Dawgs Stomp On Mohawks With 51 - 19 Win On January 4

Berwick traveled to Wilkes-Barre to take on the Mohawks of Meyers High School on January 4.  Once again the Dawgs were without their full starting lineup but depth showed it's market value as Berwick stomped the Mohawks by the score of 51-19.  Chris Johnson (5:27), Aaron Karns (1:02), and Tyler Perry (1:35) recorded pins on the night for the Dawgs and Nick Venditti added a technical fall in just 2:31.  Aaron Karns had the fastest pin at the night in 1:02.

"4" is now Berwick's magic number.  The Dawgs are "4-0" on the season.  The "Yates Countdown" also now stands at "4" for the 200th career win for Head Coach Ernie Yates.

The night's competition at Meyers started off with a little see-saw action by both teams.  Sophomore Nick Venditti took the mat for the fist bout of the night and mopped the mat with this opponent's shoulders in recording a dominating 16-0 technical fall in 2:31 and providing Berwick with a 5-0 lead.  The Mohawks would bounce right back the take a 6-5 lead after notching a fall in the next bout.

It was Berwick's turn to tip the see-saw as senior Josh Walsh entered the circle of manhood and physically dominated and out-wrestled his opponent in recording a 11-5 decision that lifted the Dawgs back into lead by the score of 8-6.  Meyers quickly stomped back on the see-saw and nailed a fall in the following bout to drop Berwick back down on the low side of 8-12 score.

The time was ripe to disengage from this early back-and-forth battle and Berwick needed to make a rally statement.  The Dawgs turned to their youth that are veterans beyond their age and a rally ensued - the "sophomore rally."  Sophomore Chris Johnson agreed and entered the circle of battle on fire and physically and mentally overwhelmed his opponent before sending shoulders to the basement with a superb win by a third period fall.  Sophomore Aaron Karns then made sure there would be no opponent response by cleaning the mat with his opponents shoulders before igniting a thunderous pin that shook throughout the gymnasium in a lightning quick 1:02..  The Dawgs were not done and another sophomore, Steve Beck, took to the circle with fearless determination and simply over-powered his opponent in securing an excellent 12-3 major decision.

Berwick was now in the lead by the score of 24-12.

Meyers took a gasp of air and captured the next bout by a very close 6-4 decision.  However, the Mohawks were then forced to offer three consecutive free admission passes to senior Zeb Bankes, freshman Dom Yantorn, and freshman Steve Prebola.

The forfeits took their toll on Meyers and only added to Berwick's rally.  The Dawgs now had a commanding 42-15 lead.

In the night's most exciting match-up, sophomore Lou Ney entered the circle of battle.  Ney, another sophomore more battle-tested than most upper-classman, used his youthful veteran experience to out-maneuver and out-wrestle his opponent in recording an impressive 3-0 decision.  Meyers would take one last gasp of air and captured the next bout by major decision.  Junior Tyler Perry performed the last act of the evening's performance and what a finale it was.  Perry tore out of the gates on fire and added his own lighting show to the dimmed mat area with a flashing and blinding explosive pin in 1:35 that prematurely ended his opponent's time on the mat and also concluded the night's action in inspiring style.

Berwick left the gymnasium and boarded the bus home with a well-wrestled 51-19 victory in their pocket.

Winning Dawgs Against Meyers
Nick Venditti:  Technical Fall
Josh Walsh:  Decision
Chris Johnson:  Fall
Aaron Karns:  Fall
Steve Beck:  Major Decision
Zeb Bankes:  Forfeit
Dom Yantorn:  Forfeit
Steve Prebola:  Forfeit
Lou Ney:  Decision
Tyler Perry:  Fall

Congratulations Dawgs!!

Dawgs compete next at the Virginia Battlefield Duals on Friday & Saturday, January 6 & 7.  More Information on the Battlefield Duals is listed below.

Results from the VA Battlefield Duals will be posted Sunday during late afternoon or evening.  This webmaster will not be making the trip to Virginia and will be in Troy for an all-day junior high tournament on  Saturday.  Dawgs - Let's kick some butt at the BF Duals.  Also, best wishes to Head Coach Ernie Yates who may get his 200th win while in Virginia.

Go Dawgs!!