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Sheffield matmen pin Eagles

Sheffield’s Nick Knowles looks back at the official while trying to put Youngsville’s Jake DeSimone on his back during their 285-pound match at Sheffield High School, Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2019. Knowles pinned DeSimone in the first period for an emotional victory on Senior Night.

Sheffield wrestlers sent their lone senior out in style with a 57-12 win over Youngsville Wednesday.

The Wolverines held Senior Night festivities prior to the match to recognize Nick Knowles. The 285-pounder is the team’s only senior, though Sheffield also honored Abraxas wrestlers Joe Hawk and Maximus Thomas for their contributions this season.

The actual match was hardly in doubt. With two no contests and six forfeits, the Eagles would’ve had to win each contested match via pinfall just to tie the Wolverines.

Damon Reese kept that possibility alive with a second-period pin of Hawk in their 182-pound bout. The win was the first of Reese’s career.

“We’ve got a young group,” Youngsville coach Paul Clough said. “The biggest thing is that they continue to fight.”

Youngsville’s Collin Clough turns Sheffield’s Caden Smead during their 126-pound match at Sheffield High School, Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2019. Clough pinned Smead in the waning seconds of the first period.

Jake Davidson made his return to the lineup following an injury and sealed the match win for Sheffield when he decked Sam Hoover in the third period at 195.

“This was a really important win,” Sheffield coach Jack Rice said. “We’re improving as a team.”

Knowles came out like a man possessed in his match with Jake DeSimone. It took the senior less than 1:30 to put DeSimone on his back for the pinfall victory and a standing ovation from the home crowd.

Collin Clough got Youngsville’s second win of the night at 126. It took nearly the entire first period, but Clough finally put Caden Smead to his back and got the fall with just 3 seconds left in the period.

“The fact that they’re fighting is huge,” Paul Clough said. “They haven’t lost that fire.”

Sheffield’s Joe Donato pulls Youngsville’s Colton Garris to the mat during their 160-pound match at Sheffield High School, Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2019. Donato pinned Garris in the second period to earn his first career varsity win as the Wolverines rolled past the Eagles, 57-12.

Landon Mead and Steve Reilly had perhaps the best match of the night at 152.

Each had a near fall in the first period and the grapplers were deadlocked at 5-5 after the first two minutes. Neither was able to score in the second and Reilly chose to start the third in the down position. Mead got a nearfall, but Reilly fought off his back and reversed into a nearfall of his own. Mead escaped, then grabbed a takedown and nearfall late in the period to pick up a 13-9 decision.

“We want to peak at the end of the season,” Rice said. “It’s good to see our guys peak at this time of the year.”

Joey Donato closed out the match for the Wolverines by picking up his first career win, a second-period pin of Colton Garris.

Clough said he was happy with his team’s performance as nearly every match could’ve gone either way.

Youngsville’s Damon Reese tries to turn Sheffield’s Joe Hawk during their 182-pound match at Sheffield High School, Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2019. Reese decked Hawk in the second period to pick up his first career win.

“Our technique is improving,” he said. “We’ve been telling them that their hard work will pay off. Tonight let them see that they’re competitive with kids at a similar experience level.”

The Eagles travel to Iroquois Tuesday before heading to the Section 1 Class 2A Tournament Feb. 15-16.

The Wolverines welcome Johnsonburg Saturday for an Allegheny Mountain Wrestling League showdown.

“We’ve got a few key matchups,” Rice said.

– – –

SHEFFIELD 57, YOUNGSVILLE 12

170: Ethan Finch (S) via forfeit

182: Damon Reese (Y) pin Joe Hawk, 3:13

195: Jake Davidson (S) pin Sam Hoover, 5:45

220: Maximus Thomas (S) via forfeit

285: Nick Knowles (S) pin Jake DeSimone, 1:23

106: Gavin Fehlman (S) via forfeit

113: No contest

120: No contest

126: Collin Clough (Y) pin Caden Smead, 1:57

132: Cooper Traister (S) via forfeit

138: Kevin Marfink (S) via forfeit

145: Jacob Disshon (S) via forfeit

152: Landon Mead (S) dec. Steve Reilly, 13-9

160: Joey Donato (S) pin Colton Garris, 4:43

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