THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, February 11, 1995 TAG: 9502110252
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C10 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PAUL WHITE, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CENTREVILLE LENGTH: Medium: 67 lines
Great Bridge prevailed while Cox got derailed Friday in the Group AAA state duals wrestling tournament at Centreville High.
The four-time defending champion Wildcats (22-1) steamrolled into the semifinals by pounding Stonewall Jackson, 47-15, in a rematch of last year's finalists.
But Northwest Region champion Franklin County, propelled by big points from its middle weights, eliminated Cox, 32-24.
``I think we did the best we could,'' Cox 112-pounder Andy Simons said. ``They were just a little too tough up top.''
Pins by Eagles 152-pounder John Muse and 160-pounder Shaun Ferguson broke open a two-point match. The fall at 160 was particularly devastating to the Falcons, as Ferguson trailed, 5-2, in the second period before he caught Doug Dolenti and threw him on his back.
``I knew the team was depending on me to get a pin there,'' Ferguson said. ``And coach (Kris Kahila) always tells us when we get 'em on their backs, we gotta put 'em away.''
The Falcons (16-4) were also hurt by the absence of 119-pounder Jeff Kramer, out with a shoulder injury. Cox forfeited that bout.
The victory earned Franklin County (16-1) a semifinal match against Central Region champion Douglas Freeman today at 2 p.m. Douglas Freeman qualified by overcoming a horrendous start to oust Northern runner-up Robinson, 33-23.
Douglas Freeman's first four wrestlers combined to score only three points.
The other 2 p.m. semifinal pits Great Bridge against Centreville. The Northern Region champion Wildcats (20-0) tuned up Friday by routing Central runner-up Hermitage, 44-12.
The victory included a three-minute fall by Centreville 145-pounder Jeremy Ferry, which ran the two-time state champion's winning streak to 114.
The final is scheduled for 4 p.m.
Centreville's wrestlers said they're looking forward to getting a shot at the mighty Wildcats. But Centreville coach Dan Foglio said he isn't going to pull out all the stops today and may even rest a couple of his banged-up wrestlers in preparation for the individual tournament season.
But even with all its starters on hand, Centreville will be in a tough spot against Great Bridge, which appeared to be in top form in Friday's quarterfinal.
Stonewall Jackson knew it had only a slim chance of upsetting Great Bridge, and slim left Centreville's gym after the Wildcats shot down two of Stonewall Jackson's best wrestlers within the first four weight classes.
At 112, Great Bridge freshman Bruce Fowler took down Seth Cameron with 24 seconds remaining to cement a 4-1 victory. The defeat was Cameron's third in 29 matches.
And at 125, Great Bridge's devastaing Carl Perry (31-0) manhandled previously unbeaten Mike Pereira, 19-6. Pereira (27-1) finished third in the state at 112 a year ago.
Perry's victory was the first of seven in a row by the Wildcats, a run which included pins by Aaron Beatson (135), Christian Basnight (152) and Billy Allred (160).
Leading 41-5, Great Bridge coach Steve Martin turned things over to backups Sean Cross (171), Eric Leonard (189) and Matt Small (275).
Cross and Small lost against Stonewall Jackson, but Leonard, a freshman wrestling his first varsity match, pinned Shaun McNabb in 3:02. by CNB