Wrestling Notebook: Archer, Eagles loaded for state title race

Archer is in its fifth season and the Tigers made history last winter with the programs legendary sweep of both the duals and traditional state title. With the sweep, Archer became the first program to sweep both titles in the programs first four years. Ernest Alexander, M.J. Couzan and brothers Daniel Bullard and Thomas Bullard all captured individual state titles. Couzan is a senior that returns after his 58-6 record last year and The Bullard twins return as sophomores. Thomas and Daniel combined to go 112-13 last season. Daniel wrestled at 138 pounds and Thomas won the state title at 145 pounds. These three Archer standouts made up half of the Gwinnett County Super Six, which names the six best wrestlers in the county.

Since 2008, Collins Hill has won five traditional state titles and four dual championships. Starring for the Eagles are seniors Sean Russell and Ryan Millhof. Millhof went 69-0 last season and the two-time state champions only defeat to a Georgia opponent came in the state finals his freshman year. Millhof is ranked No. 1 in the country in his weight class (126). Collins Hill will have Sean Russell, who claimed the state title last season at 106-pounds and posted a 62-2 record a year after his sophomore state championship run. With Russell and the Millhof, Collins Hill will dominate the first two weight classes this season.

In Class 5A, Carrolltons defending state champion Jake Adock transferred to Pope this offseason. Adock got off to a great start to the season by claiming an individual title at the Trojan Invitational this weekend.

In Class 4A, Marist junior Kenneth Brinson earned the War Eagles their first individual state champion since 2006 last season with his perfect 49-0 year. Brinson placed second at 195-pounds his freshman season and is the favorite to repeat this season.

Bufords Chip Ness continues one of the more dominant careers this state will see. Ness is a 3-time state champion and holds a 135-1 all-time record.

Class AA Jefferson aims for its sixth straigt sweep of state titles and in Class A, 220-pound Chance McClure looks for his fourth individual state title this season while hitting the mat for Commerce.





Wrestling Rankings Week 1

Class AAAAAA

1. Archer

2. Collins Hill

3. Camden County

4. Roswell

5. North Gwinnett

6. Kennesaw Mountain

7. Etowah

8. Cherokee

9. Lowndes

10. Parkview



Class AAAAA

1. Pope

2. Ware County

3. Whitewater

4. Ola

5. Creekview

6. Woodland-Cartersville

7. Logansville

8. Starrs Mill

9. Apalachee

10. Union Grove



Class AAAA

1. Gilmer

2. Alexander

3. Carrollton

4. Marist

5. West Laurens

6. Heritage-Catoosa

7. Locust Grove

8. Southeast Whitfield

9. South Effingham

10. Eastside







Class AAA

1. Woodward Academy

2. Banks County

3. Buford

4. Oconee County

5. Morgan County

6. Sonoraville

7. Rockmart

8. Jackson County

9. McNair

10. Elbert County



Class AA

1. Jefferson

2. Bremen

3. GAC

4. Lovett

5. Social Circle

6. Toombs County

7. Fitzgerald

8. East Laurens

9. Monticello

10. Spencer



Class A

1. Gordon Lee

2. Commerce

3. Mt. Zion-Carroll

4. Holy Innocents

5. Athens Christian

6. George Walton Academy

7. Darlington

8. Irwin County

9. ELCA

10. Strong Rock Christian