WORCESTER >> A.J. Maida could only smile.
His Methacton Warriors had just defeated Perkiomen Valley, 57-5, on Senior Night and the parents of his five seniors were milling around, snapping pictures and taking in the gentle merriment of the moment.
“I can’t say enough about these five guys,” Maida said. “These are the guys we’ve leaned on all year, and they haven’t let us down.
“I could put these guys anywhere in the lineup, and we have done that a lot this year, and they have come through for us.
“We’ve had four guys — Bryce (Reddington), Dylan (Henry), (Joe) Donahue and Salaam (McNair) who have covered eight weight classes for us this year.”
Those seniors were instrumental in the victory over Perk Valley, with all four winning key matches in the romp.
Reddington, a recent George Mason commit, Henry, Donahue and McNair were all winners, with Reddington bumping up two weight classes to defeat Vikings Jacob Sturn, Henry going up a weight class to hold off Drew Rowley and McNair and Donahue bumping up to win at 195 and 285 respectively.
“That’s what these guys have done for us all year,” Maida said. “We’re really going to miss them.”
Methactons Salaam McNair controls Perkiomen Valley’s Jakob Sterling in their match at 195 during their teams’ dual meet on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2017. (Gene Walsh/Digital First Media)
The Warriors got off to a fast start, winning by forfeit at 182, McNair winning at 195 and Tonee Ellis winning at 220.
Donahue won by fall at heavyweight, and by the time Corey Morabito won by major decision at 106, the Warriors victory was all but secured.
“Hey, I don’t want to take anything away from Perk Valley,” Maida said. “They have a lot of good, young wrestlers over there, and they’re going to be very good in the near future.”
But right now it’s Methacton that’s in the catbird seat, although they’re still looking up at the likes of Boyertown, Owen J. Roberts and Spring-Ford.
“That’s what’s so fun about this league,” Maida said. “No matter how good you think you are, you still have to be ready for each and every match.”
Methacton 57, Perkiomen Valley 5
182 — Brandon Marion (M) won by forfeit.
195 — Salaam McNair (M) pinned Jacob Sterling, 3:23.
220 — Tonee Ellis (M) dec. Gavin Buker, 7-2.
285 — Joe Donahue (M) pinned Jahir Holmes, 3:55.
106 — Corey Morabito (M) maj.dec. over Paul Kakos, 16-4.
113 — Stephen Coleman (PV) dec. Liam Donovan, 2-0.
120 — Jorge Carmona (M) tech.fall over Charles Sithens, 5:49 (25-10).
126 — Kibwe McNair (M) maj.dec. Austin Rowley, 9-0.
132 — Cody Jefferies (PV) dec. Andrew Balek, 3-1.
138 — Gavin Hartman (M) pinned Riley Keshaw, 2:48.
145 — Dylan Henry (M) dec. Drew Rowley, 12-7.
152 — Roman Moser (M) pinned Matt Wresniewski, 0:54.
160 — Bryce Reddington (M) tech.fall over Jacob Sturn, 3:39 (17-1).
170 — Michael Blakemore (M) dec. Williem Mathis, 5-1.
Top Photo: Methactons Joe Donahue takes Perk Valley Jahir Holmes in their match at 285 pound during their teams’ dual meet on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2017. (Gene Walsh/Digital First Media)
