Colonels reach Smoky Mountain semifinals; Canes fourth in Silver Division

December 14, 2025

The Cass wrestling team placed fourth in the Gold Bracket of the 17-team 2025 Smoky Mountain Duals on Saturday in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.

The Colonels had dual match wins over Wayne County (GA) (52-22), Clay County (FL) (36-34), Pigeon Forge (TN) (51-29), and Seymour (TN) (53-19) in the preliminary round to earn a spot in the Gold Bracket. Cass then defeated Martin County (KY) 51-24 in the bracket quarterfinals, before falling to Oak Mountain (AL) 36-33 in the semifinals. West Forsyth (GA) edged the Colonels 37-34 in the third-place match.

Top individual performances for the Colonels included Rowdy Duck, who went 5-0 wrestling at 144 and 150 pounds with four pins. John Abernathy (285) finished 6-1 with five pins. Hayden Trimm (120 and 126) went 4-1 with three pins, and David Jewell (157 and 165) finished 4-1 with two pins. Ethan Harrington (165 and 175) was 5-2 with four pins. Codey Dean (215) went 4-2 with three pins. Brandon Lalbehari (106) and Justus Fife (132) both finished 3-2 with one pin, and Zachary Stiles (175 and 190) went 4-3 with three pins.

Cartersville finished in fourth place in the Silver Bracket.

The Hurricanes won three of seven matches, defeating Pigeon Forge #2 (TN) (54-25) and Christian Academy of Knoxville (TN) twice, 59-21 and 54-24. Cartersville suffered losses to Christopher Columbus (FL) (71-12), Cabell Midland (WV) (71-10), Seymour (TN) (42-36), and Pigeon Forge (TN) (42-36).

Cartersville’s Jair Flores (113) finished 6-0 in his bouts with five pins. Colt Priest (120) went 3-2. Fite Casey (106) went 2-2, and Bryson Otto (175 and 190) finished 1-1.

Cass will host the Guerrilla Warfare tournament on Saturday. Cartersville will return to the mats on Friday and Saturday at the Clash at the Creek Duals hosted by Coahulla Creek High School in Whitfield County.

PIATT RUNNER-UP AT SMOKY MOUNTAIN GIRLS INVITATIONAL

Rylan Piatt of the Cass girls' wrestling team finished runner-up Saturday in the 138-pound division of the Smoky Mountain Girls Invitational in Gatlinburg.

Piatt was 2-1 in her bouts, with two wins by pinfall.