LOWER POTTSGROVE >> It’s been in the mix the last couple years.
Winning the Pioneer Athletic Conference’s Frontier Division, however, is a feat that’s eluded Pottsgrove during that time. But the Falcons put themselves in solid position to end that drought Wednesday, coming away from a matchup with Upper Perkiomen 45-30 winners.
Pottsgrove topped the Indians for the first time in head coach Jeff Madden’s 11-year tenure. It had been all even with Upper Perkiomen in the division in 2016-17 — joined by Pottstown with identical 4-1 records — and again last winter, though the Tribe won out on criteria.
But there was no tiebreaking necessary this time around. The Falcons built a 39-9 lead through nine weights, and any mathematical hope the visitors had for evening up the score down the stretch ended with Tony Lindgren’s third-period pin at 106 that proved the clincher.
“This is always a big match for us,” Madden said afterward. “I thought of us as underdogs coming in. But the guys wrestled well.”
Pottsgrove’s Landon Shivak, left, works against Upper Perkiomen’s Soren Svanson at 170 pounds Wednesday. (Austin Hertzog – Digital First Media)
Its score bolstered by a pair of forfeits in the upper weights, Pottsgrove (10-6 overall) rode five pins to its insurmountable lead. Upper Perkiomen’s (4-7) points came courtesy of two falls and a pair of forfeits, with Nathan Reinhart’s decision in the 132-pound finale also factored in.
All that stands between the Falcons and a Frontier championship are division duals with Phoenixville (2-0) and Upper Merion. The outright winner will then face off the Liberty Division’s champion to decide the PAC’s overall championship.
“For us the last couple years, this is something to shoot for,” Madden said. “This puts us in position. I think it’s great for our kids.”
Pottsgrove’s pin parade was started by Josh Cerrito at 138, who got the slap at 1:55. Stephen Hennelly followed with a 3:08 fall at 145, and Shane Caffrey continued with his 3:53 pin at 160,
Upper Perk punctuated the run with Zach Rozanski’s 3:53 pin at 160 and Austin DiDomenico’s 8-4 decision at 182. But it could only shrink the Falcons’ margin of victory at the end with Mike Milkowich’s pin at 126 and Reinhart’s decision at 132.
“I felt we were favored in a couple bouts, but we ended up getting pinned,” UP head coach Steve Adam said. “Hats off to Pottsgrove. They came ready to go.”
Pottsgrove’s Tony Lindgren looks for a shot against Upper Perkiomen’s Matt Milkowich at 106 pounds Wednesday. Lindgren won via third-period pin. (Austin Hertzog – Digital First Media)
Lindgren’s pin was a particular source of inspiration for the Falcons. He trailed Matt Milkowich 9-6 through two periods before scoring a takedown that set up his body-press fall.
“That was big,” Madden said. “We have a few injuries, but we had to fill the lineup. We got through it anyway.”
Hennelly noted the significance of the match was a motivating factor for Pottsgrove.
“We actually changed up how we worked out,” he said. “We worked toward this the whole season.”
Memories of the three-way finish two years ago was another Falcon focus.
“We didn’t want that again,” he added. “Our leaders pushed the other kids for the best outcome. We’re focused on winning the Frontier.
“I think we’ll be ready … we’ll be prepared for all that.”
Upper Perkiomen’s Mike Milkowich, left, closes in on a pin of Pottsgrove’s Matt Bechtel in the first period of their 126-pound bout Wednesday. (Austin Hertzog – Digital First Media)
NOTES >> Zach Van Horn and Avery Shivak were the recipients of Pottsgrove forfeits at 195 and 220, respectively. Manny Allen followed with a first-period pin at 285 for the Falcons. … Matt Martin and Joey Carpenter received forfeits for UP at 113 and 120. … Adam on his team’s forfeit situation: “We’ve had two to three forfeits in a match all season. Keeping it to two, we had to bump up some kids. That’s a lot to ask. But I thought we were still favored head-to-head.”
