Braves maul Spartans, 55-20
Jake Love, top, of Missoula Sentinel, applies a reverse-half nelson to Dan Jenkins, of Flathead, during their 98-pound match at Saturday afternoon's Class AA dual at FHS. Jenkins lost the match by technical fall, but Flathead won, 55-20. Chris Jordan/Daily Inter Lake
After a lackluster performance on Friday night, the Braves showed up ready to wrestle Saturday. The focus paid off as Flathead beat the Sentinel Spartans, 55-20.
"We had a great warmup and followed with a great performance," Flathead coach Jeff Thompson said.
A.J. Stoick kicked off the action for Flathead at 130 pounds. He went after Sentinel's John Boelman, but was overpowered late in the second period. Boelman pinned him to put the Spartans up, 6-0.
Flathead then went on a 4-0 winning streak started by Duran Flaget. As usual, he put on a show with his throws and blazing quickness.
"He's on fire right now," Thompson said. "It's great for the fans."
Flaget defeated an overwhelmed Andy Love, 17-4.
Sentinel got back on the board at 160 pounds as Austin Lord won a hard-fought battle against Josiah Nelson. After two periods, the wrestlers were tied at three points a piece. Both struggled to find a takedown, and Nelson couldn't find a way to finish on his feet.
Lord took control in the third, scoring two takedowns after receiving a point for his escape and won 8-4.
The match at heavyweight featured two ranked grapplers. Dan Ogden (No. 2) took on Sentinel's Cash Field (No. 4).
The two battled on their feet for the entire first period and took a scoreless tie into the second. Ogden scored a point on an escape and earned another when Field was docked for stalling. As the two heavies tired, action slowed to a crawl.
Both of them were looking for a major throw, but couldn't get it done. Late in the third, Ogden finally notched a takedown to win, 4-1.
"I thought I could do better," Ogden said.
He will likely have another shot at Field at the divisional tournament. Ogden, who has also had some knee problems this season, will also have stiff competition against Butte's Trevor Hass. Hass defeated Ogden at the Rocky Mountain Classic.
"My knee is OK, and I have two more chances at him," Ogden said. "I think our team has a very high chance (to take) state. It should be good."
The Spartans' best wrestler is No. 1-ranked Jake Love at 98 pounds. His speed and takedown technique made for a rough day for Dan Jenkins. Jenkins stayed aggressive throughout the match, but Love had his way and won by technical fall, 21-4.
Sentinel wrestled well in the lower weights and put together back-to-back wins at 112 and 119 pounds.
"My hats off to the coaching staff for Sentinel," Thompson said. "They are a much improved team, and you can tell. They beat a tough Bozeman team that is ranked fourth in the state."
Jeremy LaPorte, a four-time state placer for Flathead in the late 90s, is an assistant coach for Sentinel.
The Braves are now 14-1 in dual action this season. The team travels to Hellgate on Thursday night and then hosts Helena High and Helena Capital on Saturday at noon and 2 p.m. The duals against Helena will be the last time Flathead wrestles at home this year.
BRAVES 55, SENTINEL 20
98 - Jake Love (SEN) tech. fall Dan Jenkins 21-4; 105 - Brian Ham (FHS) pinned Shane Sullivan :14; 112 - Kyle Richie (SEN) dec. Ryan Thiel 11-5; 119 - Daniel Hamilton (SEN) dec. Jesse Morritt 12-7; 125 - Austin Zapata (FHS) pinned Eric Shikopkowski 1:03; 130 - John Boelman (SEN) pinned A.J. Stoick 3:33; 135 - Duran Flaget (FHS) maj. dec. Andy Love 17-4; 140 - Colter Lane (FHS) pinned Justin McKuhne 1:30; 145 - Luke Fischer (FHS) pinned Scott Hickey 1:06; 152 - Tyler Wells (FHS) pinned Ryan Williams 1:22; 160 - Austin Lord (SEN) dec. Josiah Nelson 8-4; 171 - Levi Holt (FHS) won by forfeit; 189 - Scott Cassel (FHS) pinned Karl Beck 1:03; 215 - Damien Farrier (FHS) won by forfeit; 275 - Dan Ogden (FHS) dec. Cash Field 4-1.