A Fan's Guide to the Georgia 3A State Tournament
Welcome to SEWrestle’s Fan’s Guide to the Georgia 3A State Tournament. For those of you unfamiliar with the Fan’s Guide … here are a few things to know. First, I don’t believe in making predictions … happy to leave that to others. Anything can happen on the mat and these wrestlers must win multiple matches to earn a title … so don’t jump to the conclusion that the favorite is my prediction for the champ. Second, the Fan’s Guide is simply designed to give the average fan an idea of the bracket and who are some of the bets wrestlers to keep an eye on. This is determined by a number of different things including how they placed at the sectional tournament, how they performed at past state tournaments, etc. Third, if you have never heard the term “darkhorse” before … it is usually identified as someone “flying under the radar” that could surprise some people (for the purpose of the Fan’s Guide it will always be a wrestler that finished 3rd or lower at their sectional tournament). I don’t necessarily believe the darkhorse will win it all, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they found a way high onto the podium.
I hope you enjoy the state tournament and best of luck to everyone competing.
Lucas and I talk the 3A State Tournament in the video and I breakdown my thought on the favorite, contenders, etc. below the video.
106
Favorite: Adonnis Sanchez (Coahulla Creek)
Contenders:
Juan Rafael (Gilmer)
Logan Opdycke (Rockmart)
Jonathan Westberry (Brantley County)
Darkhorse: Noah Chastain (Sonoraville)
Best 1st Round match: Davin Lightsey (White County) vs. Charlie Wheeler (East Jackson)
What to Expect: Sanchez is the only returning placer in the bracket after taking 4th a year ago (at this weight). He had to fight off a tough Wheeler in the Section A semis - so the path to a title isn’t a given, but he has the experience. Rafael won Section B over Opdycke and really wasn’t tested on his way to the B title. But he should be on the bottom side … getting the winner of Lightsey and Wheeler and then Westberry, Chastain, or Stanley. Westberry beat Chastain last weekend in a close 3-2 match and the potential quarters between the 2’s and 3’s could be excellent (Opdycke beat Banks 5-3 last weekend, but Banks will need to beat an Ashton Jones who lost in the first round last weekend and then won 3 on the backside to make the state tournament).
113
Favorite: TK Davis (Rockmart)
Contenders:
Carson Farist (Gilmer)
Pierce Pennngton (Ringgold)
Jesus Sanchez (Coahulla Creek)
Darkhorse: Mac Bowen (Oconee County)
Best 1st Round match: Harrison Krause (Hart County) vs. Isaih Whitlow (White County)
What to Expect: Very good weight class that is headlined by 2021 106 lb. State Runner-up TK Davis of Rockmart. Davis downed Carson Farist (last year’s 106 lb. State Champ) 8-3 in the Section B finals and it wouldn’t be a surprise if we see the two clash once again. Ringgold freshman Pierce Pennington won Section A convincingly with an 8-3 decision of Krause and a 10-4 decision of Jesus Sanchez, who was 4th at 113 in 2021. Keep an eye on a potential Bowen vs. Sanchez quarter … Sanchez pinned Bowen in the first 30 seconds last weekend, but I wouldn’t bet money that will happen again.
120
Favorite: Izaeah Beavers (Rockmart)
Contenders:
Kenly Eavenson (Franklin County)
Jaxson Owens (Adairsville)
Arturo Gonzalez (Gilmer)
Darkhorse: Wade Parker (Sonoraville)
Best 1st Round match: Cayden Autry (White County) vs. Brax Carter (Appling County)
What to Expect: Izaeah Beavers, who was 3rd at this weight a year ago, has been on absolute tear this season and dominated a good Section B bracket last weekend with 4 falls - each one coming under a minute. Kenly Eavenson just missed a spot on the podium a year ago and won the Section A title with 4 falls … a potential semi against Jaxson Owens or Arturo Gonzalez looms large. Owens was 3rd last year at 106 and downed Gonzalez, who was 2nd at 113 a year ago, 5-3 in the semis last weekend. Keep an eye on Wade Parker of Sonoraville who just missed a spot on the podium last year and lost to Eavenson in the semis last weekend … the winner of the Parker/Smith match gets Beavers though.
126
Favorite: Dawson Thompson (North Hall)
Contenders:
Miguel Jaimes (Hart County)
Kerwin Martinez (Lumpkin County)
Noah Watts (East Jackson)
Darkhorse: Gunner Chambers (Rockmart)
Best 1st Round match: Hudson Moss (Ringgold) vs. Caleb Blair (Murray County)
What to Expect: Dawson Thompson took 2nd a year ago and looks locked in to climb to the top of the podium in 2022. He had 3 very quick falls and a 16-1 tech fall last weekend and is certainly the favorite after taking out both Gunner Chambers and Kerwin Martinez with 1st period falls. Miguel Jaimes had to battle Noah Watts to the end in claiming a 7-6 decision to claim the Section A title. Martinez vs. Chambers looks like a likely quarter - and another Gilmer vs. Rockmart battle. Don’t be surprised if the winner of that match downs Jaimes and advances to the finals.
132
Favorite: Isaac Linley (Adairsville)
Contenders:
Hayden Biggs (Cherokee Bluff)
Logan Moore (Sonoraville)
Braden Thorn (Pierce County)
Darkhorse: Andrew Smith (Hart County)
Best 1st Round match: Hernan Hernandez (North Murray) vs. Able Turley (Ringgold)
What to Expect: Linley is the returning 120 lb. State Champ and wrestled like it this season … particularly last weekend with 2 first period falls and a 10-1 major decision of Biggs on the finals of the Section B tournament. The top side of the bracket is more wide open with Logan Moore of Sonoraville, a 2021 State Qualifier, taking the Section A title over Braden Thorn of Pierce County. Moore shares the top side with Biggs who was 3rd a year ago at 132 and was 2nd in Section B to Linley. Linley is the certain favorite in the weight … can Biggs, Moore, or someone else knock him off? We will see.
138
Favorite: Connor Free (North Hall)
Contenders:
Tristan Busch (Ringgold)
TJ Payne (Lumpkin County)
Jacob Baughcum (Franklin)
Darkhorse: Bleu Winter (Rockmart)
Best 1st Round match: Winters vs. Zachary Davis (Pierce County)
What to Expect: This could be a wild weight to watch. Connor Free wrestled lights out last weekend at the Section B tournament and is probably the favorite, but the group chasing will be fun to watch. Freshman Tristan Busch of Ringgold took the Section A title and had to win a close one early over Diego Martinez-Johnson of Hart County 6-5 to continue marching through the bracket. What makes this weight interesting is the group chasing the two section champs. TJ Payne, the B runner-up, downed Bentley 7-3 in the quarters last weekend and if Bentley can get by Jaeck we will have that rematch to watch. Rockmart’s Bleu Winters was 4th a year ago at 126 and forfeited to 6th after losing a close one to Payne (4-3) in the B semis … if he isn’t injured and is back in the bracket - you better keep an eye on him.
145
Favorite: Gage Lee (Pike County)
Contenders:
Hunter Wilson (Rockmart)
Nathan Bowen (Oconee County)
Wilder Davis (Franklin)
Darkhorse: Nick Randall (Stephens County)
Best 1st Round match: Juan Zavala (East Jackson) vs. Christian Kehely (White County)
What to Expect: Lee took care of business last weekend with 4 falls including one over Hunter Wilson in the Section B Finals. Lee is a returning State Placer at this weight and is the favorite, but be sure to keep an eye on the field (I’d like to know what the score was before the fall in the finals, but trackwrestling doesn’t have that information). The top side should be very competitive with Section A Champ Nathan Bowen and Rockmart’s Wilson. Two wrestlers to keep an eye on are on the bottom side … Nick Randall of Stephens County who could get Davis in the quarters and tough freshman AJ Scott who lost to Wilson 11-10 in the semis last weekend.
152
Favorite: Pyren Queen (Oconee County)
Contenders:
Nahzir Turner (Rockmart)
Joey Carew (North Hall)
Robert Keyhea (Appling County)
Darkhorse: Miguel Jacinto (Gilmer)
Best 1st Round match: Mason Keenum (Monroe Area) vs. Cooper Jones (Pike County)
What to Expect: Another very competitive weight that will likely go to whoever is wrestling their best this weekend. Queen and Turner both won their sectionals and did so impressively - so if they can continue that run they could meet up in the finals. But the pack chasing includes Joey Carew, Robert Keyhea, Miguel Jacinto, etc. and they aren’t significantly behind the two champs and it would surprise me if any of the sectional “placers” didn’t find a hot streak and cause chaos in the bracket. Pyren Queen has had a great season and is the favorite, but it will be important to not get caught looking ahead.
160
Favorite: Anthony Mannella (Mary Persons)
Contenders:
Zane Fairbanks (Oconee County)
Brayden Nance (Cherokee Bluff)
Tyler Crow (East Jackson)
Darkhorse: Diego Jacinto (Gilmer)
Best 1st Round match: Jalen Darden (Central, Macon) vs. Grady Sanders (Stephens County)
What to Expect: Baylor transfer Anthony Mannella comes in as the favorite after downing 2021 State Runner-up Diego Jacinto of Gilmer in the Section B finals 4-3 last weekend. Mannella then pinned Brayden Nance to claim the Section B title and put himself on the bottom side of the bracket … opposite what should be very tough path to the finals. Nance vs. Jacinto will be a great quarter assuming Jacinto downs Ray Fullenwider in the first round. Fairbanks should be waiting on the winner.
170
Favorite: Colt Weaver (Sonoraville)
Contenders:
Zeke Harris (North Hall)
Eric Thompson (Oconee County)
Dylan Roberts (Cherokee Bluff)
Darkhorse: Caleb Turner (Morgan County)
Best 1st Round match: Zachary Fullard (Pike County) vs. Cameron Jenkins (Rockmart)
What to Expect: Weaver vs. Harris. It seems like a finals match that is very likely to happen. Both took care of their brackets last weekend with little fanfare and very little trouble. Not to sat that Thompson, Roberts, and others couldn’t surprise everyone, but the likelihood is that we will see returning State Placer Colt Weaver against North Hall’s Harris in the end. Keep an eye on Caleb Turner who has wrestled well and could make a run for a spot on the podium … Fullard vs. Jenkins could be an important first round match for Rockmart who could be in a tight team race with Gilmer.
182
Favorite: Hunter Adams (North Hall)
Contenders:
Gavin Harper (Sonoraville)
Mekhi Martin (Brantley County)
Aaron Flood (Murray County)
Darkhorse: Jaimon Long (Adairsville)
Best 1st Round match: Tyler Fulbright (Stephens County) vs. Jakilen King (Pike County)
What to Expect: Looks like a North Hall vs. Sonoraville finals Part II … with Adams and Harper. Again neither was challenged at the sectional tournament and both look ready to make their case for the title. Adams is the defending champ at the weight and has to be the favorite. Harper was 3rd at the weight a year ago and will look to take out Adams and claim the 2022 title, but both must focus on the matches in front of them and not look to Friday evening. Keep an eye on Jaimon Long … wouldn’t be a surprise to see him get a few wins and put himself within reach of the top step.
195
Favorite: Jebb Knight (Sonoraville)
Contenders:
Devin Hunte (North Murray)
Owen Moss (Gilmer)
Nathan Walker (Stephens Co)
Darkhorse: James Lynch (Adairsville)
Best 1st Round match: Eion Keener (Coahulla Creek) vs. Caleb Beverly (West Hall)
What to Expect: Knight came up just short a year ago and will look to take that last step this year and claim the 195 lb. title. Devin Hunte of North Hall wrestled great in the Section B tournament - posting 4 falls including pins of Beverly, Jones, and Moss. Moss will now need to beat Knight if he is going to claim the title … but he must first beat a good James Lynch (who he beat 3-1 in the semis last weekend). Knight is the favorite, but you never know what will happen.
220
Favorite: Dylan Galloway (Gilmer)
Contenders:
Draven Peppers (Sonoraville)
Jakamron Ammons (Rockmart)
Ivan Arroyo (Burke Co)
Darkhorse: Isaiah Pryor (Greater Atlanta Christian)
Best 1st Round match: Bryan Westbrooks (Peach County) vs. Seth Hogan (Monroe Area)
What to Expect: Very good weight with returning State Placers throughout the bracket. Sonoraville’s Draven Peppers looked outstanding in downing Ivan Arroyo in the Section A finals, but if he is going to get to the finals he will likely have to beat Jakamron Ammons who was 3rd a year ago and lost in the Section B finals 3-1 to Dylan Galloway. Galloway, the returning runner-up, is the favorite, but his side of the bracket is far from easy as well. Arroyo was 4th a year ago and definitely has the ability to beat anyone in the bracket. As Lucas would say, “break out the popcorn - this one could be fun”. Pryor is the easy pick as the darkhorse … with everyone focusing on the top 4 … Pryor could surprise some people and beat Ammons and then Peppers a run for his money in the semis.
285
Favorite: Jaxx Knight (Sonoraville)
Contenders:
Jase Davis (Rockmart)
Tony Olea (Gilmer)
Tyler Willhite (Monroe Area)
Darkhorse: Micah Reid (Morgan Co)
Best 1st Round match: Eli Hope (Murray Co) vs. Terrence Harrin (Hephzibah)
What to Expect: Another very good bracket that features the defending State Champ Jaxx Knight as the favorite. Knight has been here and done that, but that doesn’t mean a repeat is a given. Jase Davis was 3rd a year ago and beat a good Tony Olea of Gilmer in the Section B finals last weekend. This bracket should be close and a fun one to watch. Keep an eye on Micah Reid who was 4th last year … he took Knight to the brink in the Section A semis and has all the tools to break the bottom side of the bracket.