Trailing 20-12 in a match that started at 121 pounds, Eisenhower won five straight bouts and went on to defeat Warren 42-30 at Warren Area High School.

More than just a county clash, the annual “whiteout match,” in honor of the late Dean Johnson — a former Warren head coach, raises funds for the Warren County Cancer Care Center.

“Having been around Dean and Melinda (Johnson) my whole life, it is pretty special to be a part of this night, and with Denny (Johnson, Dean’s brother) back helping us out,” said Eisenhower head coach Jared Lindell. “It is awesome to have everyone come out for the cause and I think we all put on a good match. A lot of respect for the Warren coaches and there’s a bunch of good kids over there. We’re going to see a lot more of them before the year is over.”

Prior to the match, Ike assistant coach Dennis Johnson forecasted “some good wrestling. Both teams are on the upswing.”

Times Observer photo by Jon Sitler Warren’s Josh Letko, top, readies to wrestle Eisenhower’s Derek Childs at 145 pounds in the Knights’ 42-30 win at WAHS.

Warren’s Cameron Williams tied the match at 6-6 with a second-period pin of Ryan Chambers at 127 pounds.

Trading blows, Cole Kellogg gave Eisenhower back the lead with a pin in the first period of Trentin Anthony at 132 pounds.

Back came Warren to tie the score quickly at 12-12 with Connor Zaffino’s quick pin of Kamden Ferrand at 139 pounds.

Josh Letko’s technical fall (15-0) of Derek Childs at 145 pounds was the second of Warren’s three straight wins. Grant Heeter’s thrilling win in holding off Eisenhower’s Shawn Pascuzzi 12-10 gave the hosts a 20-12 lead.

Eisenhower won the next five weight classes to put the match away at a packed Joseph A. Massa Gymnasium.

Times Observer photo by Jon Sitler Eisenhower’s Cole Kellogg works for a pin of Warren’s Trentin Anthony at 133 pounds during the Knights’ 42-30 win at WAHS.

“The match was entertaining and close — what you want in a rivalry,” said Ike coach Lindell. “We have things to work on for sure, but it was a great win for the guys.”

Cam Jakubczak’s first-period pin of Kenny Pizarro at 160 pounds started the streak. Then, Tucker Lindell gave Ike the lead for good with a second-period pin at 172 pounds of Warren’s Drew Swanson. Benji Bauer added a second-period pin of Warren’s Damien Sanchez at 189 pounds. After a forfeit win at 215 pounds, Eisenhower’s Michael Vanatta gave the Knights five straight with a third-period pin of Joe Krall.

Ending with lightweights, Warren received a forfeit at 107 pounds and Ryan Fitzsimmons majored Ike’s Shawn Miller at 114 pounds.

A 22-point Eisenhower lead with two weights to go was too much to overcome.

“I was happy with the effort our guys put out there; that’s all we can ask for,” said Warren coach Glenn Baldensperger, who could not attend due to illness. “I did watch it (online). I thought there were some great matches. … Glad I could watch.”

121: GWilliams (E) won via forfeit

127: CWilliams (W) p. Chambers, 3:28

133: Kellogg (E) p. Anthony, 1:47

139: Zaffino (W) p. Ferrand, 19.6

145: Letko (W) tf. Childs, 15-0

152: Heeter (W) d. Pascuzzi, 12-10

160: Jakubczak (E) p. Pizzaro, 1:47

172: Lindell (E) p. Swanson, 3:11

189: Bauer (E) p. Sanchez, 3:32

215: English (E) won via forfeit

285: Vanatta (E) p. Krall, 5:36

107: Fiscus (W) won via forfeit

114: Fitzsimmons (W) md. Miller, 11-2