A Fan's Guide to the Georgia 1A State Tournament
Welcome to the Fan’s Guide for the GHSA 1A State Tournament
So what is a Fan’s Guide?
The Fan’s Guide is a look at the tournament as a whole and each individual weight class … from a fan’s perspective. But it is not a prediction of who will win or who will make the podium. In fact, a Fan’s Guide is a little different. It is a look at a few individual pieces from each bracket … they include:
Favorite: the wrestler that enters the tournament as a section champ and has the best shot to claim the top step.
Contenders: a wrestler that finishes 1st or 2nd at sectionals has a decent chance to make the podium … one of the champs and both runners-up should be considered contenders.
Darkhorse: a wrestler that finished 3rd or 4th at one of the sectional tournaments, but could make a run for the top step.
Bracketbuster: a wrestler that finished 5 or 6 in their section, but could make a run for the podium.
Isn’t that kind of a prediction?
Yes and no. I do identify the favorite, but beyond that I have no idea of who will march through the bracket and claim a title (don’t get me wrong - I’ve watched a lot of wrestling this season so I have an idea of what will happen). I could give you an educated guess about a possible finals match and who will make the podium, but in the world of high school wrestling that is dangerous territory. Few wrestlers (if any) are unbeatable … but we do have past results and past accomplishments on which to make a guess or two. In reality, I am as much of a fan as any of you and like to talk wrestling. I hope each athlete goes out and performs to her ability and we, as fans, get an opportunity to watch some great wrestling.
Remember the sole purpose of the website, twitter, instagram, fan’s guides, pictures, etc. is to promote the sport in the Southeast. Have a great time this weekend, enjoy the wrestling, and best of luck to everyone competing.
NOTE: ALL INFORMATION BELOW IS ASSUMING THAT THE INFORMATION INPUTTED INTO TRACKWRESTLING EITHER BY THE EVENT DIRECTOR OR THE COACHES AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SEASON IS CORRECT.
A Look Back to 2023
Team Race:
I’m not going to spend much time recounting Social Circle’s run to the title. It is fairly clear from the table above that they were the favorites with 13 qualifiers coming in and by putting 12 on the podium they held off Pisgah and Trion for the title. Five of the top 6 teams had double digit qualifiers and that will be key again in 2024. But simply being a qualifier doesn’t guarantee points … Elbert County had 6 qualifiers (tied for 8th most), but just two placers and finished 22nd. The opposite is also true … Pepperell had just 6 qualifiers, but with Matthew Waddell (Champ) and two other placers they finished 5th overall. Qualifiers means opportunity. Placers and Champs means points. Keep that in mind as we take a look at the 2024 team race below.
Section Success Predicts State Success
Nothing is given, everything is earned … but there is a strong correlation between how well someone does at sectionals and their success in Macon. Ultimately team (and individual) success begins at sectionals (and honestly long before that). There is a direct relationship between being a Section Champ and eventually making the state podium. Keep that in mind when looking at our favorites, contenders, etc. further down the Guide.
All 14 State Champs won their section the week before. 24 of the 28 State Finalists were Section Champs and 26 of the 28 Section Champs made the podium in 1A. Now there are always outliers and that is why we pick darkhorses and bracketbusters … they are not likely going to claim a state title, but they could get themselves in position to do so with a great run. Last year, Michael Joiner of Irwin County finished 4th in Section A and made the state finals at 285 and Justin Pearce was 5th in Section B and made the 106 lb. State Final. Last - just 2 wrestlers that finished 6th at their sectional made the state podium. It can be done, but the lower you finish at section, the less chance you have of making the podium in Macon.
Team Notes
The table below is a list of every qualifier by school, along with their place. So we could talk about a number of different teams, but in reality there are just a handful that have enough to really make a run for a team title. They are discussed below the table.
With 14 qualifiers, 12 of whom finished either 1st or 2nd, Social Circle is in the driver’s seat and everyone else is sitting much further back. I’m a firm believer in the mantra “you can’t win a state title at sectionals, but you certainly can lose one”. I still believe that, but Social Circle has made a case that the mantra is not as form as I once thought … it is going to be extremely difficult for anyone to make up the ground and overtake the circle for the 1A title. Commerce comes in with 11 qualifiers - 3 ahead of Mt Pisgah and Elbert County. They are sitting in a great spot to take home 2nd, but will need their four 5th place finishers to get them points this weekend in order to hold off the pack chasing them.
Interested in the team race? Watch the battle for the top 5. Social Circle and Commerce will almost certainly be in the group, but the other 3 spots are going to be a dog fight. You have Pisgah, Trion, Elbert County, and Oglethorpe County, but keep an eye on Heard County and McIntosh County Academy … both programs have been very good and a top 5 finish would be an outstanding finish to the season.
Schedule
Not even close to 6 minutes … but here is my conversation with Fat and Scrappy’s Lucas Desilva as we talk through each bracket of the state tournament. Jump below the video to see my take on each bracket. Lucas makes picks - I do not.
Video Preview
106 lbs.
The Field:
Bryson Hunt (Rabun County) - Section A 1st
Andravious Brihm (Dublin) - Section A 2nd
Bryson Rutledge (Chattooga) - Section A 3rd
Cooper West (Elbert County) - Section A 4th
Dylan Maddox (Irwin County) - Section A 5th
Jeremiyah Bentley (Montgomery Co Hs) - Section A 6th
Cohen Hargrove (Social Circle) - Section B 1st
Ty Smith (Bowdon) - Section B 2nd
Tyler Prinzo (Mt. Pisgah Christian School) - Section B 3rd
Benjamin Easterlin (Mt Vernon) - Section B 4th
Khai Baker (Georgia Military College) - Section B 5th
Isaiah Hopkins (Washington-Wilkes) - Section B 6th
Favorite: Cohen Hargrove (Social Circle)
Contenders:
Bryson Hunt (Rabun County)
Andravious Brihm (Dublin)
Ty Smith (Bowdon)
Darkhorse: Tyler Prinzo (Mt. Pisgah Christian)
Bracketbuster: Dylan Maddox (Irwin County)
Things to know:
Social Circle’s Cohen Hargrove is 53-2 and had 2 1st period falls and an 8-0 decision of Prinzo on his way to the Section B title
Bryson Hunt is 38-1 on the season with his only loss coming to North Carolina’s Sully Cunningham in November.
The weight is littered with freshmen so no returning state qualifiers or state placers - except for a couple.
Andravious Brihm of Dublin was 3rd last year at this weight - he lost to freshman Hunt in the Section A Finals
Tyler Prinzo of Pisgah was a state qualifier at 113
113 lbs.
The Field:
Landon Carlton (Chattooga) - Section A 1st
GABE BURNS (Commerce Hs) - Section A 2nd
Silas Mills (Trion) - Section A 3rd
Cruz Floyd (Elbert County) - Section A 4th
Cayson Wadley (East Laurens) - Section A 5th
Payne Roberson (Charlton County) - Section A 6th
Connor Castillo (Social Circle) - Section B 1st
DaMontae Holland (McIntosh County Academy) - Section B 2nd
Corbin Xayabouth-Jones (Temple) - Section B 3rd
Gareth Addison (Bowdon) - Section B 4th
Cody Duck (Pepperell) - Section B 5th
Brody Rice (Jasper County) - Section B 6th
Favorite: Connor Castillo (Social Circle)
Contenders:
Landon Carlton (Chattooga)
GABE BURNS (Commerce Hs)
DaMontae Holland (McIntosh County Academy)
Darkhorse: Corbin Xayabouth-Jones (Temple)
Bracketbuster: Cody Duck (Pepperell)
Things to know:
Connor Castillo is the defending State Champion at … 120. Yep - he is down at 113 (swithcing places with his teammate Braydon Mitchell). He has been outstanding at 120 all season and is a heavy favorite to claim another title - this time at 113.
Landon Carlton easily took care of business in Section A - pinning freshman Gabe Burns in the finals
Another weight with several freshmen that will look to make their first state podium. Keep an eye on Corbin Xayabouth-Jones of Temple - his only loss at sectionals was to Castillo in the semis.
120 lbs.
The Field:
Jason Jenkins (Trion) - Section A 1st
Paris Crowder (Oglethorpe County) - Section A 2nd
Cainan Gladden (Treutlen) - Section A 3rd
Wyatt Hunton (Armuchee) - Section A 4th
Thomas Morgan (Commerce Hs) - Section A 5th
Landon Higginbotham (Charlton County) - Section A 6th
Braydon Mitchell (Social Circle) - Section B 1st
Nick Samples (Mt Zion, Carroll) - Section B 2nd
Michael Hedrick (Heard County) - Section B 3rd
Jacin Zamora (Emanuel County Institute) - Section B 4th
Amishai Weismark (Weber School) - Section B 5th
Eric Jackson (McIntosh County Academy) - Section B 6th
Favorite: Braydon Mitchell (Social Circle)
Contenders:
Jason Jenkins (Trion)
Nick Samples (Mt Zion, Carroll)
Paris Crowder (Oglethorpe County)
Darkhorse: Michael Hedrick (Heard County)
Bracketbuster: Thomas Morgan (Commerce Hs)
Things to know:
Social Circle’s Braydon Mitchell is the defending 113 lb. Champion
Jason Jenkins had 3 falls and then beat Crowder 11-8 for the Section A title
Nick Samples of Mt Zion Carroll was 4th last year at this weight and lost to Mitchell 7-0 in the Section B finals … he is definitely one to watch on his side of the bracket.
Keep an eye on Michael Hedrick who was 4th at 113 in 2023
Caiden Gladden is a returning state qualifier
126 lbs.
The Field:
Gavin Carlton (Chattooga) - Section A 1st
Logan Potts (Trion) - Section A 2nd
Haven Johnson-Jordan (Irwin County) - Section A 3rd
Rylee Clarke (Oglethorpe County) - Section A 4th
Samson Dobbs (Commerce Hs) - Section A 5th
Thomas Bradly White (East Laurens) - Section A 6th
Conner Doherty (Mt. Pisgah Christian School) - Section B 1st
Lauden Ethridge (Social Circle) - Section B 2nd
Pace Lilenfeld (St Francis School) - Section B 3rd
Jason Newman (Screven County) - Section B 4th
Cory Moten (Pepperell) - Section B 5th
Tyshawn Holland (McIntosh County Academy) - Section B 6th
Favorite: Conner Doherty (Mt. Pisgah Christian)
Contenders:
Gavin Carlton (Chattooga)
Lauden Ethridge (Social Circle)
Logan Potts (Trion)
Darkhorse: Haven Johnson-Jordan (Irwin County)
Bracketbuster: Cory Moten (Pepperell)
Things to know:
Doherty is the defending 106 lb. State Champion - he beat Ethridge 10-4 in the Section B finals
Gavin Carlton was the 132 lb. State Runner-up in 2023 - he had to go to overtime in the Section A semifinals to beat Haven Johnson-Jordan of Irwin County before beating Potts 8-0 for the B title.
The weight features several with past state tournament experience.
Haven Johnson-Jordan and Cory Moten were a state qualifiers at 126
Pace Lilenfeld was a state qualifier at 120
132 lbs.
The Field:
HOGAN SIMS (Commerce Hs) - Section A 1st
Aden Davis (Darlington) - Section A 2nd
Erik Torres (Christian Heritage) - Section A 3rd
Hudson Fleming (Elbert County) - Section A 4th
Ashton Anderson (Bacon County) - Section A 5th
Maddox Pierce (Irwin County) - Section A 6th
James Sievers (Social Circle) - Section B 1st
Pierre Nelson (Mt. Pisgah Christian School) - Section B 2nd
Diego Padilla (Heard County) - Section B 3rd
Avery Fielder (Pepperell) - Section B 4th
Egan Hadelman (St Francis School) - Section B 5th
Bradley Tavares (Lamar County) - Section B 6th
Favorite: James Sievers (Social Circle)
Contenders:
Pierre Nelson (Mt. Pisgah Christian)
HOGAN SIMS (Commerce Hs)
Aden Davis (Darlington)
Darkhorse: Diego Padilla (Heard County)
Bracketbuster: Egan Hadelman (St Francis School)
Things to know:
James Sievers has had a great freshman season and will look to cap it off with a state title - he beat Nelson 13-6 in the Section B finals last weekend
Fellow freshman Hogan Sims had to win some close matches last weekend to take the Section A title
Pierre Nelson was 6th last year at 120 and Aden Davis was 3rd at 126 - both returning placers finished 2nd in their section
Egan Hadelman was 6th last year at 126 and is in the position to bust the bracket after taking 5th in Section B
138 lbs.
The Field:
Carter Fleming (Elbert County) - Section A 1st
Mason Deal (Towns County) - Section A 2nd
Taj Carswell (Dublin) - Section A 3rd
JACK FOWLER (Commerce Hs) - Section A 4th
Cooper Brantley (Treutlen) - Section A 5th
Clayton Loughridge (Trion) - Section A 6th
Curtis Duren (Social Circle) - Section B 1st
Kolton Edge (Pepperell) - Section B 2nd
Christian Lange (Mt. Pisgah Christian School) - Section B 3rd
Ryder Rankin (Screven County) - Section B 4th
Brandon Turpen (Temple) - Section B 5th
Chip Fahlbusch (Mt Vernon) - Section B 6th
Favorite: Curtis Duren (Social Circle)
Contenders:
Carter Fleming (Elbert County)
Kolton Edge (Pepperell)
Mason Deal (Towns County)
Darkhorse: Christian Lange (Mt. Pisgah Christian)
Bracketbuster: Clayton Loughridge (Trion)
Things to know:
CJ Duren is the defending 126 lb. State Champion and easily took care of business in the Section B tournament last week - beating Kolton Edge 14-4 in the finals
Carter Fleming was 4th last year at 132 and like Duren easily took care of business in last weekend’s sectional tournament
Edge was 3rd last year 138, Christian Lange was 4th at 126, Mason Deal is a returning State Qualifier
Clayton Loughridge was 2nd at 113 in 2023 and sits in a prime spot to break the bracket after taking 6th in Section A
Keep an eye on Taj Carswell
144 lbs.
The Field:
Isiah Davis (Elbert County) - Section A 1st
Addison Cothern (Bacon County) - Section A 2nd
Colton Phillips (Armuchee) - Section A 3rd
Bob Merritt (Irwin County) - Section A 4th
Brandon Willerson (Dade County) - Section A 5th
Coleman Lee (Trion) - Section A 6th
Marley Washington (Mt. Pisgah Christian School) - Section B 1st
Cale Prater (Social Circle) - Section B 2nd
Wyatt Sowell (Screven County) - Section B 3rd
Ronny Marlow (Heard County) - Section B 4th
Dylan Naish (St Francis School) - Section B 5th
Jackson Gresham (Temple) - Section B 6th
Favorite: Marley Washington (Mt. Pisgah Christian)
Contenders:
Isiah Davis (Elbert County)
Cale Prater (Social Circle)
Addison Cothern (Bacon County)
Darkhorse: Wyatt Sowell (Screven County)
Bracketbuster: Brandon Willerson (Dade County)
Things to know:
Marley Washington is the defending 138 lb State Champion
Isiah Davis was 6th last year at 138
Jackson Gresham is a returning State Qualifier
150 lbs.
The Field:
Miles Mason (Oglethorpe County) - Section A 1st
Brycin Hughes (Elbert County) - Section A 2nd
Caden Atkins (Armuchee) - Section A 3rd
Michael Johnson (Charlton County) - Section A 4th
JESSIE COFIELD (Commerce Hs) - Section A 5th
Mister Graham (Irwin County) - Section A 6th
Jace Parent (St Francis School) - Section B 1st
Mason Gillespie (Heard County) - Section B 2nd
Dane Kracht (Social Circle) - Section B 3rd
Will Brantley (Georgia Military College) - Section B 4th
JP Pickren (Mt. Pisgah Christian School) - Section B 5th
Christian Ward (McIntosh County Academy) - Section B 6th
Favorite: Jace Parent (St Francis School)
Contenders:
Miles Mason (Oglethorpe County)
Mason Gillespie (Heard County)
Brycin Hughes (Elbert County)
Darkhorse: Dane Kracht (Social Circle)
Bracketbuster: JESSIE COFIELD (Commerce Hs)
Things to know:
Jace Parent was 3rd last year at 144 - beat Gillespie 6-2 in the Section B finals
Miles Mason was 6th at 120 - beat Hughes 6-1 in the Section A finals
Mason Gillespie was 4th at 138 and Dane Kracht was 6th at 132
Caden Atkins, Michael Johnson, Jessie Cofield are returning State Qualifiers
157 lbs.
The Field:
Tanner Mask (Oglethorpe County) - Section A 1st
CADEN MCWILLIAMS (Commerce Hs) - Section A 2nd
Rodolfo Ramos (Rabun County) - Section A 3rd
Cooper Middleton (Christian Heritage) - Section A 4th
Branden Mitchell (Dublin) - Section A 5th
Hendrix Jones (Darlington) - Section A 6th
Cade Parent (St Francis School) - Section B 1st
Caden Prater (Social Circle) - Section B 2nd
David McFarland (Screven County) - Section B 3rd
Lane Moran (Heard County) - Section B 4th
Aiden Carroll (Temple) - Section B 5th
Jaden Handsom (Emanuel County Institute) - Section B 6th
Favorite: Cade Parent (St Francis School)
Contenders:
Tanner Mask (Oglethorpe County)
Caden Prater (Social Circle)
CADEN MCWILLIAMS (Commerce Hs)
Darkhorse: David McFarland (Screven County)
Bracketbuster: Aiden Carroll (Temple)
Things to know:
Cade Parent was 2nd at this weight last year
Tanner Mask was 6th at 144
Rodolfo Ramos, David McFarland, and Jaden Handsom are all returning State Qualifiers
165 lbs.
The Field:
Lucas Coley (Dublin) - Section A 1st
KENNETH WEST (Commerce Hs) - Section A 2nd
Jax Guinn (Dade County) - Section A 3rd
Jack Stowers (Towns County) - Section A 4th
Jamaze Hall (Elbert County) - Section A 5th
Ashley Rowan (Charlton County) - Section A 6th
Sean Crews (Social Circle) - Section B 1st
Scotty Taylor (Temple) - Section B 2nd
Steele Brown (Mt. Pisgah Christian School) - Section B 3rd
Gage Gay (Emanuel County Institute) - Section B 4th
Jason Zheng (Screven County) - Section B 5th
Nolen Marceluo (Chattahoochee County HS) - Section B 6th
Favorite: Sean Crews (Social Circle)
Contenders:
Lucas Coley (Dublin)
Scotty Taylor (Temple)
KENNETH WEST (Commerce Hs)
Darkhorse: Steele Brown (Mt. Pisgah Christian School)
Bracketbuster: Jamaze Hall (Elbert County)
Things to know:
Sean Crews was 3rd at 165
Lucas Coley is a returning SQ
Both Crews and Coley had to win close matches to win their sections … Coley beat West 3-2 in the A finals, Crews beat Brown 4-3 in the A semifinals
Steele Brown was 6th at 190 last year
Kenneth West and Jamaze Hall are both returning SQ
175 lbs.
The Field:
Zayden Cook (Chattooga) - Section A 1st
Cohen Blaschke (Trion) - Section A 2nd
Randall Richardson (Charlton County) - Section A 3rd
Jayce Brown (Oglethorpe County) - Section A 4th
Celton Littrell (Rabun County) - Section A 5th
Marquez Harris (East Laurens) - Section A 6th
Josh Lange (Mt. Pisgah Christian School) - Section B 1st
Levi Kendall (Social Circle) - Section B 2nd
Manolo Deleon (Pepperell) - Section B 3rd
Anthony Jackson (McIntosh County Academy) - Section B 4th
Travis Abernathy (Heard County) - Section B 5th
Raul Parrish (Bryan County) - Section B 6th
Favorite: Josh Lange (Mt. Pisgah Christian)
Contenders:
Zayden Cook (Chattooga)
Cohen Blaschke (Trion)
Levi Kendall (Social Circle)
Darkhorse: Randall Richardson (Charlton County)
Bracketbuster: Celton Littrell (Rabun County)
Things to know:
Josh Lange was 2nd in 2023 at 175
Zayden Cook was a SQ at 165 - he beat Blaschke in the A finals 6-0 last weekend
Cohen Blaschke was 3rd at 175 in 2023
Randall Richardson, Jayce Brown, Marquez Harris, Manolo Deleon, and Anthony Jackson are all returning SQ
190 lbs.
The Field:
Hoke Hogan (Commerce Hs) - Section A 1st
Toby Maddux (Trion) - Section A 2nd
Jordan Castellanos (Dade County) - Section A 3rd
Luke Edwards (Pelham) - Section A 4th
Justin Cody (Rabun County) - Section A 5th
Caleb Hall (Oglethorpe County) - Section A 6th
Robert Erickson (Lamar County) - Section B 1st
Xzavion Colclough (Social Circle) - Section B 2nd
Robert McCoy (Temple) - Section B 3rd
Shaw Branch (Kings Ridge) - Section B 4th
William Truitt (Marion County) - Section B 5th
Jemiah Stewart (Screven County) - Section B 6th
Favorite: Hoke Hogan (Commerce Hs)
Contenders:
Toby Maddux (Trion)
Robert Erickson (Lamar County)
Xzavion Colclough (Social Circle)
Darkhorse: Jordan Castellanos (Dade County)
Bracketbuster: Justin Cody (Rabun County)
Things to know:
Hoke Poe-Hogan was 2nd last year at 215 - Hogan pinned Maddux for the Section A title
Toby Maddux is the returning 165 lb. State Champion
Robert Erickson pinned his way to the Section B title - 4 1st period falls
Jordan Castellanos, Justin Cody, Caleb Hall, and Robert McCoy are all returning SQ’s
215 lbs.
The Field:
Landon Williams (Dade County) - Section A 1st
TYSHON WIGGINS (Commerce Hs) - Section A 2nd
Lincoln Blackmon (Elbert County) - Section A 3rd
Fletcher crowe (Chattooga) - Section A 4th
Sam Wooten (Darlington) - Section A 5th
Evan Hopper (Rabun County) - Section A 6th
Gary Morton (Lamar County) - Section B 1st
Dillon Evans (Social Circle) - Section B 2nd
Will Mealer (Heard County) - Section B 3rd
Creed Sanders (Emanuel County Institute) - Section B 4th
Gage Medlock (McIntosh County Academy) - Section B 5th
Carlos Arias (Bryan County) - Section B 6th
Favorite: Landon Williams (Dade County)
Contenders:
TYSHON WIGGINS (Commerce Hs)
Gary Morton (Lamar County)
Dillon Evans (Social Circle)
Darkhorse: Will Mealer (Heard County)
Bracketbuster: Gage Medlock (McIntosh County Academy)
Things to know:
Landon Williams is the defending 215 lb. State Champion and probably the biggest favorite in 1A - Williams pinned Wiggins for the A title
Tyshon Wiggins was 2nd last year at 190
Gary Morton is a returning State Qualifier who pinned his way to the Section B title
Sam Wooten, Will Mealer, and Gage Medlock are all returning SQ’s.
285 lbs.
The Field:
Michael Joiner (Irwin County) - Section A 1st
Eli Kimball (Dade County) - Section A 2nd
Jack Chandler (Darlington) - Section A 3rd
Wyatt Halstead (Schley County) - Section A 4th
MICHAEL DUNCAN (Commerce Hs) - Section A 5th
Nysir Witt (Oglethorpe County) - Section A 6th
Clint Williamson (Lamar County) - Section B 1st
Hayden Wheat (Pepperell) - Section B 2nd
Javonte Cummings (McIntosh County Academy) - Section B 3rd
Ryley Fuller (Mt Vernon) - Section B 4th
Nick Morrell (Social Circle) - Section B 5th
Byron Lewis (Bryan County) - Section B 6th
Favorite: Clint Williamson (Lamar County)
Contenders:
Michael Joiner (Irwin County)
Hayden Wheat (Pepperell)
Eli Kimball (Dade County)
Darkhorse: Ryley Fuller (Mt Vernon)
Bracketbuster: MICHAEL DUNCAN (Commerce Hs)
Things to know:
Williamson is the defending State Champion at the weight - he pinned his way to the Section B title, but was down to Ryley Fuller in the semifinals before getting the fall
Michael Joiner was 2nd to Williamson last year, but had to battle against Kimball to take the Section A title - winning 3-2
Jack Chandler, Wyatt Halstead, and Nysir Witt are all returning SQ’s