Hixson Wrestlers Claim Region 5 Duals

Wildcats Top Signal Mtn., 57-12

Friday, January 17, 2014
B.B. Branton

Hixson senior Grayson Layne has his hand raised by referee Mike Craft after a major decision.
photo by Robin Layne

Hixson coach Garrick Hall had one question for his wrestlers prior to the Region 5 showdown with Signal Mountain Friday night.

“Do you want to be the team that ends our run (of six straight years) to the state duals? tWe have worked too hard to break the streak.”

To a wrestler, the host Wildcats said no way and then went out and backed it up with a 57-12 win against the previously undefeated Eagles (now 10-1).

“We did not want to be the team to sit home during the state duals and we made sure we wrestled our best tonight,” said Hixson senior Grayson Layne (132) who recorded a major decision in the final match of the night.

The Wildcats (20-5) came out a determined bunch using three pins and a forfeit win (match started at 138) for a quick 24-0 lead.

Jovarus Stegall, Ronny Huff and Landon Goforth had the falls for Hixson.

The Eagles, now in their seventh year of wrestling and closing in on a 100 team wins, won three of the next four weights, only to have Hixson sweep the final six weight classes.

Winners for Signal Mountain (10-1) were Seth Peterra (dec.) Cale Shelton (overtime win) and Micah Pressley (pin).

“Hixson wrestlers know to fight off their back and they were able to defend their region crown,” said Signal Mountain coach Joe Jellison.

“There were two overtime matches and two others decided by one point and we took two of the four and could have won all four.

‘’We need to learn how to win more of the close ones, but we are getting better and building a strong program.”

Peterra (170) scored late to win in regulation, while Shelton (195) got a quick takedown to win in overtime, while Pressley (220) recorded a fall.

197 and Counting: Hixson coach Garrick Hall needs three wins to reach 200 and can reach the magic number with a sweep of the quad meet Tuesday at home.

Senior Night: Next Thursday, Grayson Layne and Jovarrus Stegall will be honored before their final home matches of their careers.

Best Match I –

195 Hixson junior McKenzie Martin gave junior Cale Shelton all he could handle before Shelton scored the winning takedown nine seconds into overtime, 6-4.

Best Match II -

113 – Signal Mountain’s Warren Weaver scored a late third period takedown to force overtime, but Hixson freshman Cedric Harris scored the winning takedown in 35 seconds of the extra period.

Best Match III -

170 – Seth Peterra (SM) scored late to edge Chris Nicholson, 8-7, in a back-and-forth match

Hixson 57, Signal Mountain 12

138 – Jovarus Stegall (Hix) pinned Turner Wilferth, 2:39 … Hixson, 6-0

145 – Daegan Le (Hix) forfeit win … Hixson, 12-0

152 – Ronny Huff (Hix) pinned Brandy Haney, 4:57 … Hixson, 18-0

160 – Landon Goforth pinned (Hix) Kyler Kayanek, 3:04 … Hixson, 24-0

170 – Seth Peterra (SM) dec.

Chris Nicholson, 8-7 … Hixson, 24-3

182 – Dylan Bargerstock (Hix) forfeit win … Hixson, 30-3

195 – Cale Shelton (SM) dec. McKenzie Martin, 6-4 OT SV-1 … Hixson, 30-6

220 – Micah Pressley (SM) pinned Bubba Palacio, 3:17 … Hixson, 30-12