NEWPORT — When Matt Archer stepped on the mat, the Mt. Blue wrestler was filled with emotions because it was the final match of his career.

But, the Cougars had already wrapped the team championship Saturday in the Nokomis clash.

In the battle of Cougars, Dirigo, making its first ever appearance, utilized its depth to place second. Wells, Oak Hill and Foxcroft rounded out the top five.

Mt. Blue was led by individual champions Dustin Small (103), Drew Blanchett (140) and Archer. The Cougars pulled away by scoring 104 points in the semifinals.

“We are having a good season,” Mt. Blue coach Bob O’Connor said. “We have been solid as a dual-meet team because we have some good wrestlers. This is a test to see how we are building (depth) to be a tournament team.”

The highly-anticipated matchup materialized between John Metcalf of Mt. Blue and Nick Wells of Oak Hill. Both were finalists in their respective state meets last year. Wells grabbed a quick lead before finding himself straddling the out-of-bounds line while on his back. Wells, who had won a semifinal match in overtime, refocused for a 14-7 decision.

Archer pinned Noah French of Wells in 46 seconds. Caleb Farrington was third at 171.

“I was just trying to hold my shoulder together,” Archer said, who is scheduled for surgery on Wednesday to repair a torn labrum. “I had set a goal to play in the Lobster Bowl (July) and I still believe it is still doable.”

Dirigo had a trio of champions in Caleb Hall (119), Adam Gill (130) and D.J. Webber (160). Brett Whittemore was a finalist at 125.

“The youngsters are getting better,” Dirigo coach Doug Gilbert said. “This was a great experience for them. Every kid, except for Dylan Sattler (fourth at 103) had three matches. That’s three quality matches, and that’s why we came up here.”

Hall recorded a technical fall on Nick Hyde of Mt. Blue. In a physical match, Gill teed-off on Alex Francis of Foxcroft.

“He had gotten the initial takedown,”Gill said. “But, then he cross-faced me for the fourth and that made me (mad). I enjoy the physical matches.”

The Cougars leapfrogged into second, after scoring 50 points in the consolation semifinals.

Ryan Lemay (140), Bryan Blackman (145), freshman Thomas Barnett (152) and Zach White (189) each placed third.

Webber fell behind before reversing and sticking Zack Faulkner of Mt. Blue.

“I just needed to remember to bridge and roll,” Webber said, who had three pins on the day. “Once I got back on top (offense) position I was alright.”

Keith Madore (140) and Mike Hamm (171) of Oak Hill repeated as champions. Craig Morrill was denied a quest for a third-straight crown by Garret Perkins of Wells.

Kyle Foyt-Bridges repeated as a titlist at 189. Monmouth teammates Patrick McInnis (119), Stewart Buzzell (125) and James Gambino (130) each placed third.

Khail Newbill, defending champion, of Mt. Blue suffered his first loss of the season. Freshman Colin Sevigney of Wells executed a reversal for a decision. Small struck Robbie Lee of Nokomis.

”I find the competition is better here in Maine,” Newbill said, who transferred from Alaska and advanced to the state final last year. “I like being neutral on my feet and I’m confident about my competition in Class A East.”

Josh Little of Oxford Hills was fourth at 189.

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