RUMFORD – Senior Chris Brennick provided a spark with a major decision over Garrett Flagg at 171 pounds as Mountain Valley finished strong for a convincing 53-19 victory against arch-rival Dirigo.
The Falcons continue to roll, having captured the Kennebunk Duals last Saturday.
Mountain Valley (15-1) had the momentum entering the showdown and had defeated the Cougars 46-25 two weeks ago. The final five matches, four contested on the mat, amounted to 32 straight points.
The Cougars had actually pulled within two points, following Devin Brann pinning Jeff Pelletier at 160. The tension was mounting, when Brennick put an end to Dirigo’s dream.
“All season long I’ve felt comfortable,” Brennick said. “But tonight, I felt comfortable on my feet. (Flagg) was shooting on me.
“This team is feeling pretty good about how we have progressed. We hit a lull at the Redskin tournament, but now we are ready to start peaking.”
Tyler Child earned a forfeit at 189 and Brendan Bradley, the defending Class B champion, stuck Pat O’Leary at 215, after O’Leary had jumped ahead 6-3. Corey David pinned Rebecca Garcia in 14 seconds at 103.
Dirigo (10-5) had split the first six matches and led 13-6. Derek Daley started strong and executed a cradle en route to a 9-0 decision over Mike Gilbert. Jon Smith pinned Jessie Sirois at 135.
Ernie Matthews of Mountain Valley was upset by Josh Ronan, 4-2 in overtime. Matthews reached back for a head-and-arm, but Ronan backed out of it.
“I had wrestled him before,” Ronan said. “I knew that he lunged forward and that helped me. My emotions definitely effect my agility.”
Older brother Ben Matthews was the first of three Falcons to win. Matthews decisioned Mike Jonaitis at 140, while Chris Cayer (spadle) and Devin Roberts (reverse half-nelson) pinned Josh Palmer and Adam Getchell at 145 and 152.
The Falcons’ Derek Sicotte (125) pinned Tom Hines, sliding off a grapevine, securing a half-nelson.
“The team is doing well,” Mountain Valley assistant coach Chris Bean said. “We looked good at Kennebunk on Saturday and I was a little concerned about conditioning tonight, but Devin Roberts filled in well, against a good wrestler.”
Kyle Dow pinned A.J. Carrier at 275 and T.J. Burgess decisioned Brett Staples in a feisty match at 112.
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