Franklin, Tenn. | November 2025
After hosting a successful preseason tournament at home on November 15 — an event made possible by the incredible support of Blackman parents, families, and volunteers — the Blaze officially opened their 2025 competition schedule this weekend at the Battle of the Ship Duals in Franklin. Blackman finished 2nd overall, earning dominant wins throughout the day and showcasing toughness, depth, and team identity in their first true test of the season.
Blackman opened with convincing victories over Forrest (77–6), Station Camp (39–34), West Creek (64–6), and Independence (66–4) before falling to a strong Page team in the championship match.
Russell Delivers the Moment of the Tournament
One of the loudest moments of the entire event belonged to Kyngston Russell in the dual against Station Camp.
The Blaze entered heavyweight trailing in the team score, and Russell was the last man on the mat. After falling behind early, he battled back with grit and pressure, eventually turning the tide, getting a huge reversal and securing a fall!! Thus winning both the match and the dual for Blackman!
The Blackman crowd erupted, teammates stormed the edge of the mat, and Russell cemented his performance as one of the defining early-season highlights.
His final line: 3–1 on the day with two huge pins, including the clutch heavyweight victory the team needed.
Standout Performances Across the Lineup
Several Blaze wrestlers rose to the occasion in Franklin, many going undefeated or picking up big wins in key situations:
Abraham Nadeau — Another Big Day
Abraham Nadeau continued his strong start to the season, going 5–0 with four dominant wins — including two first-period pins, a 20–5 tech fall against Page, and multiple momentum-shifting victories throughout the event.
Junior Andrew Workman continues to be one of the most reliable in the Blaze lineup. No matter where he slotted in, Workman delivered clean, composed wrestling all day and set the tone with his pace and toughness. He is steady, confident, and always ready to battle for big points. He was 5–0 with four pins; controlled matches at 126 and 132 all day.
Consistent Production
The following wrestlers also had outstanding days and helped anchor Blackman’s run to the finals:
- Douglas Barksdale — unbeaten 5-0, picked up major decisions and key wins at 144
- Eli Goodin — multiple pins and a major (5-0), stepping up at 150 in a tough bracket
- Aiden Pascoe — several dominant early pins at 215
- Ethan Clark — went deep into matches and picked up clutch decisions at 190
- Kingston Russell — 4-1 on the same day, strong work at 285 with a huge clutch win to win the dual
- Germaia Ewida — two tech falls and key scoring in multiple duals
From top to bottom, the Blaze lineup competed with intensity, even when challenged with mismatches, injuries, and lineup movement.
Battling Through Injuries and Lineup Changes
Blackman’s second-place finish came despite some lineup bumps and missing wrestlers. Even with a couple of key absences, the Blaze wrestled tough and filled the gaps — showing the kind of depth and resilience that is going to be needed down the stretch.
- Multiple wrestlers bumped up weight classes throughout the day
- Several freshmen and new wrestlers stepped into varsity roles without hesitation
Despite the adversity, the Blaze kept pushing — and kept winning — against strong competition.
Page, who defeated Blackman 43–33 in the finals, is a respected program that has been on the come up in recent years, providing a tough early-season measuring stick.
And even then, the Blaze kept it close.
Once this roster gets healthy, settled, and back into its natural weight classes, the ceiling remains extremely high.
Coach Heathcott’s Take
Head Coach John Heathcott praised the team’s toughness and willingness to step up wherever needed:
“Our guys came to compete and I am so proud of our entire team. We knew it was going to be a battle for all 5 duals; being shorthanded and bumping at least 8 guys in our line up every match. Our team responded and gave everything they have. We have things to clean up and work on for sure, but our team bond and willingness to fight and compete for each other is something special. One proud Coach for sure. Back to work!”
Coach Sean’s Perspective
Assistant Coach Sean Kennedy expressed his thoughts on the team and their performance:
“I’m proud of the way our guys competed this weekend. They showed real grit, filled holes in the lineup, and many stepped up by bumping weights all day without hesitation. We’ve been working hard in practice, and it was great to see those things start to show on the mat. We still have plenty to improve on, but this was a strong team effort and a big step forward.”
Looking Ahead: Blaze Back Home on December 2
Blackman returns to action at home on December 2, and the team hopes to keep building momentum as more wrestlers return to full health.
With continued growth, improved lineup stability, and the effort shown in Franklin, the Blaze are positioned for a big season.
GO BLAZE!!!