Perkins takes control in Senior Night win over PC

PERKINS TWP. — Perkins showed why it is one of the best wrestling programs in the area on Senior Night. The Pirates handled Port Clinton, which has six state-ranked wrestlers on its roster, 52-24 on Wednesday in front of a good crowd at PHS. "I thought we were a little sloppy, but that's our first dual meet this season," Perkins coach Travis Crabtree said. "It was the first time we were able to put 13 or 14 guys out there. We're getting healthy, which is the important thing for the end of the month. "It's great to get a win on Senior Night. We told them to go out and get pins and they were able to do that." Two Perkins seniors — Braxden Martin at 150 pounds and Trey Harvey at 165 — won by technical fall and pin, respectively. Martin, ranked No. 6 in the state at 150 in Division II, was prepared to wrestle PC's Gavin Cornell, who is ranked No. 7 at 150 in Division III. The showcase match never materialized because Cornell couldn't go due to a knee injury sustained in practice. Instead, Martin scored an easy 20-3 technical fall in a match that lasted one period. "I just wanted to have fun and enjoy the moment," Martin said. "The whole week I thought I was gonna wrestle (Cornell). We came here at 4:30 to set up and I found out around 5 he was hurt. I honestly hope he gets better soon. He's a great kid and I'm excited to potentially wrestle him in the near future." Martin, who has battled injuries during his career, is trying to become a three-time All-Ohio wrestler in a couple months. "This is the healthiest I've been, by far," he said. "I feel like if I continue to put my trust in the coaches I can get to where I want to be." Harvey scored a pin at the first period buzzer at 165 against Ty Henry to give the Pirates a commanding 35-18 lead. Harvey stayed in control using the cradle before hearing the map slap right before the buzzer. "I got him into that cradle," Harvey said. "He took a shot, I defended the shot and ended up getting to his leg, working my way inward and kept pushing in, trying to get the cradle and trying to push him over. I wanted to stick him there. Went out there and got the job done." Rajon Randleman (120), Ronnie Kromer (132), Quincy Taylor (138) and Jaycion Everett (144) supplied a lot of momentum with early pins for the Pirates. Kromer, one of five state-ranked Pirates, is No. 15 at 126 in Division II. Everett, ranked No. 7 at 138, dominated Elliot Laird (No. 18 at 144 in Div. III) in one of three matches featuring two ranked wrestlers. Perkins' Law Davlin, ranked No. 3 at 165, scored a 19-1 technical fall in 2:56 against Caleb Spencer at 175. Spencer is ranked No. 13 at the weight in Div. III. "We let Law keep his weight because that was the better kid," Crabtree said. "We're trying to get him as many good matches as we can." Perkins' third senior who wrestled Wednesday — De'Shaun Harper, ranked 24th at 215 — was pinned by PC's Malakii Pinkelton at 215. Pinkelton, the top-ranked 195-pounder in the state in Div. III, bull rushed the heavier Harper in the third period for a takedown that led to a pin in 5:06. "My move is double leg or slide-by. I hit him with a double leg," said Pinkelton, who improved to 16-0 on the season. "I've got more moves in my package, but I can double leg for a living, honestly. I double-legged him and got him to his back. "I go out with the mindset that I am No. 1 in the state. I don't fear anybody. I'm gonna go do my work and get it done." PC coach Dustin Cornell said the move that led to a pin is nothing new for his senior standout. "I've watched Malakii wrestle for six years and I don't know if I've ever seen his knee hit the mat on a shot," coach Cornell said. "What you saw on that takedown was every takedown he hits. I don't know if I've ever seen him hit a true takedown." PC also got wins by Rosco Neff (pin at 106), Jordan Carter (12-9 decision at 126) and Jace Cornell, who fought back from an early 3-0 deficit before a reversal late in the first period propelled him to a quality 7-4 decision against Landon Flores. Jace Cornell is ranked No. 19 at 157. "Jace has come a long way technique-wise," coach Cornell said. "He's trying to limit some of his funk and be more solid. He got caught early trying to catch a Russian and got taken down. Late in the second he was able to scramble and get a takedown and pretty much controlled the match from there." PC had to forfeit two weight classes while Perkins forfeited one match. "It's a good environment," coach Cornell said. "Whenever you get to come over and compete against Perkins, one of the better Div. II teams in the area, you take that chance. "We got some things to work on. We're still not as physical as I'd like us to be. But overall we got a of young kids who got mat time tonight. They scrapped a little bit and I was proud of them." Perkins 52, Port Clinton 24 106 — Rosco Neff (PC) pin Hunter Schwerer (P) 1:01113 — Cole Bishop (PC) forfeit120 — Rajon Randleman (P) pin Henry Gabel (PC) 1:21126 — Jordan Carter (PC) dec. Aaron Bunts (P) 12-9132 — Ronnie Kromer (P) pin Carter Thompson (PC) 2:56138 — Quincy Taylor (P) pin Louden Hicks (PC) 2:47144 — Jaycion Everett (P) pin Elliot Laird (PC) 1:11150 — Braxden Martin (P) tech fall Shadon Pollard (PC) 20-3157 — Jace Cornell (PC) dec. Landon Flores (P) 7-4165 — Trey Harvey (P) pin Ty Henry (PC) 2:00175 — Law Davlin (P) tech fall Caleb Spencer (PC) 19-1190 — Cooper Cisco (P) forfeit215 — Malakii Pinkelton (PC) pin De'Shaun Harper (P) 5:06285 — Jordan Pool (P) forfeit