The franchise quarterback with an opportunity for a game-winning drive, the big power-hitter coming to the plate with a chance to end the game with a single swing, the teams best shooter with the ball or puck as the clock ticks to zero.

Often, coaches are able to manage the game to put those players in those positions. But sometimes, as was the case at Eisenhower High School Tuesday, it’s just pure luck.

A random drawing held before the Region 3 dual match between Union City and Eisenhower at the John M. Niese Gymnasium set the starting weight class for the evening at 120 pounds.

Following a Union City pinfall victory at 285, the Knights trailed 34-28 with only Easton Hedman (106) and Logan Jaquay (113) left to wrestle.

Eisenhower's Garrett Head controls Union City's Auston Dolan during their 152-pound match at Eisenhower High School, Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018. Head will try to help lead Eisenhower to a berth in the state tournament during the District 10 duals today.

The pair only needed a combined 1:56 seconds to dispatch their opponents and give the Knights (5-0, 5-0 Region 3) a 40-34 win.

“It’s a nice way to end with those two,” Eisenhower coach Kris Black said. “They’re having good years and they did what they needed to do.”

It appeared early on as though the final matches may not matter as Union City (4-2, 4-2) raced out to an 18-0 lead on the strength of three straight pins. William Burgess opened the contest with a 57-second win over Jake Williams at 120.

Josh Bortz battled Judah Gardner to the waning seconds of the 125-pound match. Gardner got a takedown in the first period and Bortz nearly had a late escape, but couldn’t complete it before time ran out. Bortz chose the down position to start the second and escaped quickly, then shot and got a takedown to take a 3-2 lead. Bortz allowed Gardner to get back to neutral later in the period and the move proved costly as Gardner was able to secure a takedown just before time expired to take a 5-3 lead into the third. Gardner reversed from the down position to start the third and caught Bortz trying to escape late. Bortz fought from his back as time ticked away, but Gardner was able to press his shoulders to the mat with 10 seconds remaining to pick up critical bonus points for the Bears.

Union City’s Tallin Henry controlled Nate Holt for much of the 132-pound matchup, but Holt made Henry earn the pin as he fought until the final minute of the third period before Henry was able to secure the pin and put the Bears up 18-0.

The way the match began had the Knights faithful in a shocked silence. The wrestlers, however, were able to maintain their composure and continue to battle.

“I told the kids whether we start fast or start slow to just focus on your job,” Black said. “They stuck with it.”

Sam Holt got the Knights on the board at 138. Holt built a 10-0 lead over Shad Haskins and was trying to get a tech fall, but was caught going for a takedown and Haskins was able to get a takedown and earn a near fall to limit Holt to a 10-5 decision, and the Knights to just three points.

Garrett Head followed with a second period pin over Auston Dolan at 145 and Spencer Head decked Austin Jaquith in the third period of their 152-pound match to get Eisenhower within three at 18-15.

After missing a month of action, Alex Barnett returned to the lineup in a big way at 160 pounds. Barnett was able to pick up a 17-9 major decision over Esteban Wardman to give the Knights a 19-18 lead.

“That was big,” Black said.

Gavin Henry got the lead right back, pinning Ethan Chambers at 170 and Marshall Vantassel picked up a 9-1 major decision over Justin Hagberg at 182 to put the Bears up 28-19.

Matt Huling wasted little time getting the Knights back in it, needing just 37 seconds to pin Ryan Newton at 195.

Joe Bauer battled both Tyler Hedderick at 220, and his own body, and came away with a 4-0 decision to tie the match at 28-28.

“Bauer’s been sick for the last three days,” Black said. “He comes in and wins a match against a solid kid. That says a lot about him and what kind of teammate he is. That was humongous.”

Matt Long dispatched Brandon Gourley at 285 to put the Bears back on top by six. Then Hedman and Jaquay went to work.

Hedman needed just 46 seconds to deck Chris Vantassel and tie the match at 34-34.

Jaquay needed only a decision victory to give the Knights a win, but the sophomore ended things emphatically. After jockeying with Jayson Soliwoda for position early in the period, Jaquay got a takedown and immediately flipped Soliwoda to his back. It took a few moments for Jaquay to apply enough pressure, but he put Solowoda’s shoulders to the mat and when the referee’s hand came down the Knights faithful erupted.

“People say they like close matches. I don’t think I like close matches,” Black laughed. “Our motto this year has been ‘Find a way.’ They keep finding a way. It’s a testament to the whole team. I couldn’t be happier.”

The Knights will face another tough test Thursday when they travel to Harbor Creek for a battle between region unbeatens.

Regardless of the outcome, the Knights have already topped last season’s region win total and will pose a strong threat to win the region outright.

“We’re starting to get confidence, and that’s a big deal,” Black said.

– – –

EISENHOWER 40, UNION CITY 34

120: William Burgess (U) pin Jake Williams, :57

125: Judah Gardner (U) pin Josh Bortz, 5:50

132: Tallin Henry (U) pin Nate Holt, 5:11

138: Sam Holt (E) dec. Shad Haskins, 10-5

145: Garrett Head (E) pin Auston Dolan, 2:21

152: Spencer Head (E) pin Austin Jaquith, 5:20

160: Alex Barnett (E) maj. dec. Esteban Wardman, 17-9

170: Gavin Henry (U) pin Ethan Chambers, :47

182: Marshall Vantassel (U) maj. dec. Justin Hagberg, 9-1

195: Matt Huling (E) pin Ryan Newton, :37

220: Josef Bauer (E) dec. Tyler Hedderick, 4-0

285: Matt Long (U) pin Brandon Gourley, :08

106: Easton Hedman (E) pin Chris Vantassel, :46

113: Logan Jaquay (E) pin Jayson Soliwoda, 1:10

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