The Dragons missed a couple opportunities to pick up extra points and it cost them as the Bulldogs rallied for a 40-27 win.

“I knew it would be close,” Johnson said.

Redbank Valley opened the meet with Brayden Altobelli earning a 15-2 major decision over Alex Anderson at 126 and Hunter Martz getting a 20-4 tech fall against Donovan Fiscus at 132. The Bulldogs quickly had a 9-0 advantage.

Undaunted, the Dragons picked up their first points with John Fankhouser’s forfeit win at 138.

Times Observer photo by Brian Hagberg Warren’s Owen Balas locks Redbank Valley’s Noah Anderson’s arms while trying for a pin during their 152-pound match at Warren Area High School, Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2018. Balas pinned Anderson in 1:48.

Zack Zinger came out aggressively against Coltin Bartley at 145. Zinger nearly had Bartley decked, but settled for an 8-3 decision to tie the match at 9-9.

“We were hoping for a fall there,” Johnson said.

Owen Balas got the fall for the Dragons at 152, dispatching Noah Anderson in 1:38.

Warren’s Jamo Douvlos and Redbank Valley’s Bryan Layton had a back and forth contest. Douvlos nearly had Layton pinned in the opening seconds, taking Layton down straight to his back. Layton escaped later in the period, but Douvlos took a 4-1 lead into the second. Layton chose to start the second in the down position and reversed Douvlos to pull within 1, at 4-3. Douvlos took the down position to start the third and looked like he would escape with the 4-3 win. The official called Douvlos for stalling with 10 seconds to go in the match, tieing it at 4-4. Douvlos nearly escaped in the final seconds, but the match went to overtime. Douvlos ended the match the same way he started it, taking Layton down to his back and nearly picking up the pinfall before settling for the 9-4 decision.

“Jamo did a nice job,” Johnson said.

Times Observer photo by Brian Hagberg Warren’s Liam Stevenson watches the official while Redbank Valley’s Hutson Martz takes position during their 170-pound match at Warren Area High School, Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2018. Stevenson defeated Martz, 7-0.

Liam Stevenson had his way with Autson Martz at 170, rolling to a 7-0 win. Dominic Caprino picked up Warren’s second win via forfeit at 182 and the Dragons looked to be well on their way, up 27-9.

Redbank Valley saved its best for last; however, and the Bulldogs wouldn’t surrender another team point the rest of the way.

Kobe Bonanno earned an 11-2 major decision over Brukhe Tagba at 195. Despite the loss, Johnson was pleased with the young Tagba’s performance.

“He fought real hard and did a nice job,” Johnson said.

Logan Minich and Aiden Gardner kept swinging things in the Bulldogs’ favor picking up pinfall victories at 220 and 285, respectively.

A Warren forfeit at 106 put Redbank Valley up 31-27 and set up a key contest at 113 between the Bulldogs Mason Songer and the Dragons Ryan Madigan.

The match lasted just 28 seconds as Songer was able to hook Madigan, spin him down and put his shoulders to the mat in the blink of an eye.

“That match was pivotal,” Johnson said.

Ethan Wiant closed out the win with a 6-1 decision over Avery Smith.

The Dragons travel to Corry next Wednesday.

– – –

Redbank Valley 40, Warren 27

126: Brayden Altobelli (R) maj. dec. Alex Anderson, 15-2

132: Hunter Martz (R) tech fall Donovan Fiscus, 20-4

138: John Fankhouser (W) via forfeit

145: Zack Zinger (W) dec. Coltin Bartley, 8-3

152: Owen Balas (W) pin Noah Anderson, 1:38

160: Jamo Douvlos (W) dec. Bryan Layton, 9-4, OT

170: Liam Stevenson (W) dec. Autson Martz, 7-0

182: Dominic Caprino (W) via forfeit

195: Kobe Bonanno (R) maj. dec. Brukhe Tagba, 11-2

220: Logan Minich (R) pin Thomas Lucks, 2:54

285: Aiden Gardner (R) pin Matt Ristau, 1:21

106: Trenton Rupp (R) via forfeit

113: Mason Songer (R) pin Ryan Madigan, 0:28

120: Ethan Wiant (R) dec. Avery Smith, 6-1