Scottsboro features mix of experience, youth

When Scottsboro head wrestling coach Daryle Qualls looks at his Wildcats’ 2013-14 roster, he sees both ends of the experience spectrum.

On one end, he has three former state champions, two returning title winners in senior and Cornell commitment Brandon Womack — a five-time state champion — and sophomore Brett Clark as well as a 2011 state champion in senior Nick Boyett, who along with senior Matthew Franko were state finalists last season.

Also back is senior Cole Bartlett, whom Qualls believes could have won a state title if not for a freak accident that ended his postseason run at sectionals. The Wildcats also return sophomore Jordan Mitchell and senior Jacob Goggins, who were starters last season. Scottsboro did lose two-time defending 106-pound state champion Arick Shankles, who moved to Muscle Shoals in the offseason.

On the other end of the experience spectrum, however, Qualls sees a lot of youth. Three seventh-graders and one eighth-grader are expected to find a starting spot in the lineup in the lower weight classes.

“We’ve got a lot of experience. We’ve got some great wrestlers,” Qualls said. “But we’ve got some young kids that are going to be in there. It’s going to be difficult with our schedule. They’re going to have to grow up a lot by the end of the year. Hopefully they come through for us.”

Scottsboro wrestlers will again face a daunting schedule, the type that Qualls believes makes the difference come the postseason.

The Wildcats will take part in several high-level events, including the Tullahoma (Tenn.) Duals (Dec. 14), the Bradley Central (Tenn.) Invitational (Dec. 20-21), the Independence (Tenn.) Duals and Invitational (Dec. 27-28) and the Alabama State Duals (Jan. 10-11).

Several members of Scottsboro’s team will compete in “The Beast of the East” Tournament in Delaware on Dec. 21-22. That national event is regarded as the toughest in-season high school tournament in the country, Qualls said.

Scottsboro starts its season however at home on Friday with the annual Early Bird Duals. The Wildcats will be joined by Class 5A rival Southside, 6A teams Bob Jones, James Clemens and Sparkman and Georgia squad Ridgeland. The action begins at 9 a.m. at Carter Gymnasium.

Qualls said last week that his projected lineup for the Early Bird Duals would likely have eighth-grader John McAlpin in the 106-pound weight class, seventh-grader Kolton Clark at 113, junior Taylor Campbell at 120, eighth-grader Tanner Woodall at 126, Mitchell at 132, seventh-grader Travis Woodall at 138, Bartlett at 145, Clark at 152, Womack at 160, Boyett at 170, Franko at 220 and freshman Lane Corbitt at heavyweight. Goggins and junior Jordan Whitehead will be the starters at 182 and 195, though Qualls was unsure as of the weekend as to which wrestler would fill which slot.

Despite some question marks entering the season, Qualls expects his Wildcats will be in contention for the state championship, battling chief 5A rivals Southside and Arab, the defending state champion, for the top spot.

“We’re going to be there,” he said.