BLYTHEWOOD – “So proud of this group, which will go down as the greatest wrestling team so far in the history of this school,” said Blythewood wrestling head coach Paul Watson following the Bengals’ two-point loss to Boiling Springs High School in the Upper State match last Wednesday. “Most wins, went the furthest of any [Blythewood] team in the playoffs – they have worked so hard.”
The Bengal’s final match of the season ended in a 38-36 final, putting them at 31-6 on the season – the program’s best finish in school history.
With a 29-5 regular season record, Blythewood entered the 5A Division 1 playoffs as a one-seed and received a first-round bye.
They opened playoff action on Feb. 1 against Dorman High School at home – the first playoff match the Bengals hosted in program history. Dorman first faced Wade Hampton to advance to a second round match against Blythewood. Dorman turned around to take on the Bengals, who dominated the Cavaliers with a 52-25 final.
Junior Elijah Johnson, a team captain, scored his win number 50 on the season with a pin in the Dorman match.
The Bengals advanced to host fourth-ranked Clover on Feb. 3 in the third round for what Watson described as an “epic battle” – the biggest win in program history. Top-seeded Blythewood downed Clover 36-27 to advance to the Upper State finals for the first time.
Sophomore Aiden Moon, wrestling at 132lb, sealed the by pinning his opponent in the second period. Dillan Boyer, who was tech pinned by his opponent earlier in the season, won the rematch by points.
“We showed heart tonight – inspired wrestling,” Carrigan said.
The win moved Blythewood to 31-5 on the season and set the stage for their Upper State match against Boiling Springs.
Watson knows Blythewood had a special team this season, and credited much of their success to his coaching staff.
“Our staff, especially Coach Evan Carrigan, [has] instilled greatness in these young men,” he said.
We will be back here, this program is on the rise,” said Carrigan
While Blythewood’s run for a state title is over, wrestling season is not. Bengal wrestlers who qualified will have the chance to compete for individual state titles on Friday, Feb. 21 in Florence.
