Cockrell, and freshman Logan Post have the ability to make some noise this season as well.

This is still a young squad with a lot of upside … how they continue to develop through the season will be huge in how PCA finishes 2023. PCA also return a pair of Seniors in Jacob Sabir and Alex Annotti in the middle of the lineup … both were State Qualifiers two years ago and will look to make an impact this season as well. PCA has a shot to qualify 8 or 9 for the state tournament this year … that would make them a team to watch throughout 22-23.

“Our numbers have went up this year to about 25 wrestlers, showing growth in the program. We are excited for the upcoming season as we should be able to fill almost a full lineup. Having two returning state qualifiers, 3 guys that just missed qualifying and 2 Seniors returning for their senior year that were state qualifiers for us as Sophomores makes us feel that we could have very solid team this season We have a good group of underclassman that will help fill out our lineup and make us very competitive this season.”

— Coach Staggs

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.

Pelham (AL)

Head Coach: Bill Strickland (entering 5th season)

Staff: Adam Lewis, Dillon Turner, Michael John Harris, Brian Loftus

The Panthers finished 14th in a very tough 5A-6A traditional state tournament a year ago. With the split of 5A and 6A - the Panthers make the move to 6A with 4 of the top 5 teams a season ago. State Champion Bryce Wanagat as well as State Qualifiers Stone Peerson and Zander Terry have graduated, but the Panthers return 3 that competed in Huntsville in 2022. State Placer Noah Schilleci leads the way after taking 5th at 138 - he is joined by State Qualifiers Trae Peeler and Thomas Peerson - both of whom won matches in Huntsville as well.

The Panthers will look Schilleci, Peeler, and Peerson to make the podium in 2023, but for the Panthers to be in the hunt for a top 5 finish they will need a few others to step up and punch their tickets. Coach Strickland has a ton of talent ready to make their mark this season … the big question is … which of these hammers are ready to do it in 2022-2023? Walt Calvert, Tanner McCarthy, and Cash Tatum all have post-season experience and will be expected to make that next step this season. Keep an eye on Nicholas Bamberg as well as freshmen Malachi Dahlen, Benji Augsburger, and Sam Powell to step in down low for the Panthers. Brayden Patterson and Drew Martin could help through the middle and Cohen Lee, Brodie Martin, and Jackson Davenport could lock down spots up top for the Panthers. Probably the biggest return for the Panthers is 2x State Runner-up Seth Branham who missed last season. This team should be tough from top to bottom … there is a ton of potential - the question now is who makes it happen this season?

“This is the most experienced group from top to bottom and most kids we’ve had in the program since I came to Pelham. We will have about 12 weight classes filled with guys who have varsity experience and 9 guys who have qualified for state before. We’re coming off back to back years with two different individual state champions and four years in a row with a state finalist but are looking to start making some noise on a team level. We’ve had a solid summer and are looking to roll that into the season and put Pelham at the top of some team leaderboards.”

— Coach Strickland

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.