In the late 1960s and early 1970s it was prep wrestling’s version of the Holy Wars as Notre Dame and Father broke bread together and then did everything but break each other in half in battling for wrestling supremacy.
Today in Holy Wars II, it’s Father Ryan and Christian Brothers fighting for the Holy Grail.
The 16th annual TSSAA D-II state traditional tournament is this weekend - Feb.
15-16 at the Williamson County Ag Expo Center in Franklin - and the two Catholic schools will battle it out for the title.
TSSAA State Traditional Wrestling Tournament: Feb. 15-16 in Franklin
Location: Williamson County Ag Expo
Tickets: $10 each day … Parking: $5 each day
D-I tourney starts Thursday ... D-II and Girls' Invitational starts Friday
Friday: 10 a.m. - Quarterfinals: … 6 p.m. – Semifinals D-I, D-II and girls invitational
Saturday: 10 a.m – Consolations and medal matches for 3rd – 6th
11 a.m. – Girls medal matches and championship finals
5 p.m. – Championship Finals, D-I and D-II
With a solid senior class (nine in the tournament), the Purple Wave from this side of the Mississippi is favored to take the team traditional title with a young Father Ryan team (six, freshman and sophomores) ready to defend its 2012 championship.
A pair of top 50 national rankings, two state duals crowns and wins over D-I state champions Soddy Daisy and Cleveland the past two years, respectively, is impressive, but the missing piece to the puzzle for coach Chris Lewis and company is a state traditional championship.
Baylor and McCallie could have multiple champions and several medalists, but don't have the depth to contend for the title.
Teams with Returning Medalists
Christian Brothers: No.1 seeds (4) … No.2 seeds (4)
Past champions: 2 – Oliver, Kaleb Baker
Returning Medalists: 9
Father Ryan: No.1 seeds (2) … No.2 seeds (3)
Past champions: 1 – Mike Akers
Returning Medalists: 7
Baylor: No.1 seeds (2) … No.2 seeds (5)
defending champions: 1 – Brandon Brunner
Returning medalists: 7
McCallie: No.1 seeds (2) … No.2 seeds (2)
Defending champions: 2 – Alex Elsea, Adam Connell
Returning medalists: 6
MBA: No.1 seeds (2) … No.2 seeds (0)
Returning medalists: 6
Brentwood Academy: No.1 seeds (1) … No.2 seeds (0)
Defending champions: 1 – Amos Mason
Returning medalists: 4
St. Benedict: No.1 seeds (0) … No.2 seeds (0)
Returning medalists: 6
BGA: No.1 seeds (0) … No.2 seeds (0)
Returning medalists: 1
Pope John Paul: No.1 seeds (0) … No.2 seeds (0)
Returning medalists: 1
Fayette Academy: No.1 seeds (0) … No.2 seeds (0)
Returning medalists: 1
DCA: No.1 seeds (0) … No.2 seeds (0)
Returning medalists: 1
Brief look at Weight by Weight … there will be upsets and stunners but here is what is should happen based on seeds.
106: Baylor’s Michael Murphy and Ryan’s Trey Chalifoux should make the finals, but Chalifoux will have to beat McCallie’s Addison Cornell in the semis
113: defending champ Elijah Oliver (Christian Brothers) is the clear favorite …
120: defending champ Alex Elsea (McCallie) is top seed but has three other medalists in the weight … John Santi (CBHS) and Michael Eckhart (Ryan) should have a great semis
126: Nick Gray (CBHS) and Hal Fisher (Ryan) are top two seeds … could be a big match for Ryan if team score is close on Saturday night.
132: three state champs in one weight class – Baylor’s Brandon Brunner (3), McCallie’s Adam Connell (1) and Ryan’s Mike Akers
138: Ryan moves Patrick Cosgrove down in hopes of a title and team points … could have CBHS match- up in the semis
145: Ryan’s Mark Marchetti’s last chance at a title and could face Luke Parish (100 career wins) from Christian Bros. in finals
152: Kaleb Baker (CBHS) goes for third title
160: Baylor’s Bryson Popp and Brandon Hataway (CBHS) should meet in finals
170: UTC commitment Barrett Walthall (CBHS) and Baylor’s Ryan Parker could be re-match from state duals
182: McCallie’s Nathan Hoodenpyle and Baylor’s Houston Clements should meet in finals and re-match from overtime dual match won by Hoodenpyle
195: MBA has been known over the years for solid upper weights … MBA’s Franklin Garston and Corbin McOlgan CBHS) are two seniors seeking a title
220: BA’s Amos Mason goes for third title
285: five medalists in this weight … upper bracket semis could be MBA’s Jashon Robertson and Drayke Armstrong (CBHS)
Thursday: a more detailed look at D-II by weight class
Contact B.B. Branton at william.branton@comcast.net