Cover photo courtesy of James Vandenberg
Monday, December 13th
Alexander (V) 39 – #7 Albion 28
The Purple Eagles collected two forfeits and conceded one but couldn’t overcome the Trojans’ five pins. Alexander held Albion to two decisions, one major, and one pin on the night.
Tuesday, December 14th
#1 Falconer 61 – Gowanda/Cattaraugus-Little Valley 6
Both the Golden Falcons and Panthers wrestled a dual for the first time this season with Falconer picking up the big CCAA Division I win. Falconer collected seven pins in the win while Gowanda conceded one single forfeit signaling a big improvement in participation this season. Falconer hosts Port Allegany, PA on Tuesday the 21st in its annual inter-state showdown with a Keystone State squad.
Barker/Royalton-Hartland 39 – Wilson 31
The Rams picked up a crucial home victory over the Lakemen to keep pace at the top of the Niagara-Orleans standings.
Wednesday, December 15th
#1 Niagara Falls 51 – Lockport 15
The Wolverines improved to 2-0 in league action with a road win over the Lions. Eight out of nine wins for ‘Falls were worth six team points.
The Legends improved to 2-0 in ECIC I with a road win over the Quakers. The strength of the Lancaster lineup once again resides in the upper half of the weights anchored by previous (2019-2020) Section VI champion Michael Schaefer. However, senior Myles Gronowski remains undefeated (11-0) this season at 126/132-pounds. Next up for Lancaster is a home dual with West Seneca + Depew while Orchard Parks pays a visit to Williamsville North with huge Section VI Duals implications on the line.
# 3 Starpoint 64 – East Aurora/Holland 11
The Spartans improved to 2-0 in ECIC II in the quest for their first league title in five seasons. Starpoint won eleven of thirteen bouts in the dual, including all nine bouts from 132 to 285-pounds.
#5 Clarence 36 – Jamestown 33
Down 33-18 with three matches left, the Devils needed and got three pins courtesy of AJ Didas, Anthany D’Agostino, and Jake Mattoon to overcome the surging Red Raiders in an ECIC I battle. Jamestown won seven bouts to Clarence’s six, however all six of those wins came by way of pin. Jamestown’s reloaded lineup collected two forfeits in the dual as things appear to be turning around in Raider Nation…and fast. Next up for the 13-2 Devils is a home stand against ECIC I rival #6 Frontier while the Raiders host #8 Hamburg (2-0, 11-4).
#6 Portville 36 – Maple Grove 30
The unbeaten Panthers continued the strong start to their season gaining a critical CCAA Div. II win over the Dragons on the road. Two of Section VI’s smallest schools by BEDS that are uncombined teams wrestled 11 of 13 bouts in this dual with one forfeit for Portville and one double forfeit. Maple Grove won six contested bouts to Portville’s five, however all five of those wins were by pin compared to the Dragon’s four. Portville hosts Randolph in another critical league showdown next week.
#7 Amherst 39 – Sweet Home 25
Amherst collected seven wins to Sweet Home’s five to stay alive in the ECIC II race, now at 2-0 in the division. Both squads have a handful of wrestlers who are quietly putting together nice seasons; the Tigers’ Payton Mack and Giovanni Russo are both 7-0 this year while the Panthers’ Jared Harris is unbeaten at 9-0.
#8 Hamburg 48 – West Seneca/Depew 25
The Bulldogs improved to 2-0 in ECIC I tying with Lancaster and Hamburg atop the division standings.
Medina 46 – #7 Albion 27
The Mustangs cruised in a win over their Route 31 and Niagara-Orleans League rivals, earning their first win over Albion in a decade. Medina features one of the best trios of any in WNY, with returning Section VI champion Dom Callara at 102-pounds, state tournament qualifier Gavin Ciarfella at 118, and experienced senior and sectional place winner RaShawn Bloom at 126.
Canisius 36 – #10 St. Joe’s 27
The Crusaders improved to 2-0 in Msgr. Martin duals after taking down the Marauders for the first time in fifteen years at home. With the only 2-0 league record in the conference, the Crusaders under new head coach John Baldwin and his young assistant coaching staff that features three former Section VI champions control their own destiny in the league championship race. Canisius’s Braydon Vandenberg has been outstanding so far this season, currently 14-0 with ten pins.
#1 Falconer 72 – Dunkirk 6
In only two nights the Golden Falcons are back atop the CCAA Div. I standings tied with Chautauqua Lake at 2-0.
#2 Newfane 72 – Akron 6
The Panthers are 1-0 in the league and 10-1 overall.
#4 Pioneer 66 – Lackawanna 12
The Panthers are once again emerging as the heavy favorite in their league.
#5 Iroquois 51 – Cheektowaga 18
The Chiefs are 1-0 in ECIC II. Look for this team to keep improving as the season goes on.
North Tonawanda 42 – Grand Island 36
The ‘Jacks avenged a week one loss to the Vikings, 33-30, with a Niagara Frontier League win on the road. Seven NT wrestlers earned wins in the dual, including sophomore Hannah McCarley who collected a forfeit. McCarley went 3-0 at the NT Ladyjack Tournament to capture 1st at 110-pounds in the all-female event on Saturday, December 11th.
Springville 38 – Tonawanda 24
The Griffins collected six wins out of eight contested matches, including four pins, to improve to 1-0 in ECIC III and 2-0 overall.
Gowanda/Cattaraugus-Little Valley 46 – Olean 27
After a tough loss on Tuesday the Panthers rebounded with a big win over CCAA I foe Olean. Gowanda won six of the ten contested bouts, five by way of pin, and collected two forfeits in the affair. Next up for the Panthers is a big road test at #3 Chautauqua Lake while Olean hosts #1 Falconer next Wednesday.
Maryvale 36 – Eden 27
Franklinville 24 – Frewsburg 12
Lewiston-Porter @ CSAT
Thursday, December 16th
#4 Niagara Wheatfield 54 – Kenmore 15
The Falcons improved to 2-0 in NFL duals to tie Niagara Falls atop the league table going into the weekend.
Medina 45 – Holley/Kendall (V) 30
The Mustangs improved to 2-0 overall this season with an inter-sectional victory over the Hawks.
Comments