Heavyweight Title

Ram fans were in the house!!

Tuesday evening's match between the Southern Rams and the Williamsport Wildcats had all the makings of a heavyweight title fight.  Each team is highly ranked in the state of Maryland.  Each has a number of highly ranked individual wrestlers.  Each team is full of tough kids backed up back tough JV wrestlers.  The match ups were set and everyone knew we were in for and exciting, very competitive evening of wrestling under the spotlight in the Ram Arena.

Aiden Schwab vs Zach Starr, two of Maryland's best

The match started at 106 in a bout that featured two top ranked wrestlers.  For Southern, it was the 8th ranked Aiden Schwab who's record was 28-3.  Williamsport sent out 20th ranked Zach Starr who was 34-1 on the season.  Starr got out to an early 6-1 lead but Schwab battled back.  After scoring 2 near fall points in the 2nd period, the Ram wrestler was down 6-3 heading into the 3rd.  Starr was in the top position but gave up an early escape.  Schwab was down 2 with time running down but was able to score a takedown to send the match into overtime.  In the extra period, Schwab shot and scored to pull out the victory and give his team an early 3-0 lead.

Senior Nate Tasker in control

Wiliamsport's Zaden Meyer scored a major decision at 113 and Southern's Brogan Kealy won by decision at 120.  At 126, senior co-captain Nate Tasker picked up a big pin for the Rams to stretch the lead to 12-4.  At 132, Southern's Elisha Skipper and Williamsport's Will Custer battled tough for 6 minutes with Skipper coming out on top of a 4-2 decision.  The bout at 138 was just as close with the Wildcats' Malaki Cunningham scoring a 7-6 decision.  Southern led 15-7 after 6 bouts.

Jace Guy with another pin.

The bout at 145 featured two more state ranked wrestlers.  For Southern, it was 9th ranked Jake Sweitzer (29-2) and for Williamsport, it was 17th ranked Darby Bryant (26-9).  In this match, Sweitzer built a 10-0 lead and finished off Bryant with a 12-4 major decision, 4 valuable points for the team and his 30th win on the season.  Jace Guy did what Jace Guy does, scoring a pin at 152 to add to Southern's lead, bringing the score to 25-7.

At 160, Southern's Declan McCann battled tough against the 8th ranked Nate Anderson (29-6).  In the end, the match was decided on a locked hands call with Anderson coming out on top 2-1.  The bout at 170 was just as close between Hunter Sanders and Durise Morton.  The last time these two met, Sanders came out on top in the clinching bout at the Musselman tournament.  This time, Morton was able to cling to a 1-0 lead and fought off a late takedown attempt by Sanders that didn't quite beat the final buzzer.  Williamsport scored a fall at 182 and the Rams lead was cut to 25-19 with three bouts remaining.

King Cole working for the pin

At 195, senior Hunter Park built a 7-0 lead before scoring the fall early in the second period to give the Rams a 12 point lead with 2 bouts remaining.  Williamsport won by pin at 220 and it all came down to the heavyweight bout between undefeated and 7th ranked Tayquon Johnson from Williamsport and 14th ranked Cole Sweitzer (29-2) for the Rams.  Johnson scored a first period takedown to take a 2-0 lead.  The two giants battled to a scoreless 2nd period and Sweitzer chose the top position in the third with the goal of turning his opponent and earning the win.  Despite Sweitzer's best efforts, Johnson would not budge from the bottom and held on the for the 2-0 victory bringing the final team score to 31-28 in favor of the undefeated Southern Rams.

The Rams take their 32-0 record on the road Thursday for a match with the University Hawks in Morgantown.  JV wrestling begins at 5:30 and varsity starts at 7pm.

Southern 31 - Williamsport 28

106 - Aiden Schwab (SG) dec Zach Starr (W) 8-6 ot
113 - Zaden Meyer (W) m dec Colum McCann (SG) 10-0
120 - Brogan Kealy (SG) dec Brandan Myers (W) 6-3
126 - Nate Tasker (SG) pins Shimon Aguayo (W) 3:36
132 - Elisha Skipper (SG) dec Will Custer (W) 4-2
138 - Malaki Cunningham (W) dec Joey McComas (SG) 7-6
145 - Jake Sweitzer (SG) m dec Darby Bryant (W) 12-4
152 - Jace Guy (SG) pins Tyler Crain (W) 1:22
160 - Nate Anderson (W) dec Declan McCann (SG) 2-1
170 - Durise Morton (W) dec Hunter Sanders (SG) 1-0
182 - Alex McCray (W) pins Cole Baker (SG) 4:43
195 - Hunter Park (SG) pins Bleron Rugi (W) 2:19
220 - Brandon Oyster (W) pins Chris Mersing (SG) 1:23
285 - Tayqun Johnson (W) dec Cole Sweitzer (SG) 2-0

Great Night Up North

The day started with a Pep Rally at the school organized by the cheerleaders

The Southern Rams entered Thursday night's contest at Northern Garrett with a perfect 30-0 record on the season and the goal of scoring another big win to keep the streak alive.  The #StriveforFive season is in full swing and the Rams are hungry for another state title.

The evening began with three JV contest which all went in our favor.  Kyle Horvath, Jaxsen Tasker and Brayden Warnick all registered wins against the Huskies.  The stage was set for the main event with the dual meet beginning at the 120 pound weight class.

Nate Tasker working a cradle

Brogan Kealy and Nate Tasker scored first period pins to get things started for the Rams at 120 and 126.  At 132, Northern was able to squeak out a win by decision to make the team score 12-3 in favor of the visiting Rams.  At 138, Evan Paugh filled in for an injured Joey McComas and was able to turn a tight match into a second period win by fall for Southern.  Jake Sweitzer followed that with a quick stick of his own and the Rams led 24-3.

Another pin by Jake Sweitzer

The bout at 152 featured one of the top wrestlers from each team squaring off head to head.  Southern's Jace Guy and Northern's Hunter Wilhelm took the mat, ready for action.  Guy was able to score a quick takedown to take the lead but Wilhelm was able to escape back to neutral.  With time running down in the 1st period, Guy was able to score another takedown to go up 4-1.  The second period was all Jace Guy as he chose bottom, was able to score a reversal and pick up 3 near fall points to take a 9-1 lead going into the third.  Wilhelm chose neutral and Guy scored another takedown and rode out the period on top for the 11-1 victory.

Jace Guy on his way to a major decision

Declan McCann and Hunter Sanders each won exciting bouts at 160 and 170 to bring Southern's lead to 37-3.  Northern scored a fall at 182, but Southern got pins at 195 and 285 and a forfeit at 220 to bring the team score to 55-9 heading into the final two bouts.  The match at 106 was the third meeting of the season between the Ram's Aiden Schwab and the Huskies' Shane Fink.  Like the previous two, Schwab came out on top in dominating fashion, this time winning a 10-3 decision.  The evening ended with Colum McCann winning by forfeit bringing the final team score to 64-9 in favor of the visiting Southern Rams.

Declan McCann wins a 2-0 decision

The win brings the team record to 31-0 on the season.  Photos courtesy of Lindsay Milliken

Hunter Sanders eventually pins Hunter Meyers

Southern 64 - Northern 9

106 - Aiden Schwab (SG) dec Shane Fink (NG) 10-3
113 - Colum McCann (SG) via forfeit
120 - Brogan Kealy (SG) pins Logan Mason (NG) :56
126 - Nate Tasker (SG) pins Chase Taylor (NG) 1:27
132 - Jamison Warnick (NG) dec Elisha Skipper (SG) 4-2
138 - Evan Paugh (SG) pins Josh Thomas (NG) 3:59
145 - Jake Sweitzer (SG) pins Nick Opel (NG) :45
152 - Jace Guy (SG) m dec Hunter Wilhelm (NG) 11-1
160 - Declan McCann (SG) dec Hunter Dale (NG) 2-0
170 - Hunter Sanders (SG) pins Hunter Meyers (NG) 2:48
182 - Sam Beeman (NG) pins Nathan Sweitzer (SG) :51
195 - Cameron Glover (SG) pins Matt Casteel (NG) 1:03
220 - Hunter Park (SG) via forfeit
285 - Cole Sweitzer (SG) pins Micha Rollen (NG) 2:16

Rolling Along

Jake Sweitzer, ready for action

Wednesday evening was our annual tri-match against the Keyser Golden Tornados and the Fort Hill Sentinels.  This season's edition was hosted by Keyser.  We entered the contest with a perfect 28-0 record and were in search of another 30 win season.

The Rams faced off against Fort Hill in round 1 and had little trouble mowing through the Sentinel line up, coming away with an 81-0 victory.  The match started at 120 where Brogan Kealy scored a first period fall.  He was followed by Nate Tasker and Elisha Skipper who also picked up quick pins.  After 2 forfeits and another fall by Jake Sweitzer, Southern led 36-0 as we were set for the best match of the dual, featuring Fort Hill's top wrestler Paxton Wertz against junior Declan McCann.  McCann scored first but Wertz tied it up and the first period ended 2-2.  McCann scored 3 in the 2nd and added 2 more in the 3rd to take a 7-2 lead.  Wertz was able to score 2 more points bringing the final score to 7-4.  It was all quick pins and forfeits from there with the final score ending at 81-0 in Southern's favor.

Jace Guy in a battle against Keyser

The second match of the evening featured the Rams taking on the home team.  The dual started at 126 where Nate Tasker scored a quick pin and was followed by two decisions by Elisha Skipper and Joey McComas.  Jake Sweitzer scored another pin, Jace Guy and Hunter Sanders won by decision and Declan scored a tech fall and the Rams led 29-0.  Keyser got on the scoreboard with wins at 182 and 195, but that was the end of their scoring.  Southern scored pins at 220, 285, 106, 113 and 120 for finish off Keyser 59-9.

Colum McCann in control

The Rams are now 30-0 on the season and are back in action tonight as we travel north to take on the Huskies at Northern High School.  Wrestling begins at 7pm.

Southern 81 - Fort Hill 0

106 - Aiden Schwab (SG) via forfeit
113 - Colum McCann (SG) via forfeit
120 - Brogan Kealy (SG) pins Noah Bombasi (FH) 1:59
126 - Nate Tasker (SG) pins Hunter Hamilton (FH) 1:30
132 - Elisha Skipper (SG) pins TJ Lee (FH) 1:35
138 - Joey McComas (SG) via forfeit
145 - Jake Sweitzer (SG) pins Alex Anderson (FH) :51
152 - Jace Guy (SG) via forfeit
160 - Declan McCann (SG) dec Paxton Wertz (FH) 7-4
170 - Hunter Sanders (SG) pins Nathan Dorman (FH) 5:58
182 - Nathan Sweitzer (SG) via forfeit
195 - Cameron Glover (SG) pins Reece Vogtman (FH) 1:17
220 - Chris Mersing (SG) pins Aiden Lepley (FH) :12
285 - Cole Sweitzer (SG) via forfeit

Southern 59 - Keyser 9

106 - Aiden Schwab (SG) pins EJ Guy (K) 1:22
113 - Colum McCann (SG) pins Stone Kesner (K) 2:32
120 - Brogan Kealy (SG) pins Landon Mason (K) 1:29
126 - Nate Tasker (SG) pins Jacob Hickey (K) :47
132 - Elisha Skipper (SG) dec JoJo Fracasso (K) 10-4
138 - Joey McComas (SG) dec Brenden Pattison (K) 2-1
145 - Jake Sweitzer (SG) pins Dakota McKneele (K) 1:49
152 - Jace Guy (SG) dec Tyler Mason (K) 5-0
160 - Declan McCann (SG) tech Zion Powell (K) 15-0
170 - Hunter Sanders (SG) dec Aaron Lyons (K) 6-5
182 - Tristin Fox (K) pins Nathan Sweitzer (SG) :31
195 - Adam Kephart (K) dec Cameron Glover (SG) 2-0
220 - Chris Mersing (SG) pins Alex Oates (K) 1:01
285 - Cole Sweitzer (SG) pins Jimmy Ratliff (K) 1:20