CLEVELAND, Tenn. - With the spotlight centered on two of the state's most prestigious wrestling programs, a quick start for fourth-ranked Bradley Central did not last long Tuesday night.
Proving to be head and heels above the rest of their Class AAA competition so far this season, the top-ranked Cleveland Blue Raiders rumbled to a 54-10 win over their archrivals on senior night inside Raider Arena.
Huge OT win (7-5 dec) for Cleveland freshman Ashton Davis, who is still undefeated on the season. Davis fought back to tie in last 15 seconds. Blue Raiders up 23-10. #bestofpreps pic.twitter.com/3vxbAnJaMr
— Patrick MacCoon (@PMacCoon) January 9, 2019
"They are the best team in the state in our classification and arguably right at the top of the entire state with Baylor," Bradley coach Ben Smith said. "We were clearly outmatched in some spots, and we lost some decisions we could have won. Kudos to them."
The "Big Blue," who also have a 52-12 win over second-ranked Wilson Central this season, picked up six victories by pin and were ignited by a dominant top-ranked trio in Logan Whiteside, Grant Lundy and reigning state champion Austin Mathews in the 138-152 weight-class range.
Without a loss to an in-state opponent this season, Whiteside (28-5) picked up the quickest slap of the mat of the heated duals match in just 35 seconds. Lundy followed with a technical fall in one of four ranked matches, and Sweeney pinned his opponent in 2:54 to give Cleveland a 17-10 lead.
No. 1 trio of Logan Whiteside, Grant Lundy and Austin Sweeney all dominate their matches. Just like that Cleveland is up 17-10 after six matches. #bestofpreps pic.twitter.com/4YOdEA8VGC
— Patrick MacCoon (@PMacCoon) January 9, 2019
The Bears (17-5) did not give up the fight as they battled in the 160 and 170 matches but could not come through in the final seconds.
Cleveland (23-1) was given an extra boost of momentum for a group with six wrestlers ranked first in the state.
Junior Zach Brezna landed a takedown in the final 20 seconds for a 6-5 decision at 160, while freshman Pan Am winner Ashton Davis gutted out a 7-5 overtime victory at 170 to ignite his home sideline. Davis tied the score in the final 15 seconds of the third period.
"We didn't let the early deficit keep us down," Cleveland coach Joey Knox said. "The 170 match was absolutely huge for us. It could have swung either way. Ashton found a way to get it done. He and Zach are big keys to our lineup."
One of the most anticipated matches of the night featured No. 2 DJ Gibson for the Bears against No. 3 Isaiah Perez at 195. In a heated bout filled with brute strength, it was Perez who controlled the tone in a 7-3 decision where he had several big takedowns.
"As one of seven senior starters, we are really trying to lead this team and bring home some more state championships," Perez said. "We know half the team is going to be gone next year to graduation. We want to give them a little legacy to work off of."
Cleveland dominated the heavier weight classes as No. 3 Wilson Benefield and No. 2 Titus Swafford both landed second-round pins.
Nationally ranked sophomore Trae McDaniel (31) led 20-6 in the third period before flattening his opponent. Fellow first-ranked Blue Raider Jackson Bradford finished the match with a 17-2 tech fall.
"This was a great night for our program," Knox said. "I really respect Bradley Central. They wrestled with a great strategy, but our guys really wanted this on senior night."
Cleveland powered to 11 straight victories in a match that started at 120 with wins from Wes DeVaney, Daniel Mroz and Gavin Hughes for the Bears.
Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com.