McDONOUGH -- Despite the strength of prep wrestling in Area 7-AAA, Flowery Branch coach Shane Lancaster has no illusions about this weekend's state sectionals tournament.
"We understand it's a whole new level of competition," Lancaster said. "Last week's Area Traditionals were tough, but this week is something different."
After battling against some of the better squads in Class AAA last week -- each other -- the top qualifiers from 7-AAA will now wrestle through the state sectionals at Eagles Landing High School in McDonough for the right to reach next weekend's state championships at the Gwinnett Arena.
This season represents the inaugural sectionals tournament -- the area's top four qualifiers originally went straight to the state championships. And Gilmer coach Sam Snider says it will ensure next week's championships at the Gwinnett Arena will be that much tougher.
"There won't be any easy first-round matches like there sometimes used to be," Snider noted, "because you'll have to be that much better just to get there. Also, the seeding will be better now, because everyone will have seen everyone who's going to state before we get there.
"You used to sometimes have championship matches in the quarterfinals or semifinals. Now, we should have the top two wrestlers separated from each other until the championship match."
Each Class' sectionals are split into two tournaments at two different sites. This weekend at Eagles Landing, and other sites, the top eight wrestlers from each weight class -- half of the 16 competitors in each group at the sectional -- will advance to the state championships.
Wrestling will begin on Friday, with each grappler participating in two matches. Win both, and you've essentially clinched your spot at the Gwinnett Arena and will wrestle on Saturday for seeding. Lose twice -- and while you're not out -- you'll have to go undefeated on Saturday to reach the championships.
"You don't want to lose two early," Lancaster said. "The ultimate goal is to win two matches."
Lancaster has several wrestlers whom he believes have an opportunity at doing just that.
"All of our guys have a shot, but, going in, I'd say Zach Cannon (112 pounds), Danny Bell (119), Brandon Dyer (130), and Ben Yu (152) each have the best chance to get to the championships," Lancaster said.
Snider, who has coached the Bobcats to two state traditional titles, also believes he has several wrestlers capable of making it out of the sectionals.
"Our 103, Justin Karr, our 140 Cody Bollinger and our 160 Christian Barnes will each be favored," Snider said. "Our 112, Jerry Plumley is also good, but that's probably the toughest class at the tournament."
Snider notes that, while team points won't be recorded at sectionals, he believes several 7-AAA wrestlers will make it to the next weekend.
"Flowery Branch and West Forsyth should do well too," Snider said. "They've got some very strong wrestlers."
White County, Pickens, Creekview and Lumpkin County also had wrestlers win their weight class at the Area Traditionals and will be favored headed into the sectionals.
-- AREA CLASS AAA SECTIONAL QUALIFIERS:
103 pounds: 1. Caleb Morris (White Co.); 2. Justin Karr (Gilmer); 3. Nick Lankford (Flowery Branch); 4 Cody Westray (West Forsyth).
112: 1. Grant Eddy (Creekview); 2. Zach Cannon (FB); 3. Jerry Plumley (Gilmer); 4 Anthony Brady (White Co).
119: 1. Danny Bell (FB); 2. Logan Herford (West Hall); 3. Wes Forrester (Lumpkin Co.); 4 Garrett Tedone (WF).
125: 1. Andy Rowland (Pickens); 2. Wes Adams (North Hall); 3. Tyler Lott (WF); 4 Joey Hinkle (Creekview).
130: 1. Evan Burchette (WF); 2. Brandon Dyer (FB); 3. Conner Comeaux (Chestatee); 4 Zach Horton (Gilmer).
135: 1. Chris Burnett (Lumpkin); 2. Santos Sanchez (Gilmer); 3. Joe Hulen (Creekview); 4 Edgar Acosta (Gainesville).
140: 1. Cody Bollinger (Gilmer); 2. Corey Hamilton (Creekview); 3. Eben Matthews (Pickens); 4 Shane Doster (NH).
145: 1. Tyler Everton (WF); 2. Jake McClendon (Creekview); 3. Jamal Payette (White); 4 Lee Cagle (Lumpkin).
152: 1. Ben Yu (FB); 2. Anthony Matthews (Pickens); 3. Graham Simmons (Gainesville); 4 Ross Anderskow (WF).
160: 1. Christian Barnes (Gilmer); 2. Matt Hatcher (WF); 3. Blake Limbaugh (White); 4 Cory Orr (FB).
171: 1. Jake McClure (Lumpkin); 2. Dustin Brunner (Pickens); 3. Andrew Smith (Gilmer); 4 Chris Amos (FB).
189: 1. Brandon Roberts (Lumpkin); 2. John Young (White); 3. Ed Villeda (Chestatee); 4 James Longino (Gilmer).
215: 1. Jeff Sayer (WF); 2. Travis Burton (Lumpkin); 3. Wesley Nestor (Gilmer); 4 Shannon Gooch (White).
285: 1. Dane Magnussen (WF); 2. Tyler Hamilton (White); 3. Nathan Riddle (Creekview); 4 Stephen Flanagan (NH).
-- NOTE: One of the two Class AA sectionals will also be taking place at Jefferson High this weekend and will include several area grapplers, including many from the host school. Also competing will be Riverside Military Academy wrestlers Drew Goodwin, Evan Sarhan, Sebastian Mims and Colton Keig.
Sunday
January 12th, 2025
1:38PM
