Lions open season with loss as Raiders celebrate Senior Night

By Maurice Patton

SPRING HILL – Senior Night festivities aren’t common occurrences in December, but Beau Moss wasn’t taking any chances.

“We were worried,” the Spring Hill wrestling coach admitted, regarding the possibility of the Raiders’ season ending abruptly as a result of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. “We wanted to get it in early. I’m glad we did.”

Isaiah Brooks, Kemonta Fry, Jeffrey Jessup and Isaac Juarez were recognized along with their parents prior to the Tuesday tri-match between Columbia Central, Eagleville and the hosts. Eagleville somewhat spoiled the merriment, defeating the Raiders 53-27 after downing Central 66-11, but Spring Hill ended the night on a high note with a 54-18 win over the Lions.

“We wrestled Eagleville Saturday (at the Brentwood Duals). I think we’re in better shape,” Moss said. “We wrestled them better than we did Saturday. We’re still giving up four (weight) spots, but we’re getting into our weights. We’re still settling in.”

Spring Hill’s Scott Carter (right) controls Eagleville 152-pounder Justin Dennis during Tuesday’s wrestling match. Carter recorded a 6-2 decision. (Photo by Maurice Patton / SM-Tn Sports)

In just over a week, Spring Hill has managed to wrestle 11 dual matches – dropping a pair on Dec. 1 against Summit and host Franklin, facing Watertown and host Cascade two days later and getting in five matches Saturday at Brentwood.

Brooks looked sharp in his only match of the night, pinning Eagleville’s Zach Lewis in 1:08 at 120 pounds, while Brady Morrison won twice by pin – in 52 seconds against Eagleville’s Kaleb Snitzer and in 1:56 against Central’s Jovontris Sharp at 132.

The Lions, making their season debut, got a pair of victories from Tay Cofer, who defeated Eagleville’s 152-pounder Justin Dennis by technical fall (17-2) and Jessup on a third-period pin at 160. Central 285-pounder Keimauri Smith also picked up two pins, against Eagleville’s Joseph Williamson and Juarez.

“We’re just happy we’re wrestling and getting to compete,” second-year Central coach Dane Peoples said. “This was our first competition, we had some success and won some matches. We just need to get in the (wrestling) room.

“Three months ago, we didn’t think we were going to wrestle.”

Columbia Central’s Jovontris Sharp gets the explanation of a call from Matt Stoltz during Tuesday’s wrestling tri-match at Spring Hill. (Photo by Maurice Patton / SM-Tn Sports)

In girls matches, Central’s Brianna Gaytan pinned Spring Hill’s Rose Dawson and Central’s Savannah Honea decisioned Spring Hill’s Natalie Turpin 8-4.

Columbia Central resumes action Thursday against visiting Marshall County. Spring Hill will be in the duals tournament Saturday at Independence.

Eagleville 66, Columbia Central 11: 106 – Tanner Hatchell (E) by forfeit; 113 – Jacob Pennington (E) by forfeit; 120 – Zach Lewis (E) by forfeit; 126 – double forfeit; 132 – Kaleb Snitzer (E) p. Jovontris Sharp, 2:17; 138 – Gabriel Pennington (E) by forfeit; 145 – Erik Johnson (E) by forfeit; 152 – Tay Cofer (C) tf. Justin Dennis 17-2; 160 — Donevin Darnell (E) p. Nathan Neely, 3:41; 170 – Dax VanEkelenburg (E) p. Jeremy Bendermon, 2:20; 182 – Elijah Barrett (E) by forfeit; 195 – Matthew Garber (E) by forfeit; 220 – Oscar Guerra (E) p. Jaylan McCoy, 2:43; 285 – Keimauri Smith (C) p. Joseph Williamson, 2:15

Eagleville 53, Spring Hill 24: 113 – Jacob Pennington (E) by forfeit; 120 – Isaiah Brooks (SH) p. Zach Lewis, 1:08; 126 – Johnathan Childs (SH) by forfeit; 132 – Brady Morrison (SH) p. Kaleb Snitzer, 0:52; 138 – Gabriel Pennington (E) p. Landon Bingham, 0:23; 145 – Erik Johnson (E) tf. Josh Duncan 18-3; 152 – Scott Carter (SH) d. Justin Dennis 6-2; 160 – Donevin Darnell (E) p. Kemonta Fry, 1:08; 170 – Jeffrey Jessup (SH) p. Dax VanEkelenburg, 2:38; 182 – Cayden Buchanan (SH) p. Matthew Garber, 2:50; 195 – Elijah Barrett (E) by forfeit; 220 – Oscar Guerra (E) by forfeit; 285 – Joseph Willliamson (E) p. Isaac Juarez, 4:49; 106 – Tanner Hatchell (E) by forfeit

Spring Hill 54, Columbia Central 18: 120 – Isaiah Brooks (SH) by forfeit; 126 – Johnathan Childs (SH) by forfeit; 132 – Brady Morrison (SH) p. Jovontris Sharp, 1:56; 138 – Landon Bingham (SH) by forfeit; 145 – Josh Duncan (SH) by forfeit; 152 – Scott Carter (SH) by forfeit; 160 – Tay Cofer (SH) p. Jeffrey Jessup, 4:30; 170 – Nathan Neely (C) by forfeit; 182 – Cayden Buchanan (SH) p. Jeremy Bendermon, 0:36; 195 – Duccio Bianchi (SH) by forfeit; 220 – Jaylan McCoy (C) by forfeit; 285 – Keimauri Smith (C) p. Isaac Juarez, 0:40; 106 – double forfeit; 113 – double forfeit

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