Mat Leopards head to State Duals

After two delays for weather, the 8-AA Area Duals finally were decided at Riverside Military Academy on Monday.

It came as no surprise that wrestling powerhouse Jefferson took top honors at the duals.

Banks County came in second after North Oconee defeated Dawson County, eliminating the need for a true second match.

The Leopards faced East Jackson in the first round of the duals and defeated the Eagles 57-18. In the second round, Banks met North Oconee and won 48-27.

“We wrestled pretty good,” said coach Kasey Hanley.

The win over North Oconee placed Banks in the final round against Jefferson.

With the chance that the Leopards could be facing a challenge for second place, Hanley opted to wrestle the JV Leopards against Jefferson, keeping the varsity grapplers fresh.

Jefferson and Banks County now advance to the State Duals in Macon this weekend. The double elimination tournament begins on Friday.

Preliminary brackets show Banks wrestling Sonoraville in the first round, with the winner facing the better of Cook versus McIntosh.

Jefferson will be the team to beat as the Dragons look to defend their title.

Jefferson meets Fitzgerald on the mats in the first round, with the winner of Jordan versus Benedictine in the wings.

The rest of the teams competing in the State Duals include Dublin, Dade, Monticello, Lovett, Henry County, East Laurens, Blessed Trinity and Spencer.