Woodland topples Cass to win Region 7-AAAAA duals; Tigers and Canes also advance

Woodland's Easton Bishop and Cass’ Bryce Kresho battle in the 126-pound weight class during the Region 7-AAAAA duals championship match.

The Woodland wrestling team won the six-team, Region 7-AAAAA duals championship Saturday at Cartersville High School and remains on track for a possible third-straight state title.

With their region win, the Wildcats will now host a four-team state preliminary meet next week with that winner advancing to the eight-team state finals the following week at Locust Grove High School.

Saturday, Woodland defeated Calhoun in the region semifinals and Cass topped host Cartersville to set up a highly-anticipated championship match between two of the top squads in Class AAAAA and local community rivals. The Wildcats and Colonels split the first eight matches, but Woodland won each of the final six matches starting at 126-pounds to capture the championship. Meanwhile, Calhoun finished third in the region tournament and Cartersville — who finished 2-2 for the day — was fourth. The Canes had wins over Hiram and Blessed Trinity with losses to Cass and Calhoun. As runner-up, Cass advances to a four-team state preliminary meet next week at the Region 5-AAAAA champion. Cartersville will also be on the road in a similar four-team event at the Region 6 champion.

TIGERS RUNNER-UP IN AREA 4-AAA

The Adairsville wrestling team finished runner-up Saturday as they hosted the four-team Area 4-AAA Duals Championship. The Tigers will advance, but will now be on the road at the Area 2 champion for a four-team meet. Adairsville head coach Ryan Torrence said Saturday he expected that opponent to be Pike County. The winner of that four-team meet will advance to the eight-team state finals to be held this season at Cherokee Bluff High School in Flowery Branch. In Saturday’s Area tournament, Adairsville defeated Greater Atlanta Christian and Westminster but lost to Rockmart in the round-robin style meet to finish as runner-up.

Following the meet, Torrence was excited about his team’s chances in the next round. “Isaac Linley (120) and Dalton Cornett (152) had impressive days,” he noted, “and I’m really happy our seniors are getting their season and enjoying success for the work they’ve put in over the last four years.”