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Knights take down Dragons in fierce battle

Warren’s Liam Stevenson checks the clock while trying to put Eisenhower’s Ethan Chambers on his shoulders during their 170-pound match at Eisenhower High School, Thursday, Feb. 8, 2018. Stevenson earned a hard fought 9-7 decision in overtime.

There are many fierce rivalries among Warren County sports teams. There might not be a better one right now than when Eisenhower and Warren wrestlers lock up.

The standing room only crowd at Eisenhower High School Thursday night got the privilege of witnessing first-hand just how much the annual battle means to each team. Nearly every contest went the distance, but in the end the Knights made an emphatic statement by wrapping up their regular season with a 51-15 win over the Dragons.

“In these county matches, scores go out the window, records go out the window,” Eisenhower coach Kris Black said.

“This was a nice, good old-fashioned wrestling match,” Warren coach Dean Johnson said. “I commend Eisenhower.”

The Knights started the contest with a pair of major decisions. Sam Holt defeated John Fankhouser 10-2 at 138 and Garrett Head was a point away from earning a technical fall, but had to settle for a 16-2 major decision over Kyle Swick at 145.

Eisenhower’s Spencer Head (top) and Warren’s Owen Balas will be competing in the District 10 Class 2A and 3A wrestling championships at Sharon and McDowell on Friday and Saturday.

“Those first couple of matches could have been tech falls,” Black said.

The bout at 152 pounds was one of the most anticipated contests of the season and didn’t disappoint. Warren’s Owen Balas stepped onto the mat to square off with Eisenhower’s Spencer Head.

After a bit of a feeling out process, both wrestlers nearly had the other pinned in the first period. Head first took down Balas and got a near fall before Balas reversed and nearly had Head pinned. The period ended in a 5-5 tie. Head took the down position to start the second and got a reversal to take a 7-5 lead into the third. From the neutral position, Balas got a takedown to start the third. Head reversed into a 2-point near fall late in the period. Balas was able to get the reversal, but ran out of time trying to turn Head on his back.

“What a match,” Johnson exclaimed.

Head walked away with an emotional 11-9 win.

Eisenhower's Nate Holt lifts Warren's Donovan Fiscus for a takedown during their 132-pound match at Eisenhower High School, Thursday, Feb. 8, 2018. Holt pinned Fiscus in the second period to cap off a 51-15 Knights victory.

Head’s father has been dealing with a medical emergency, but was able to be in attendance for Spencer’s Senior Night.

“It was awesome,” Spencer said of earning a tough win. “It was a great experience, a great match.”

Alex Barnett kept the Eisenhower momentum going with a 19-4 tech fall over Jame Douvlos at 160.

At 170, Liam Stevenson and Ethan Chambers put on another display that had the capacity crowd on the edge of their seats. Stevenson began the match with a takedown, but Chambers reversed and they went into the second tied at 2-2. Chambers began the period in the down position, got a reversal and was inches away from putting Stevenson’s shoulders on the mat. Stevenson survived the period, but trailed 7-2 going into the third. Chambers looked like he was going to ride out the period, but Stevenson slipped out for a reversal and had Chambers inches away from defeat with a near fall to tie the match at 7-7. Chambers nearly escaped but Stevenson was able to hold on and the match went to overtime. In the sudden death overtime, the wrestlers went to the mat jockeying for the key position to earn a takedown. Both benches were screaming for the two points in their respective favor, but the official called a stalemate with neither wrestler scoring. The pair locked up again, and again went to the mat. This time, Stevenson was able to get position and earned the takedown and 9-7 victory.

“That was fun to watch,” Black said. “All four of those guys (Head, Balas, Chambers and Stevenson) are getting ready for the postseason and those are the matches that get you better. Get you ready.”

Warren's Dominic Caprino tries to turn Eisenhower's Justin Hagberg on his shoulders during their 182-pound match at Eisenhower High School, Thursday, Feb. 8, 2018. Caprino earned a second period pin for the Dragons, but the Knights won the match 51-15.

Chambers and Stevenson showed both the intensity and respect this rivalry brings out in both teams. Stevenson flexed and gave a fist pump to the Warren faithful in attendance immediately after the final whistle. But the duo showed the mutual respect they had for each other by sharing an embrace after shaking hands.

Dominic Caprino picked up Warren’s first pin of the night, decking Justin Hagberg midway through the second period. Caprino’s victory brought the Dragons in striking distance with the Knights ahead 16-9.

Matt Huling’s 11-3 major decision over Joey Arnold at 195 swung the pendelum back in Eisenhower’s favor. Joey Bauer needed just 20 seconds to put it squarely in the Knights’ favor with his win over Zack Patz at 220.

Matt Ristau tried to swing it back to the Dragons with his first-period pin of Brandon Gourley, but the Dragons forfeit at 106 meant they would have to win out to come away with a win.

Logan Jaquay made sure that wouldn’t happen.

Jaquay squared off with Ryan Madigan at 113. It took Jaquay until the third period to find the right combination, but he pinned Madigan at 4:28 to secure the Eisenhower team victory.

Jake Williams’ second period escape was the only point scored in the 120-pound contest, but it was the only one he would need to get a decision over Avery Smith. Josh Bortz followed with a 13-3 major decision over Alex Anderson at 126 and Nate Holt closed out the match with a second-period pin of Donovan Fiscus.

Despite the loss, Johnson still had a lot of positives to take away.

“I’m proud of the boys,” he said. “That’s a quality team and this was a lot closer than the score would indicate. Our young guns are coming along.”

Black too had high praise for both teams.

“Warren came to wrestle. My hat’s off to them,” he said. “Our guys did a good job getting the bonus points. I’m proud of the guys.”

Warren will have to regroup quickly as the Dragons travel to Corry tomorrow, while the Knights now turn their attention to the postseason, beginning with sectionals next weekend.

“We need to get ready and get better,” Black said. “We want to peak in the postseason.”

– – –

Eisenhower 51, Warren 15

138: Sam Holt (E) maj. dec. John Fankhouser, 10-2

145: Garrett Head (E) maj. dec. Kyle Swick, 16-2

152: Spencer Head (E) dec. Owen Balas, 11-9

160: Alex Barnett (E) tech. fall Jamo Douvlos, 19-4

170: Liam Stevenson (W) dec. Ethan Chambers, 9-7, OT

182: Dominic Caprino (W) pin Justin Hagberg, 2:55

195: Matt Huling (E) maj. dec. Joey Arnold, 11-3

220: Joey Bauer (E) pin Zack Patz, 0:20

285: Matt Ristau (W) pin Brandon Gourley, 1:17

106: Easton Hedman (E) via forfeit

113: Logan Jaquay (E) pin Ryan Madigan, 4:28

120: Jake Williams (E) dec. Avery Smith, 1-0

126: Josh Bortz (E) maj. dec. Alex Anderson, 13-3

132: Nate Holt (E) pin Donovan Fiscus, 2:22

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