Dawgs Close The Door On Wyoming Area 41 - 31 On December 19
Saxton's Pin Lifts Dawgs - Walsh Exacts Revenge From Times Leader
Ferguson & Karns Slam Door Shut & Turn Off The Lights

Berwick played host to the Warriors of Wyoming Area on December 19.  It was no secret that the Warrior Program is much improved and the Dawgs fought tooth and nail in an exciting and highly entertaining dual meet that saw the Dawgs claim victory with a 41-31 win.  The Dawgs are now 2-0 and the "Yates Countdown" now stands at 6 for the 200th career win for Head Coach Ernie Yates.  Dawgs recording falls on the night were Lou Ney, Matt Saxton, Nick Venditti, Steve Ferguson, and Aaron Karns.  The fastest pin of the night was delivered by Aaron Karns in 1:01.

It was a night where the wind kept blowing the door open and close.  It was a night where the outcome would not be ultimately decided until the last bout.

When action started, the Dawg's gym was getting really drafty and the strong breeze that was blowing the door wide open was from the wind that the Warriors were stirring up.  Wyoming Area took the first three bouts by recording a fall, decision, and major decision to take the early 0-13 lead.

Berwick would not let the door crash wide open.  Freshman Dom Yantorn took to the mat with the ferocity of a raging bull and thrashed his opponent around the circle before placing a dominating 19-4 technical fall in the books.  Freshman Steve Prebola followed and engaged in a fierce and competitive battle that would see Steve's arm raised high in the sky for an excellent 13-7 decision.

The strong wind from the Warriors would not stop gusting and Wyoming Area took the next bout by fall.  Berwick now trailed 8-19.  Stellar sophomore Lou Ney sounded the rally cry and entered the circle of war with all guns blazing.  Ney rocketed his opponent throughout the first period before detonating a nuclear blast that fused shoulders to mat for a punishing second period pin.

But Berwick still trailed 14-19.  Another Dawg freshman, Matt Saxton, stood on deck ready for what can be considered the night's most pivotal bout.  A pin by either gladiator and it would be a 12-point swing.  Berwick desperately needed to close the door on Wyoming Area.

Saxton strode out to that inner circle with his singlet blazing the pride and tradition of Berwick Wrestling.  Matt knew the team score.  Matt knew the importance of his upcoming battle on the mat of manhood.  Saxton challenged himself and put on a performance of sheer determination that lifted the crowd to their feet in delivering not only a spectacular pin, but a fall that rose the Dawgs above the Warriors for their first lead of the night by the score of 20-19.

Sophomore standout Nick Venditti appeared next for the Dawgs and would not allow Berwick's rally to diminish.  Nick used his young but veteran leadership to take complete control of his bout off the whistle and cemented his opponent's shoulders to the floor for a pulverizing pin.  Berwick now has some breathing room with a still tentative 26-19 lead.

Wyoming Area just would not go away.  With their own highly competitive spirit, the Warriors took the next two bouts by fall that saw them regain the lead by the score of 26-31. And once again the Warriors would try to open the door that leads to victory hall.  This night's action was certain to be a classic gladiator battle in Berwick's home arena.

With Berwick losing, up next was the night's premier match-up, the bout the fans in the stands paid admission to see.  What more excitement, with a team win in the balance, could one hope for?  This highly anticipated bout featured senior team captain Josh Walsh in a re-match against an opponent he lost to in the consolation semifinal at this past weekend's Times Leader tournament.  Josh was hungry.  Josh wanted revenge.  More importantly, Josh wanted to redeem himself.  Pride was on the line.  It was time to step-up and Josh knew the job that had to be done.

Walsh, wrestling with complete confidence and resolve, took a commanding early lead.  Using his skills on his feet, Josh  played cut-him and take-em-down and put on a takedown clinic.  This was the time to out-wrestle and not out-muscle his opponent and that's exactly what Josh did in capturing an electrifying 7-3 decision.

But Walsh's win was simply not enough.

Berwick was still losing 29-31.

Senior Steve Ferguson was in the wings next.  Ferguson, wrestling with a renewed vigor and strength his season, took the matter into his own hands.  Steve donned his armor and exchanged blows with his opponent before nailing shoulders to the floor for a thunderous fall that lifted the Dawg Faithful to their feet and elevated the Dawgs back into the lead by the score of 35-31.

With the night's outcome still in the balance, there was one bout left.  Sophomore Aaron Karns, a battle tested sophomore that started all of last season, had just one task at hand.  Karns must slam the door shut and turn off the lights on the Warriors if the Dawgs would be victorious.  Karns shot out of the gates faster than a speeding bullet and hand-delivered a lighting fast and fatal punishing pin that put the Dawg Faithful once again on their feet for the final time of the night.

The door to the hallway of victory was now wide open.  It was Berwick's door.  And the sign above the hallway of victory now read Berwick 41 - Wyoming Area 31.

Winning Dawgs Against Wyoming Area
Dom Yantorn:  Tech Fall
Steve Prebola:  Decision
Lou Ney:  Fall
Matt Saxton:  Fall
Nick Venditti:  Fall
Josh Walsh:  Decision
Steve Ferguson:  Fall
Aaron Karns:  Fall

Congratulations Dawgs!!