There are several teams with the credentials to qualify for the state duals, but oh-so-few spaces.
But Jackson County (11-2) aims to be one of the two representatives out of Area 8-AA moving on to the state duals next week.
While that’s a tall order, it’s one Panther coach Jason Powers said his team can fulfill when it wrestles Friday and Saturday at the area duals at Jefferson.
“I definitely expect to be there,” Powers said of advancing to state. “But we have a lot of work in front of us to get there.”
Tournament host Jefferson (20-0), which has won nine-straight dual state titles, is an obvious favorite to reach state. Powers also points to Banks County, which recently beat the Panthers in dual action. The coach also notes that Dawson County (15-4), North Oconee and Fannin County have strong clubs.
“We’ve got some tough dual teams in our area,” Powers said. “It’s going to be pretty rough to get out.”
The state duals are Jan. 14-15 in Macon.
Powers expects his 11-win group to be seeded either third or fourth in the area duals when action begins Friday.
He noted that his team has always had its hurdles to overcome to get to state and this year is no different. Jackson County has reached the state duals three out of the last four years.
“I’m really looking for another chance to make it back to state,” Powers said.
The Panthers will return to their regular schedule Jan. 21-22 at the East Metro tournament at Alcovy. After that, Jackson County has one more tournament — the Jan. 28-29 Sweet Onion Classic in Toombs County — before the traditional area tournament (Feb. 4-5).
The team is coming off a second-place finish in the Dec. 30 Georgia-Carolina Classic at Hart County.
The Panthers finished 4-1 in the duals events, falling to Banks County 45-30 in the finals.
“We had some good matches,” Powers said of the title contest against Banks County. “The final score should have been a little bit closer but I had to forfeit a match in the end.”
Jackson County beat Cross Creek, Walhalla (S.C.), Hart County and a junior varsity team made up of members of multiple teams at the tournament.
“It wasn’t the strongest lineup we’ve put together this season … ,” Powers said, adding that the Panthers have been shorthanded in many dual matches this year. “But I was pleased.”
Jackson County had several wrestlers go 5-0 in the event: Jamie Stapler (103-lb.), Zach Moore (112-lb.), Ryan Shekey (130-lb.), Justin Brewer (140-lb.), Daivon Ledford (160-lb.) and Austin McDonald (215-lb.).
