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Published Friday, November 20, 2009 in Sports

ECHS, Newnan begin wrestling season tonight in tri-match

By Chris Goltermann

The Newnan Times-Herald

The wrestling mats have been put to good use by Coweta's three varsity lineups since the beginning of this month. But not until tonight, have they been able to engulf hardwood floors of school gymnasiums.

Both East Coweta and Newnan get 2009-10 wrestling seasons under way on Friday against what better opponents than each other. Starting at 5 p.m., the pair will be joined at East Coweta's John Thrower Gymnasium by Area 4-AAAAA rival Lovejoy in a tri-match that despite being the season opener, should provide a setting not unlike mid-January.

Northgate opens its season on Saturday at the Alexander Duals, hoping to reload with at least five senior starters -- Bret Eady, Kyle Hennen, Chris Schenk, Jeff Higgins and Aric Anderson -- back in addition to talented freshman Tyler Askey, who still is going to have to battle for a starting job among one of the more deeper lineups in Class AAAA.

Still, varsity wrestling coaches also understand that the pre-Christmas schedule takes on a much different opportunity.

As much as two victories would be an obvious goal to starting out the season strong, East Coweta second-year head coach Josh Herring wants his wrestlers to set the tone for the season, one toward earning respect in both the county and the area.

"We want to come out and establish ourselves as something other than a fluke," said Herring of a program coming off an Area 4-AAAAA title last year. "We want to maintain that success. The whole atmosphere needs to be centered around 'team.'"

Twins Hart and Hunter Buchanan, each entering junior years at 103 and 112 pounds respectively, were named co-captains this year for the Indians after each qualified for state sectionals.

"The only person that I can see keeping Hart from the podium at state is Hart. Can he get there? I don't know. But if he doesn't, it'll surprise me," said Herring of the brothers. "Hunter might very well be the most improved wrestler in the state."

Both skilled on the mat, leadership might be the area where both brothers may have to focus their attention after East Coweta graduated at least three senior starters.

Matt Jackson and Kenny Reeves are the other returning starters, with Jackson bumping up to 171 pounds where former standout Joe Sherwood earned an area title. Reeves is back at 215 pounds and "is the wildcard," said Herring. "This team lives and dies every time he's on the mat."

That group will join a host of newcomers including Eric Nelson (119), Drew Higgins (125), Aaron Crankshaw (130), Ian Hok (145) and Mike Horner (189). Herring feels Horner, who also plays football and lacrosse, may have found his "niche" in wrestling.

Newnan, meanwhile, will be waiting on some of its football athletes, led by junior heavyweight Chris Beno, who will be crosstown tonight in the second-round of the state playoffs.

But a young Cougar lineup that surprised at last year's area tournament looks to build on that momentum despite losing standout Zack Thompson to graduation. Anthony Musac (130), Lucas Malcom (135) and Caleb Spinks (140) all made the Class AAAAA sectionals last year and first-year wrestler David Finlay made an impression at 145 pounds.

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