Two short days after a home stand, the Blackman Blaze eagerly boarded the bus and traveled to Manchester for some Region 5 action on Thursday night. The meet was held at the Coffee County Raider Academy and both Coffee County and Tullahoma’s teams were on hand and ready to battle.
Blackman started the evening with Coffee County at 106 pounds. Evan Smart saw some of his first varsity action in a spirited match against Coffee County’s Brittany Spry. Evan started his varsity career off right with a nice pin at 3:55. Several other JV starters saw action in the meet. Dan Fehlman had a tough match at 145. Dan finally got the pin at 5:15 in the third. Tracer Spurlock had a solid first period pin at 160 as well. Final score – Blackman 62 – Coffee Co 18.
The matchup with Tullahoma was a bit more daunting for the Blaze. Last time the two teams met, Blackman dominated the Wildcats at home 63-14. This time, Tullahoma Coach Al Morris had other plans. The match started out at 113 with Zack Dallas(113) receiving a forfeit and from there, it was quite a bit of back and forth. While the Wildcats never had the lead in the dual, they kept it close by turning four losses from the prior meeting into wins at 120, 152, 170, and 195. Blackman had pins from Apland(126), Fowler(145), Sells(160), and Luker(220). At the end, the score was tied 39-39.
When there is a tie, the coaches anxiously head to the scorebook to try and evaluate the tie breakers.
For those who don’t know, the tie-breaker formula is very interesting and goes by a set of criteria. The criteria list is as follows:
1. The team whose opposing wrestlers or team has been penalized the greater number of team points for flagrant or unsportsmanlike conduct shall be declared the winner.
2. The team whose opposing wrestlers or team personnel have been penalized the greater number of team point deductions shall be declared the winner.
3. The team whose opposing wrestlers were penalized the greater number of match points for unsportsmanlike conduct during a match shall be declared the winner.
4. The team having won the greater number of matches (including forfeits) shall be declared the winner.
5. The team having accumulated the greater number of points for falls, defaults, forfeits, or disqualifications shall be declared the winner.
6. The team having the greater number of points for technical falls shall be declared the winner.
7. The team having the greater number of points for major decisions shall be declared the winner.
8. The team having the greater number (total match points) of first point(s) shall be declared the winner.
9. The team having the greater number of points for near-falls shall be declared the winner.
10. The team having the greater number of takedowns shall be declared the winner.
11. The team having the greater number of reversals shall be declared the winner.
12. The team having the greater number of escapes shall be declared the winner.
13. The team whose opponent has been penalized more often for stalling will be declared the winner.
14. The team whose opponent has been warned more often for stalling will be declared the winner.
15. The team whose opponent has the greater number of points for all other infractions (i.e. false starts)
16. If none of the above resolve the tie, a flip of a disk will determine the winner.
Blackman’s win came on the EIGHTH TIE-BREAKER!! Blackman had 14 “first points” and Tullahoma had 10. Talk about cutting it close!!
Blackman stays unbeaten in the region and will wrestle again this Saturday in the Wildcat Invitational at Wilson Central. Good job guys!! Head to the PHOTOS page to see pics.