Eaglez22

I will agree 100% that the Ryan wrestlers were far superior technically. It is noteworthy that BA sent 4 freshmen and an 8th grader to face an extremely strong High School team. A head on assault would have been brave, but unwise in my opinion. I could tell that the Ryan wrestlers were frustrated with the tactics that you described. I don't think they were able to pin any of the youngsters. In fact, I think that BA and Ryan surrendered the exact same number of pins. It is a darn shame that they would not cooperate and let the Ryan wrestlers execute their moves. BA did not charge admission, so you did not get cheated at least. BA was missing their 135, 140, 160 & 171 (Gibbs, Riley, Proctor & Lundborg). Every remaining starter from 130-160 was bumped up one weight class. It was not just Cash. You may be correct, but the bumping up started at 130, so it seemed like Cash was planning to wrestle 152 the whole way. You may be right. I am just presenting other facts that existed. I hope the MBA wrestlers cooperate and allow the Ryan wrestlers to execute their moves for you.

This is very much opinion driven. However, I would contend that you have mentioned wrestlers that were "THE best" of their era and weight - "one of the best" in state history. I would contend that Justin Cash is one of the best or "elite" of the current wrestlers. Anything else is yet to be determined.

See, I thought "elite" meant something to the effect of "One of the best". Actually, I am pretty certain of that. I guess we agree in principle even if you will not admit it.

I agree with you. I wasn't trying to say that you should like him because he is a top wrestler. I was just replying to a post in which I disagreed.

There are 168 place winners in the state of Tennessee each year. You could make many cases and exceptions in both divisions for "elite" or non-elite. I think most people would, however, include Justin as one of the states best wrestlers.

That is EXACTLY what happened. Cox started the slapping and Cash responded in kind.

I know what you are talking about last year and it is nothing like his personality. He is very soft spoken and modest. I think he is trying harder to wrestle in a way this is more consistent with his personality this year.

"Konz. without a doubt."???? This must be Mrs. Konz.... Cash is WAY too strong to dismiss as a lock for Konz. Cash may be an underdog, but there is PLENTY of doubt. Cash has whipped some solid 160lb opponents this season.

I was watching a video with my two sons who are wrestlers. The match that we were watching "starred" Jack Faircloth as the official. My oldest son said, "That is my favorite official!" My younger son, said "Mine too!". I did not realize that wrestlers even noticed (I did not wrestle). So, I have to go with Jack, based on my sons' vote.

He is a sub-100 pounder that has had a great start, winning the 103 pound gold at the Harpeth. He has been quick and technical so far to defeat older stronger opponents.

The Mater Dei victory over Ryan, I think, makes a bigger statement of the gap between Ryan and Mater Dei. Mater Dei and Ryan, both, killed the other teams in the tournament. I am not trying to say that TN is a good as Indiana. I am just saying that you can't judge the whole state by that dual. Mater Dei has won the last two state championships in Indiana and the finals last year was not close.

BA did not beat anyone, nor did they really seem to try. Some of the guys who did not wrestle at Overton, wrestled today and they won the Harpeth tourney.

I ran across an old home video and remembered your post when I was watching. I thought that I would share it. The environment is totally different for sure. DISCLAIMER: This is not intended to be video to glorify BA. Please accept it for historical content. These are clips from the 1980 AA Title game. BA vs Rule High School out of Knoxville. BA featured Kent Austin #12 at QB & Jimmy Hockaday #85 and Rule featured Terry Minor #1 at QB who committed to UT, withdrew the commitment and went to Clemson. That Rule team also featured the Copher brothers. I know at least one of them played for some years in the NFL. We narrowly escape when the back up QB fumbles a snap a the end of the game. Bill Wade is the trophy presenter. I can't imagine how things would have been if this BA/MBA title game would have been played at MBA... Here is the link: http://www.vimeo.com/408432