Wrestling

Taylor continues banner year, boosts Unionville past Oxford

by
Nate Heckenberger
February 8, 2017

EAST MARLBOROUGH — For years, Jake Taylor heard his father coaching him from the stands.

Now, in his senior year, Jake has his father, Bill Taylor, in his corner as head coach of Unionville, and the pair hopes the ride goes all the way to Hershey.

Jake came up huge when his team needed him most, putting the Indians in position to earn a 38-37 win, thanks to criteria H, over Oxford in the Ches-Mont American Division dual meet, Wednesday night.

With 45 seconds left in his bout, Jake, who made his season debut at 132 pounds, finally got Anthony Spadaro to his back for good to cut the Hornets lead to three. Matt Chaclas (138 pounds) followed with a decision, and referee Greg Fantazzi went to the rule book and determined the Indians the winner due to most first points scored.

Unionville’s Dominic Chaclas won by fall at 113 pounds. (Nate Heckenberger – For Digital First Media)

“I kinda like the pressure,” Jake said. “I’d rather have it on me than someone else. It’s always good to get the win when the score is on the line and I did what I had to do to get it done.”

For Bill, being able to send his son out there when the dual was on the line was as rewarding as a coach as it was nerve-wracking as a father.

“(Jake) likes that spot,” Bill said. “We were very confident he would get the six when we needed it. He’s been doing that for a long time and it was nice to go out, with these seniors and their last home meet, and get the win.”

Jake, one of five seniors who wrestled for the Indians, will head into the postseason with a 28-1 record this winter, with two trips to the regional tournament already under his belt. Jake, who has 118 career wins, said his goal is to get to states and not leave empty-handed, and he’s enjoying every moment of it with his dad right beside him.

Oxford’s Tim Davis ties up with Unionville’s Gavin Grim in a 7-2 decision won by Davis at 182 pounds. (Nate Heckenberger – For Digital First Media)

“It’s been the best year,” Jake said. “He’s been pushing me hard in every aspect and it’s probably the best thing that’s happened to me. We’ve always been close. He’s my best friend and my dad, and he’s always around me. It’s been good.”

Unionville finished runner-up to West Chester Rustin in the American in Bill’s first season at the helm. After coaching at Charles F. Patton, Unionville’s middle school, the previous two seasons, guiding his son in his final hurrah was an opportunity too good to pass up.

“I didn’t really want to do it, but (Jake) asked me to apply for it and I didn’t think it would go my direction,” Bill said. “I’m having a lot of fun with it. We don’t talk a lot of wrestling at home. We watch wrestling on TV and that stuff, but we don’t talk shop.”

Each team won seven bouts, but Unionville (5-1 division, 14-7 overall) won six of the final eight after Oxford (4-2, 14-8) built a 25-6 lead.

Unionville’s Mike Maguire pinned Zach Davis at 220 pounds. (Nate Heckenberger – For Digital First Media)

Seniors Mike Maguire (220) and Tim Weber (120) registered pins for the Indians in that stretch, as well as Dominic Chaclas (113). Matt Chaclas had Steven Cox on his back for a two-count, but couldn’t push the lead to eight, forcing the tiebreaker.

Oxford started fast, getting falls from Caleb Spadaro (145), Will Johnson (152) and David Cox (170) in the first four matches.

Things may have been different but the injury bug has bitten the Hornets. A regional qualifier as a freshman, Brandon Sheffield (138) is out for the season with a leg injury, as is Dylan Horseman (120). Harry Marr (126) was also out Wednesday, but he is hopeful to return of the Ches-Mont Championships February, 18.

“I was disappointed we didn’t win but I was happy the way the guys went out to wrestle,” Oxford coach Scott Gold said. “They didn’t back down from anybody. We had a couple JV guys in there, but you have to play the cards you’re dealt.”