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Published Thursday, November 20, 2008 in Sports

Northgate, E. Coweta hit mats Saturday

By Tony Jones

The Times-Herald

The post Christian Flavin era of East Coweta wrestling will begin on Saturday morning at Alexander as the Indians join Northgate in the Alexander Duals.

Gone is Flavin, the backbone of East Coweta's program and its third-ever state champion.

East Coweta coach Josh Herring will also have to replace Leighton Anglin and Kyle McSherry, a duo who provided quality leadership.

But don't cry for the purple and gold just yet. East Coweta has plenty of talent remaining and wrestling in a weak region will all but guarantee the team a significant number of state qualifiers.

Herring has tapped Tommy Doolittle as one who can replace the leadership that McSherry and Anglin provided. The East Coweta captain will compete at either 140 or 145.

Sophomore Hart Buchanan (103) has made great strides.

"Hart has the desire, the work ethic, and the poise that is necessary," said Herring. "He will be our leader of the future."

Junior Blake Ginger (152) enjoyed a productive summer and flourished at the Starr's Mill camp under the tutelage of former Northgate standout Brandon Veasey.

"We've got plenty of work ahead of us," said Herring. "I believe by Christmas time we will be at full strength. This will be a challenging, yet rewarding season," explained the East Coweta leader.

Northgate coach Adrian Anderson is no fan of November wrestling. He's not even crazy about December outings.

Anderson will use the event at Alexander to evaluate his kids. "It's good that the guys will get some work. Eventually we'll be a decent dual team," said the legendary coach.

Northgate fans won't see a typical Viking lineup this weekend. Trent Perera (140), Jeff Higgins (145), and Brendan Margeson (152) have just returned to the team from football and will not compete.

Anderson will likely also be without Lance Buzzell (112), Will Trosclair (119), and Kyle Henin (130).

Aric Anderson, who is expected to settle at 171, will move up to 189 this weekend. Anderson wrestled at 145 and 152 last season. Anderson has never been stronger, now benching 245 pounds.

Kyle Black (103) has been drilling well in practice. Bret Eady will wrestle at either 125 or 130. Eady and Justin Alderman (135) were both part of Northgate's region third-place cross country team.

Northgate also returns Tre Robinson (140), Chris Schenk (160), Tyler Mappin (189), Austen Martin (215), and Dustin Wyatt (285). Wyatt is one of three who are all under 285 but will compete in the division. He will be joined by Kaston Kornacki and Matt Mitchell.

Northgate and East Coweta will be entered in the same preliminary pool. Alexander is in the opposite pool. East Coweta and Northgate will have to face Whitewater in the preliminary round.

(Editor's Note: The following is the first of two stories previewing the 2008 high school wrestling season)

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