PONTE VEDRA BEACH — On Senior Night, the best way to finish the night is with a team win.
Nease had had a busy weekend, competing Friday night in Oakleaf and again Saturday morning at nearby rival Ponte Vedra in duals tournaments. But the St Johns Panthers were able to answer the bell at home Tuesday night, taking a 42-31 victory over Englewood.
Nease (5-4 in duals) jumped out to a 12-0 lead, with a fall from Chad Severt at 160 and forfeit to the Panthers at 170, but Englewood surged forward to a 24-12 lead on a four-pack of pins from Darryl Sam (182), Sam Howard (195), Melvin Wiggins (220) and Billie Maynard (285).
After a double forfeit at 106, Brielle Bibla (113) briefly reset Nease’s momentum with a pin at 113, but the Rams (2-1) extended back to a double-digit lead behind Royce Reeves’ 17-7 major at 120.
Nease would take another lead at 30-28 behind pins from Jacob Finkelstein at 126 and Parker Stamschror at 132, but Englewood answered behind a 7-4 win from Lynden North at 138 to go up, 31-30.
The Panthers would close out the win behind a win by disqualification for Anthony Tanza (145), plus a forfeit at 152.
Nease is now off until January 2, when it competes in the St Johns County championships at Creekside. Englewood returns to the mats Thursday night with another away dual, this time at Oakleaf.
Milton triangular: At W S Neal HS in Alabama, the Panthers took losses to a second AL-based team, Fairhope (66-12), as well as the hosts (66-15).
Kyle Flores (285) was Milton’s lone double-winner, with a pin to his favor in the dual with the hosts. Andrew Bolden (113) added a 9-2 decision in that same dual. Both of Milton’s victories against Fairhope came via forfeit.
Milton (0-3 in duals) is now off until January 2, when the Panthers will compete in the 2A-District 1 dual team tournament at Niceville.
Gulf Breeze 77, Crestview 6: At Crestview, in a matchup of 2A-District 1 opponents that both opened their dual seasons Tuesday night, the Dolphins racked 11 falls in the away win.
Nate Weber (113), Corbin Aubuchon (120), Logan Merritt (126), Brennden Nita (138), Garret Rudick (145), Sean Jones (160), Micah Barker (170), Hunter Dupont (182), Julian McCulley (195), Tyler Doughty (220) and Bryson Wick (285) all won by pins for Gulf Breeze. Ian Daily (16-0 in 2:07) took a tech fall at 152.
Crestview’s lone points came on a fall from Tyler Mason at 132.
The Dolphins will travel to area rival South Walton’s Scott Simpson Invitational one-day IBT on Saturday; due to our not receiving a schedule, we are not sure what Crestview’s next event will be.
RESULTS: Box scores from Tuesday night’s duals can be found HERE.
North Florida Matmen 