Feb. 15, 2007 High School Blog
Massabesic stuns Noble for Maine Class A crown
By Rob Sherrill, W.I.N. High School Editor
North Berwick Noble High was looking to stand alone after the Maine state tournament Saturday.
As we’ve reported here frequently, Noble has been one of Maine’s elite teams for some time. In fact, Noble has won the last eight Class A state crowns, etching its name into the state record books next to Sanford High, which won eight straight from 1961-68. That came prior to the days of the current three-class system.
Another victory last weekend and Noble would have stood alone atop the state in that category. But the ghost of the Sanford streak will remain in the record book after all.
Enter Waterboro Massabesic High, second to the Knights last year, which got titles from sophomores Peter Gilman (135) and Joey Eon (140) and junior Josh Eon (171) and outscored Noble, 145.5-130.5. Massabesic had an 11-7 edge in state qualifiers, which eventually told the tale.
In Class C, Dexter High’s Jeremiah Barkac (112) became the state’s seventh four-time champion. Barkac’s older brother, Chris, also won four state titles from 2002-05.
Noble’s Magnificent Seven did all it could, matching Massabesic with three champions, five finalists and holding a 7-6 edge in top-three finishers. But Massabesic’s three fourth-place finishers showed their depth.
The Eon brothers, sons of Massabesic coach Bobby Eon, won their second state titles.
Seniors Jake Longley (112) and Jesse Rayworth (189) won their second titles for Noble and senior Jake Badger (130) was Noble’s third champion.
Eliot Marshwood High junior John Hussey (152) won his third state title, pinning his way through the weight class. Portland Deering High junior Chris Smith repeated at 119 pounds after winning at 125 as a sophomore.
Class B: After seeing a seven-year title streak ended by Rumford Mountain Valley High a year ago, Rockport Camden Hills High got back on track, winning, 202-162.5, over Belfast High with eight finalists. Mountain Valley (127.5 points) finished third.
The top three teams combined to take 11 of the 14 state championships, with Camden Hills and Belfast claiming four champions each.
Senior Cody Laite (140) and junior Jacob Berry (152) both pinned their way to their second state titles for Camden Hills. Junior Jim Spencer (130) and his sophomore brother, Travis (189), won their second state titles for Belfast and senior Logan Kelley (215) also won for the second time. Travis Spencer also won with three pins.
One of Camden Hills’ finalists was junior Kristi Pearse (103), who lost to Caribou High’s Carlin Dubay in the title match for the second consecutive year.
Class C: Ahead by just 2.5 points with four matches remaining, Dixfield Dirigo High got a clinching title from two-time state champion Kyle Miele (171) and Kevin O’Leary (189) and Pat O’Leary (285) also won titles as Dirigo won its first state since 1996, 183-171.5 over defending champion Lisbon Falls Lisbon High.
Junior Jon Smith (140) won his second title for Dirigo.
Barkac won his fourth title by pinning the defending 103-pound champion, fellow senior Jeff Cossar of Lisbon. Senior Tyler Clark won his second 125-pound title and Ryan Giusto (135) and Mark Stambach (215) also won for Lisbon.
Junior Jerrod Rideout (145) of Dover-Foxcroft Foxcroft Academy won his third title and Dexter High senior Billy Greene (152) also repeated.
Former New Mexico star Peperas back on mat in Oklahoma
His return wasn’t enough to help Midwest City (Okla.) High win the Class 5A dual state title, but two-time New Mexico state champion Derek Peperas has made it beyond an injury-filled season to get back in the Bombers lineup.
Thanks to knee surgery, among other things, Peperas, 49-0 and the 160-pound Class 5A champion last year at Santa Fe (N.M.) High, missed plenty of valuable mat time, but was able to get back on the mat at 171 for Midwest City’s dual state run. He scored a pin as the Bombers beat Sapulpa High 51-12 in the dual state quarterfinals. He added a 7-4 victory over Tulsa Union High’s Ron Morris in the semifinals, but Union ended Midwest City’s title bid, 29-27 en route to the title.
Union prevailed over Ponca City High in the final on criteria, taking the crown on an 8-6 edge in victories after the two teams tied at 30-30.
After seeing its 10-year title streak ended by Catoosa High last year, El Reno High returned to the summit with a 34-26 victory over Catoosa. With his team ahead by five points, state champion Chris Hacker, moved up a weight to 160, clinched the title by beating Spencer Hobbs 1-0. Perry High became the state’s only repeat champion, winning its fifth consecutive Class 2A title, and Cushing High prevailed in Class 3A.
By Rob Sherrill, W.I.N. High School Editor
North Berwick Noble High was looking to stand alone after the Maine state tournament Saturday.
As we’ve reported here frequently, Noble has been one of Maine’s elite teams for some time. In fact, Noble has won the last eight Class A state crowns, etching its name into the state record books next to Sanford High, which won eight straight from 1961-68. That came prior to the days of the current three-class system.
Another victory last weekend and Noble would have stood alone atop the state in that category. But the ghost of the Sanford streak will remain in the record book after all.
Enter Waterboro Massabesic High, second to the Knights last year, which got titles from sophomores Peter Gilman (135) and Joey Eon (140) and junior Josh Eon (171) and outscored Noble, 145.5-130.5. Massabesic had an 11-7 edge in state qualifiers, which eventually told the tale.
In Class C, Dexter High’s Jeremiah Barkac (112) became the state’s seventh four-time champion. Barkac’s older brother, Chris, also won four state titles from 2002-05.
Noble’s Magnificent Seven did all it could, matching Massabesic with three champions, five finalists and holding a 7-6 edge in top-three finishers. But Massabesic’s three fourth-place finishers showed their depth.
The Eon brothers, sons of Massabesic coach Bobby Eon, won their second state titles.
Seniors Jake Longley (112) and Jesse Rayworth (189) won their second titles for Noble and senior Jake Badger (130) was Noble’s third champion.
Eliot Marshwood High junior John Hussey (152) won his third state title, pinning his way through the weight class. Portland Deering High junior Chris Smith repeated at 119 pounds after winning at 125 as a sophomore.
Class B: After seeing a seven-year title streak ended by Rumford Mountain Valley High a year ago, Rockport Camden Hills High got back on track, winning, 202-162.5, over Belfast High with eight finalists. Mountain Valley (127.5 points) finished third.
The top three teams combined to take 11 of the 14 state championships, with Camden Hills and Belfast claiming four champions each.
Senior Cody Laite (140) and junior Jacob Berry (152) both pinned their way to their second state titles for Camden Hills. Junior Jim Spencer (130) and his sophomore brother, Travis (189), won their second state titles for Belfast and senior Logan Kelley (215) also won for the second time. Travis Spencer also won with three pins.
One of Camden Hills’ finalists was junior Kristi Pearse (103), who lost to Caribou High’s Carlin Dubay in the title match for the second consecutive year.
Class C: Ahead by just 2.5 points with four matches remaining, Dixfield Dirigo High got a clinching title from two-time state champion Kyle Miele (171) and Kevin O’Leary (189) and Pat O’Leary (285) also won titles as Dirigo won its first state since 1996, 183-171.5 over defending champion Lisbon Falls Lisbon High.
Junior Jon Smith (140) won his second title for Dirigo.
Barkac won his fourth title by pinning the defending 103-pound champion, fellow senior Jeff Cossar of Lisbon. Senior Tyler Clark won his second 125-pound title and Ryan Giusto (135) and Mark Stambach (215) also won for Lisbon.
Junior Jerrod Rideout (145) of Dover-Foxcroft Foxcroft Academy won his third title and Dexter High senior Billy Greene (152) also repeated.
Former New Mexico star Peperas back on mat in Oklahoma
His return wasn’t enough to help Midwest City (Okla.) High win the Class 5A dual state title, but two-time New Mexico state champion Derek Peperas has made it beyond an injury-filled season to get back in the Bombers lineup.
Thanks to knee surgery, among other things, Peperas, 49-0 and the 160-pound Class 5A champion last year at Santa Fe (N.M.) High, missed plenty of valuable mat time, but was able to get back on the mat at 171 for Midwest City’s dual state run. He scored a pin as the Bombers beat Sapulpa High 51-12 in the dual state quarterfinals. He added a 7-4 victory over Tulsa Union High’s Ron Morris in the semifinals, but Union ended Midwest City’s title bid, 29-27 en route to the title.
Union prevailed over Ponca City High in the final on criteria, taking the crown on an 8-6 edge in victories after the two teams tied at 30-30.
After seeing its 10-year title streak ended by Catoosa High last year, El Reno High returned to the summit with a 34-26 victory over Catoosa. With his team ahead by five points, state champion Chris Hacker, moved up a weight to 160, clinched the title by beating Spencer Hobbs 1-0. Perry High became the state’s only repeat champion, winning its fifth consecutive Class 2A title, and Cushing High prevailed in Class 3A.