Submitted Photo Eisenhower and Warren wrestlers and coaches pose after their match that honored a former coach, the late Dean Johnson, in a “White Out” fundraiser for the Warren Cancer Care Center on Wednesday at Eisenhower High School.

“As the fairytale goes…,” in the words of Warren wrestling coach Ted Carrington, “the Dragons fell to the Knights.”

But in a 45-18 Eisenhower win over Warren on Wednesday at Eisenhower High School, there were more winners than meets the eye.

“I thought the atmosphere was awesome,” said Eisenhower head coach Kris Black. “It’s what high school athletics should be about; everyone needs an Army versus Navy game to experience. And to have that and have it be beneficial for the community is even better. I believe we made about $600 for the Cancer Society tonight, and that just goes to show how the community came out and supported these kids.”

The match was billed a “White Out” to benefit the Warren General Hospital Cancer Care Center in the name of a former Warren wrestling coach, the late Dean Johnson.

In the end, Eisenhower had eight wins on the mat, including five pins.

Josh Parker pinned Jason Stillson at 172 pounds to start the match, Brok English decisioned Connor Hecei at 189, and Cael Black pinned Tristan Dolan at 215 pounds in 1:05. Black remains undefeated at 22-0 after surpassing 100 career wins in January. The former state medalist may have challenged the county wins record without match cancellations the past two years.

The Knights’ Griffin Williams earned a 7-4 decision over Ryan Fitzsimmons when the match came back around to 106, and the Knights won the last four matches on the night at their home turf.

Derek Childs came away with a 9-7 decision over Connor Zaffino at 138 pounds. Shawn Pascuzzi (145), Tucker Lindell (152), and Gannon Jaquay (160) fought for pins to end the match on a Knights’ run.

The senior Jaquay is approaching 100 career wins himself and would have it already if not for COVID uncertainties.

The 2022 postseason is on the horizon, and the Knights are chomping at the bit for this type of electricity.

“I think that our sport needs these type of events with the elementary matches, junior high, and the crowds to keep people engaged,” said Coach Black. “I think that after the match the fact that both coaching staffs and teams got together to take a picture to commemorate it was the topping of a fantastic night of wrestling.”

Warren’s Alan McAllister broke up the Ike shutout early on with a quick pin at heavyweight.

“We knew we had a uphill battle with EHS,” said Warren coach Carrington. “I don’t mind losing to a good team. What upsets us, as coaches, is not wrestling to our full potential. That’s what happened tonight. We kept making basic mistakes that we shouldn’t be making this late in the season. Alan came up with a pin for us to get us on the board. Connor Zaffino had one heck of a match at 138. Con is fresh off a separated shoulder. I think he’s been back for two weeks after being off since the first week of the season… Connor left it all on the mat tonight. Damien Sanchez made it to the third period against Gannon Jaquay, who will be at the state tournament. We are proud of how Damien held on. Gannon got the pin, but Damien gave him a good run. Now, we move on and prepare for our next county meet against Sheffield. The Wolverines are gunning for us. We have to be at the top of our game with these guys.”

All three Eisenhower seniors — Black, Jaquay and Parker — won matches on Ike’s Senior Night.

“Overall, I thought our guys wrestled well,” said Coach Black. “I was happy for our 3 seniors getting a win on Senior night; thought we were aggressive and worked to score points and that is what you need to be doing heading to the post-season. We have one more match with Titusville on Saturday and then the focus heads to individual matches and moving through to the ulitimate goal of Hershey in March.”

EISENHOWER 45, WARREN 18

172–Parker (E) p. Stillson, 1:32

189–English (E) dec. Hecei, 11-4

215–Black (E) p. Dolan, 1:05

285–McAllister (W) p. Vanatta, :32

106–GWilliams (E) dec. Fitzsimmons, 7-4

113–Chambers (E) wbf.

120–No match

126–CWilliams (W) wbf.

132–Tuttle (W) wbf.

138–Childs (E) dec. Zaffino, 9-7

145–Pascuzzi (E) p. Cruz, 2:47

152–Lindell (E) p. Hester, 2:56

160–Jaquay (E) p. Sanchez, 4:40