Wrestling: Camden County tops Archer for 7A dual state title

Camden County scored a convincing 50-15 win over Archer in the finals of the GHSA Team Dual State Championships Saturday at the Macon Centreplex to capture the Class 7A title. The Wildcats jumped into the new Class 7A this year after winning three consecutive Class 5A Dual titles. Archer’s attempt at a fifth straight team title in Georgia’s highest classification was denied in the process. Camden County opened the state tournament with a 71-17 win over Rockdale County, and followed it with a 56-8 win over Brookwood and a 45-8 victory over Mountain View in the semifinals. Archer sent North Forsyth to the consolation finals with a 33-26 win in the semis, and the Raiders narrowly defeated Mountain View 35-34 for third place.

Alexander won its first-ever Dual state title with a 37-28 victory over South Paulding. The title marks Alexander’s first wrestling state title since the Cougars took the traditional crown in 2010. Alexander sent Pope to the consolation bracket with a 38-33 and the Greyhounds fell short to Richmond Hill 33-27. Allatoona and Valdosta squared off in the semifinals of the consolation bracket before Richmond Hill clinched third place with a 33-30 decision over Valdosta.

In Class 5A, Buford topped Woodland-Cartersville in the finals to capture its first dual state title since 2014. Union Grove outscored Clarke Central 53-15 in the semifinals of the consolation bracket and then topped Cass 43-29 to clinch third-place.

In Class 4A, Jefferson defeated Gilmer 35-28 to capture its 16^th straight state title. Gilmer’s streak of seven straight state titles was snapped in the Dragons’ first year in Class 4A. Bremen survived a 34-33 match in the semifinals over Jackson County and then took the Class 3A title with a 36-21 win over Lumpkin County. Jackson County faced Sonoraville in the consolation finals and fell 31-29 to the Phoenix.

Social Circle completed the three-peat in Class 2A with a 35-24 win over Toombs County. Fitzgerald fell 39-24 to Social Circle in the semifinals before taking third-place with a 58-20 rout over Pepperell.

Commerce scored the most lopsided finals of the weekend win, taking the program’s fourth straight Class A state title with a 74-3 win over Wesleyan.

Class 7A

1. Camden County
2. Archer
3. North Forsyth
4. Mountain View

Class 6A

1. Alexander
2. South Paulding
3. Richmond Hill
4. Valdosta

Class 5A

1. Buford
2. Woodland-Cartersville
3. Union Grove
4. Cass

Class 4A

1. Jefferson
2. Gilmer
3. Luella
4. Troup

Class 3A

1. Bremen
2. Lumpkin County
3. Sonoraville
4. Jackson County

Class 2A

1. Social Circle
2. Toombs County
3. Fitzgerald
4. Pepperell

Class A

1. Commerce
2. Wesleyan
3. Trion
4. Turner County