Vancleave (MS)

Head Coach: David Sutherland (entering 2nd season)

Staff: Steve Bryant, James Jacobs Sr

Exciting things happening in Mississippi after a historic season with their first state championship … and Vancleave was right in the mix - taking 2nd to Ocean Springs. The Bulldogs lose none of their qualifiers from a season ago and should be back making noise in 22-23. Quinton Carroll claimed the 106 lb. title a year ago and could be back at that same spot this year. Blayne Patrick took the 138 lb. title and formed a solid 1-2 punch with State Runner-up Cole Daughterty a year ago (expect the two will be back in the middle of the Bulldog lineup this season).

The key for the Bulldogs knocking off Ocean Springs is the continued development of the rest of the squad. They return a bevy of wrestlers that made the podium and if Coach Sutherland and staff can figure out how to push them further up the podium … then this team could challenge Ocean Springs (who graduated a few of their hammers). Look for Colton Gilbert, Chase Alspaugh, Logan Daugherty, and James Jacobs to fill out the bottom part of the lineup with Ian Dempsey, Ashton Peterson, Will Parker, and Clayton Jacobs filling in around Patrick and Cole Daugherty in the middle. Up top Coach Sutherland will look to Maison Kleist, Jordan Sherrod, BG Peterson, and Hunter Rainer to step up around returning State Runner-up Randall Wilson (who should compete at 170/182). Two others that could make an impact include Juniors River Brown and Gavin Dedeaux.

“We are returning our two state champs and runner ups and have a healthy team to really work hard (in only our second year as a program) in our pursuit of a state title. The returning wrestlers are ready to work as we look to improve on last season and win both the dual and individual state tournaments this season. We doubled in size as a team and really pulling some great athletes to increase the strength of our wrestling room. All these young men are ready to put in the work and continue to develop into skilled wrestlers and successful young adults!”

— Coach Sutherland

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.

Murray County (GA)

Head Coach: Drake Enloe (2nd Year head coach at Murray County /13th Year as a Wrestling Coach)

Staff: Josh Zeigler (High School) Jeff Johnson (Girls Team) Sandra Johnston (Girls Team) Chad Stafford ( Middle School, High School)

The Indians make the move down to 2A after finishing in the top 25 in 3A a year ago. A move down doesn’t necessarily mean any easier of a path to the top 10 so they will need their hammers to step up and do their thing in 2023. Fortunately, Coach Enloe returns all four of his 2022 State Qualifiers and has a solid core on which to build.

Eli Hope and Todd Banks each won multiple matches at the state tournament a year ago and should be hunting spots high on the podium this season. They could be joined on the podium by returning Qualifiers Aaron Flood and Caleb Blair. It would be a surprise if the Indians didn’t have a State Placer when all was said and done in 2023 … in fact it is more likely they will have 3 or 4 rather than none. That means you can expect Murray County to climb up the 2A rankings this season. Luke Sims returns for his senior campaign and will be one to watch … certainly another Indian that could punch his ticket to Macon. Aiden Johnson has been described by Coach Enloe as “one of the hardest workers in the room” and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see a breakout season in 22-23. A few others to keep an eye on include freshman Blaine Tarvin (215), and move-in’s Kristopher McGinnis (145) and Eli Bowers (138). The Indians have a solid core … how they end up could come down to how well those others step up and compete.

“Murray County Returned to the State Duals last season after a 19 year hiatus. The Indians were led by first year Head coach Drake Enloe. The Athletes here at Murray have bought into the process. Murray County will return majority of last years line up and have new Athletes to complete a competitive line for the upcoming season. The Expectation is Murray County is a top team and will return to the Elite 8 and expect to finish better than last year. It has become the standard and Murray county is Hungry and wants it. They have been committed to improvement as off season they have put in the wrench time to progress forward.”

— Coach Enloe

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.

Matanzas (FL)

Head Coach: TJ Gillin (Fourth year head coach and eighth year with Matanzas)

Staff: Mike Fries- Head Girls Coach, Jeremiah Marschka, Sebastian Rizzo

Matanzas finished 9th a season ago in a tough 2A … well it might have gotten tougher this season with the addition of 1A top 10 Clay and others. Still - Matanzas is poised to make a run for another top 10 finish. The Pirates do lose State Runner-up Tyson Mills, but return the bulk of last year’s squad while picking up some additional firepower in the off-season. Jordan Mills returns after taking 2nd at 170 and he will be hunting the top step in 2023. Mills is joined by Flagler Palm Coast transfer (and 3A State Qualifier) TJ McLean and returning State Qualifier Landon Wright.

The Pirates also return a ton of wrestlers that were on the cusp of punching their ticket a year ago … and each will be counted on to make an impact this season. Christian Borgmann, Kyler Corley, Joel Douglass, Dylan Parkinson, Bradyn Cox, and Adyn Cox each won matches at regions a year ago. Add in Mainland transfer Kaden Golder who made region bloodround a season ago and the Pirates have 10 that have a legit shot at punching their ticket this season. Keep an eye on Andrew Kerek, Carter Wilder, Torylon Stallings, Mikey Fries, and Mason Obama on the bottom of the Pirate lineup. Samuel Ny, Carmine Lania, and Tyler Thomas should help solidify the top part of the lineup. Matanzas will be tough from top to bottom, but should be very tough to beat from 170 up.

“We are expecting our biggest year yet. Our district picked up Fleming Island and Clay High, which will make for a lot of big and exciting matches throughout the year. We are very excited for those match-ups and the push to wrestle at a high level every week. Last season, we broke through the top-10 at the traditional state tournament with a ninth place team finish. This year, our goal is to break the top-5. We return many wrestlers from last year, including four wrestlers with experience wrestling in March.”

— Coach Gillin

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.