MACON, Ga. - Six classifications of Georgia high school wrestling teams will be determining champions today at the GHSA Duals Championships at the Macon Centreplex. While the upper classes are dotted with regionally and nationally ranked teams, the most anticipated matchup arguably resides in the smallest class.
Gordon Lee and Holy Innocents' will renew hostilities today at 3 p.m. to decide the Class A championship, a rematch of last year's controversial finals matchup that ended with Holy Innocents' winning on what was later ruled to be an incorrect scoring ruling.
After repeated attempts at appeal by Gordon Lee, the GHSA sent the matter to its executive committee, which admitted there had been an error and officially named each team dual champion.
The situation didn't sit well with either school, and each views today's meeting as a chance to settle the matter once and for all.
"They've been ready for this one since day one of practice," Gordon Lee coach Brent Raby said. "Holy Innocents' looks good and they'll be a challenge, but we're ready to get after it. Win or lose, this is what we wanted. If they beat us and everything is fair, I'll shake their hands and walk away."
The Trojans routed Irwin County 60-16 in Friday's first match and then, after spotting Commerce 12 quick points, rolled past the third-ranked team, 42-27. Holy Innocents' blanked Strong Rock Christian 73-0 and downed Mount Zion 49-15.
Another defending champion in the championship round is Area 7-AAAA kingpin Gilmer County, which will face Alexander in the AAAA title match today at 3. The Bobcats rolled past Perry, 64-9, and defeated fourth-ranked Carrollton 42-27 to make the finals. Gilmer upset area foe Heritage to win last year's dual title.
While Gilmer will be favored in Class AAAA, Gordon Lee is considered the underdog today after being seeded behind Holy Innocents', a development that stoked the Trojans' fire even more.
"We wanted to see Holy Innocents' in the finals; that's the only way we wanted it," senior Blake Clayton said. "We just have to stay off our backs and hammer them when we get the chance."