Kennett uses bonus points to pull away from Octorara

KENNETT SQUARE—With bonus points scored in all but one of the Blue Demons’ wins, Kennett knocked off visiting Octorara 42-24 Wednesday night in Ches-Mont American match-up.

“This match was a lot closer than the score indicates,” said Kennett coach Tyrone Johnson.  “Octorara has some tough kids over there, and we just did what we needed to do at the right times.”

After the Braves forfeited at both 220 and 285 to start the dual, the line-ups turned over and the two most closely contested bouts of the night came in the first two weight classes actually wrestled, 106 and 113.

At 106, Kennett’s Mary Nichols squared off against the Braves’ Seth Hoopes, a freshman down at 106 for the first time on the young season.  Hoopes scored first, spinning behind for a takedown late in the first period.  Nichols chose down to start the second, but Hoopes made the best of it, using legs and a power half to crank Nichols over for two near fall points.  Nichols would later escape for one, but Hoopes held on for the 4-1 victory.

Logan Reigel took the mat for the demons at 113, while the Braves countered with Liam Babauta.  Reigel struck first, notching a takedown out of a scramble in the first.  Early in the second, Reigel was warned for stalling, but was able to stave off a second warning and a penalty point until late in the third.  The second stall call made it a 2-1 score, so Babauta cut reigel loose for one, hoping to be able to send the match to overtime with a takedown.  Babauta hit a nice fireman’s, and eventually switched off to a double and got in deep, but couldn’t finish before time expired.

There was little of that drama in the next two bouts, as Gerhardt Reiter got a pin in 1:02 at 126, and then Drew Massetti went to work at 132.  Titlting at will, Massetti racked up a 17-1 tech fall.

“I just knew we might need the bonus points, so I just did everything I could to score as much as I could,” said Massetti. “I still think I need work on my feet, but otherwise I’m wrestling pretty well right now.”

Jake Anderson made it three in a row for Kennett, hitting a cement mixer for the takedown and fall at 138 to make it a 32-3 score on the board.

Noah Hoopes stopped the bleeding for the Braves at 145, pulling out a come from behind victory over Dale Burns.  With Burns up 3-1 in the second, Hooped knotted it at three each with a double leg takedown.  Hoopes put it away in the third, breaking free for an escape, and hitting his double leg for his second takedown of the night to win going away, 6-3 to keep his unbeaten streak alive.

“Noah is going all the little things he needs to do to win,” said Octorara coach mark Durante. “He’s staying in good position, and always in control.”

After Tyler LaCosta picked up an 8-0 major decision at 145, the Braves stormed back in the match, just a tad too late.  Forfeits at 160 and 170 made it 36-18, and then Andrew Allison worked a bar for a second period pin at 182 to make it 36-24.

Colin Fowler rounded out the scoring, landing a headlock for the takedown and fall in 4:18.

Box Score

220—Castaneda (K) by forfeit 6-0

285—Wanner (K) by forfeit  12-0

106—S Hoopes (O) dec Nichols 4-1  12-3

113—Reigel (K) dec Babauta  3-1  15-3

120—no match

126—Reiter (K) pinned T Sharpless 1:02  21-3

132—Massetti (K) tech fall Mattis  17-2, 5:46   26-3

138—Anderson (K) pinned Camerote 0:42  32-3

145—N Hoopes (O) dec Burns  6-3  32-6

152—LaCosta  (K) maj dec Dalton  8-0  36-6

160—Burridge (O) by forfeit  36-12

170—R Sharpless (O) by forfeit  36-18

182—Allison (O) pinned Lucas  2:54  36-24

195—Fowler (K)  pinned Unitis  4:18  52-24