The Bobcats tested their mettle against schools from larger classifications.
Gilmer High was one of 12 teams in Acworth last Saturday for the annual Blackbeard Duals. GHS wrestled five matches on the day and posted a 3-2 record for third place.
Gilmer was missing some wrestlers due to injuries in addition to those who wrapped up the football season the night prior. Teams were grouped in pools of three and GHS defeated Chestatee (40-32) before dropping its match to Hillgrove, 40-34.
“Hillgrove just beat us,” said head coach Josh Ghobadpoor. “We were one or two matches off and we could have won there, or if we lose the right way (by minimizing bonus points, we would have won). We had some step up versus North Paulding, and we had some young guys get some pins and a decision for us.”
The Bobcats beat North Paulding (43-36) in the consolation bracket, but lost to perennial power Woodland, 38-30. GHS was then set to face Hillgrove once again, and Ghobadpoor wanted to take advantage of the opportunity.
“Their coach asked if I wanted to wrestle or just go home,” Ghobadpoor said. “I said, ‘No, we’d love to wrestle you guys again.’ We wanted to use this opportunity to show our character a little bit and wrestle a team who just beat us. We have to get back on the horse and keep going.”
GHS fell behind 18-0 to Hillgrove in the rematch before Bobcat pins by freshman Enrique Piaz (113), sophomore Manny Velasquez (120) and freshman Braelyn Nelson (126) evened the score. The Hawks bumped their lead to 12 after consecutive pins in the next two bouts.
Senior Bobcats Bregan Berry (144) and Alex Raymundo (150) tied the scored at 30-30 with two more pin falls. Hillgrove’s penultimate win was a decision at 157 ahead of two more victories by GHS seniors. Carson Farist gave Gilmer a 3-point lead with a pin at 165, and Israel Francisco (175) earned an 11-3 major.
Hillgrove’s pin at 190 trimmed Gilmer’s margin of victory to 40-39.
“We told Israel what the plan was and that we need to get that bonus point with a major and he started working really hard,” Ghobadpoor said. “He got three or four takedowns in the third period with the last coming with about seven seconds left.”
Ghobadpoor added, “Every match was really tough. We have a younger team and were missing some key role players, and we’re waiting on some of the weight classes. It was good to see these guys battle. I hope they’re seeing early on that everyone has a role and has to do their part.”
The Bobcats have a 7-2 dual record on the season. They attended the Etowah Duals ahead of Thanksgiving and will return to the mat next Saturday.