Friday Night Lights - wrestling edition.
County rivals Eisenhower and Youngsville clashed in a rare Friday night dual match at Youngsville Area High School with the Knights coming out on the winning end of a 45-27 decision.
The Knights are now 2-0 on the young season while a youthful Eagles team falls to 0-2.
Article Photos
Times Observer photo by Allen Seybert
Wrapped up
Eisenhower’s Richard Knisley, top, prepares to spin around Youngsville’s Tristin Gibson during the 145-pound bout of Friday’s wrestling match at Youngsville High School. Eisenhower won the county rivalry match, 45-27.
"We received a couple of forfeits, but also beat them on the mat which was nice to see," said Eisenhower wrestling coach Kiel Woodburn. "We came out a little flat and weren't firing on all cylinders, but the ugly wins count all the same. Any time you can pick up a victory against a rival like Youngsville, it feels good."
The Eagles actually won the first two matches of the evening that were contested on the mat. Eagles freshman Hayden Victor pinned Ike's Julian Caldwell at 106 pounds and Chester Ciukaj edged Steve Haner, 6-5, at 120 pounds. In between, the Knights' Alex Wolcott received a forfeit win at 113 pounds and the Eagles led 9-6.
Eisenhower would pull ahead with wins at 126 and 132 pounds. First, Jeb Fedorchuk logged a first-period pin of Youngsville's Chandler Flinn and Graham Johnson followed that with a forfeit win at 132 pounds. The Eagles stopped the bleeding at 138 pounds where sophomore Aaron Hoover earned a hard-fought 12-6 decision over Tyler Gourley.
Hoover's win cut the Ike lead to 18-12, but the Knights would go on to click off three straight victories to take a 36-12 stranglehold on the match. All three wins came via the pin - Richard Knisley pinned Tristin Gibson at 145 pounds, Robbie Wilston pinned Wyatt Johnson at 152 pounds and Louie Head pinned Kris Wilcox at 160 pounds.
Youngsville won three of the final five matches of the evening, but never seriously challenged the Knights' lead. Zach Ishman received a forfeit at 170 pounds, Jeremy Lyon won a 10-5 decision over Ike's Cade Hefferman at 182 pounds and Jaykup Durlin pinned Hunter Kepple at the 2:40 mark of the 220-pound bout.
Ike responded with a Jake Johnson first-period pin of Stone Sivak at 195 pounds and a 3-0 decision victory for Hunter Kepple over Youngsville's Austin Slocum at heavyweight.
"I was very happy with the performance of our seniors," said Woodburn. "Every senior that took the mat tonight was victorious. They earned a win during their last match against Youngsville. That's something they will never forget."
Youngsville coach Scott Ishman was pleased with team's performance despite the losing effort.
"Our strategy kind of worked, but we didn't get the results we wanted in some areas," said Ishman. "The kids wrestled hard and wrestled with intensity tonight after coming out a little flat on Tuesday. I'm very proud of that."
Eisenhower returns to action Tuesday, hosting Fort LeBoeuf. The Eagles wrestle that same night, visiting Corry.
Eisenhower 45, Youngsville 27
106: Hayden Victor (Y) p. Julian Caldwell (E), 2:49
113: Alex Wolcott (E) wbf.
120: Chester Ciukaj (E) d. Steve Haner (E), 6-5
126: Jeb Fedorchuk (E) p. Chandler Flinn (Y), 1:15
132: Graham Johnson (E) wbf.
138: Aaron Hoover (Y) d. Tyler Gourley (E), 12-6
145: Richard Knisley (E) p. Tristin Gibson (Y), 4:26
152: Robbie Wilston (E) p. Wyatt Johnson (Y), 1:12
160: Louie Head (E) p. Kris Wilcox (Y), 1:40
170: Zach Ishman (Y) wbf.
182: Jeremy Lyon (Y) d. Cade Hefferman (E), 10-5
195: Jake Johnson (E) p. Stone Sivak (Y), 1:21
220: Jaykup Durlin (Y) p. Hunter Kepple (E), 2:40
285: Dylan Raines (E) d. Austin Slocum (Y), 3-0