DIXFIELD – The quest to earn the upper hand was front and center at a Mid-State League dual wrestling meet Wednesday at DeFoe gymnasium.
A trio of wins by Ernie Matthews (130-pounds), Ben Matthews and Chris Cayer provided a spark as Mountain Valley rolled on to a 46-25 win against arch-rival Dirigo.
Mountain Valley (5-0) pulled ahead early as David Smith, a two-time Class B state champion, pinned A.J. Carrier in 13 seconds at 275. The tone was set as the Falcons won eight of 12 matches contested on the mat.
The Falcons are in a busy schedule and will compete in the Redskin Invitational Friday and Saturday. Last week, the Falcons won the Atlantic and was humbled at the Noble tournament.
“We came in here little mad,” Brenden Bradley of Mountain Valley. “Dirigo beat us last year, so we wanted to take it to them. Our lighter weight were weak last year, but they really stepped up tonight. I’m proud of them.”
Bradley, defending Class B state champion, struck Nathan Conley at 215.
Dirigo (5-3) had trailed 21-15 after wins by Derek Daley and Jon Smith at 119 and 135, respectively. Daley decisioned Mike Gilbert 5-0 and Smith stuck Jessie Sirois.
The Falcons won five of six matches, beginning with Derek Sicotte (125) pinning Tom Hines with a petrie. Aaron Arsenault also pinned Adam Getchell at 152.
Cayer 18-4 jumped ahead early with five-point combination, and then countered Josh Palmer, who dropped his chin in the third and secured a head and arm.
“He wouldn’t let me throw him,”Cayer said. “I had (tech fell) him at the McDonald’s. I got my hip up and pulled him over.”
Ernie Matthews executed a two-point near fall early in the second period to beat Josh Ronan 3-1.
Ben Matthews used several moves on Mike Jonaitis for a 16-2 major decision at 140. Dirigo utilized wins by Josh Palmer (145), Josh Ronan’s major decision and
“Ernie Matthews definitely won a big match,” Mountain Valley coach Gary Dolloff said. “We’re coming. The tournaments took a toll on us, but this win was good for the team.”
Mountain Valley’s Tyler Child pinned Kevin O’Leary at 189.
The Cougars’ Devin Brann won a 9-0 major decision over Jeff Pelletier, and Kyle Miele struck Chris Brennick at 171. Brennick was trailing 4-1 in the hard-fought match.
“We just wasn’t focused,” Dirigo coach Doug Gilbert said. “The kids lacked the intensity for a Mountain Valley meet.”
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