“I’m proud of the boys,” Warren coach Dean Johnson said. “They came out of the gate and went right after them.”

Brookville, who recently finished fourth in the PIAA Class 2A Team Dual Championships, picked up a forfeit win at 106. Christian Papalia and Josh Popson battled in the 113-pound matchup. Popson got the initial takedown, but Papalia was able to reverse into a nearfall before Popson got an escape. Papalia held a 5-3 lead heading into the second. Popson started on bottom and got a reversal, but Papalia escaped. Popson then grabbed a takedown and nearfall to hold a 9-6 advantage after two. Papalia started on bottom and got the reversal to pull within one, but Popson escaped and held off Papalia for a 10-8 decision.

Avery Smith and Cayden Walter were scoreless after one at 120. Walter got a reversal in the second for the period’s only points. Smith escaped to start the third, but Walter caught him going for a late shot and grabbed a takedown for a 4-1 decision.

Ryan Madigan got the Dragons on the board at 126. He took down Zack Keihl early in the first period, then rolled him late and got the pinfall just as time expired.

Warren's Jamo Douvlos takes down Brookville's Elliot Park during their 170-pound match at Warren Area High School, Thursday, Feb. 14, 2019. Douvlos earned a 6-3 decision over Park, but the Raiders defeated the Dragons, 52-15.

Parker Fleming got an early takedown on Alex Anderson in the first period of their 132-pound bout. Anderson escaped, but trailed 2-1 after one. Anderson started the second period on bottom and got a reversal for a 3-1 lead. Fleming returned the favor to start the third and was up 4-3 in the waning seconds. Anderson made a late move and got the reversal with just five seconds left to get a 5-4 decision.

“Avery had a nice match and then Ryan got the big pin,” Johnson said. “Then Alex, I kind of knew what he was thinking and knew that he was looking for the late reversal. I told the boys before the match to look to win on points and take the pin if it’s there.”

The win trimmed Brookville’s lead to 12-9, but Wyatt Kulik (138) and Cody Hetrick (145) each picked up first period pinfalls to extend the lead to 24-9.

John Fankhouser and Jacob Cable were scoreless as the second period of their 152-pound match began. Fankhouser was on bottom and got an escape for a 1-0 lead. He was able to ride out Cable in the third to hold on for the decision.

“The boys didn’t back down,” Johnson said. “Fankhouser wrestled a really smart match.”

Warren’s Christian Papalia tries to turn Brookville’s Josh Popson to his back during their 113-pound match at Warren Area High School, Thursday, Feb. 14, 2019. Popson picked up a hard-fought 10-8 decision and the Raiders went on to a 52-15 win over the Dragons

Wyatt Griffin picked up a pin for the Raiders at 160.

Jamo Douvlos looked like he might get those points right back in the early going against Elliot Park at 170. Douvlos scored a takedown and quick nearfall, but Park was able to roll off his back and keep the match going. Park got a penalty point and escape in the second to trim the deficit to 5-2 going into the third. Park got another penalty point to make it 5-3, but Douvlos escaped and stayed on his feet to come away with a 6-3 decision.

The Raiders closed out the match with four straight wins. Braden MacBeth (182) got a pin, Nathan Taylor (195) a 10-1 major and Tanner LaBenne (220) and Colby Whitehill (285) grabbed pinfall victories.

Johnson was pleased with the way his team battled against one of the top teams in the state, especially with the postseason on the horizon.

“This was just the right match we needed going into districts,” he said. “We’ll study film and pick up some things. We’re coming along, but we’re not quite there yet.”

The District 10 Class 3A Tournament is set for Feb. 22-23 in Meadville. With some time to prepare, the Dragons will be keeping a close eye on the “House of Thrills” today and tomorrow as the D-10 Class 2A Section 1 Tournment gets underway.

“We want to wish Eisenhower and Youngsville wrestlers good luck this weekend,” Johnson said.

– – –

BROOKVILLE 52, WARREN 15

106: Owen Reinsel (B) via forfeit

113: Josh Popson (B) dec. Christian Papalia, 10-8

120: Cayden Walter (B) dec. Avery Smith, 4-1

126: Ryan Madigan (W) pin Zack Keihl, 2:00

132: Alex Anderson (W) dec. Parker Fleming, 5-4

138: Wyatt Kulik (B) pin Donovan Fiscus, 1:19

145: Cody Hetrick (B) pin Kyle Swick, 2:00

152: John Fankhouser (W) dec. Jacob Cable, 1-0

160: Wyatt Griffin (B) pin Zach Zinger, 3:11

170: Jamo Douvlos (W) dec. Elliot Park, 6-3

182: Braden MacBeth (B) pin MaBrukhe Tagba, 2:56

195: Nathan Taylor (B) maj. dec. Joey Arnold, 10-1

220: Tanner LaBenne (B) pin Jacob Hayes, 2:18

285: Colby Whitehill (B) pin Billy Anderson, 1:10