The Duxbury wrestling season has been on a rollercoaster ride as of late with plenty of ups and downs. After a devastating 43-24 loss to league-leading Rockland last Monday afternoon, the Dragon grapplers were eager to prove that they can still compete with the area’s elite teams.

They did just that when they traveled to Bridgewater-Raynham Regional High School on Saturday to take on a formidable Somerset squad and Old Colony champion, Bridgewater-Raynham.

The 103-lb. weight class featured a pair of returning starters in Duxbury’s Tim Donoghue and Somerset’s Dylan McKenna. Donoghue, who placed in the Sectionals last year as a freshman, led 5-0 after the first period, and pinned McKenna with less than a minute remaining in the second period.

NOSE JOB: Duxbury’s Tyler Genereux applies a cross face to his opponent in a Patriot league match against Scituate.

  In the 112-lb. match-up, Duxbury’s Colin Connolly, who was brought up from the JV squad due to an injury, had the misfortune of facing Somerset’s Marcus Mello, who placed in the States last year. Mello pinned the inexperienced Connolly with 1:06 remaining in the first period.

With the score tied at 6-6, Duxbury sent one of its top wrestlers to the mat in the 119-lb. weight class.  Justin Carroll appeared to be in complete control of the match over Somerset’s Shea Hughes when he registered a near fall in the first period.  However, Hughes earned a two-point reversal and three back points to tie the score at 5-5 before Carroll took him down to open the third, earning a 12-7 decision.

With Duxbury leading 9-6, Zach Sanchez, who has been a nice addition to the varsity at 125, extended the lead to 12-6 with a workman-like performance over Somerset’s Steve Therrien with a 7-2 decision.{sidebar id=4}

Duxbury would welcome that lead going into the 130-lb. weight class, as Somerset sent one of its top wrestlers against Duxbury’s Robert Kates. After a scoreless first period, Eric Francis dominated the second period while mounting an 8-0 lead, and an eventual 10-1 major decision.

The four points narrowed the gap to 12-10, but Somerset had more ammunition in its arsenal when it sent another Mello brother (Isaac) to the mat against Duxbury senior captain Stefan Seman in the 135-lb. match-up. Seman did everything he could to stay off his back, but the talented Mello still was able to record a first-period pin, and pick up six points for the Raiders, who took the lead for the first time.

The Somerset lead was short-lived, as Duxbury’s Colin McKenzie (140) registered an impressive 12-2 win over Somerset’s Matt Taber, giving the Dragons a major decision and a 14-12 advantage.

Next up for Duxbury was senior captain Aaron Haight in the 145-lb. weight class against Somerset’s Tyrell Bliss.  After a scoreless first period, Haight chose neutral and got the first takedown for a 2-0 lead en route to a 6-1 victory.{sidebar id=1}

With the score 19-14, Duxbury got a scare in the 152-lb. match-up between Johnny Barrett and Somerset’s Kris Thwaite. The Blue Raider got the Dragon grappler in a headlock early in the first period, giving himself a 5-0 advantage. Despite the huge deficit, Barrett battled back to tie the score in a second period that featured three lead changes. Fortunately for Duxbury, Barrett outlasted the Raider wrestler in the third period, earning him a hard-fought 14-9 decision.

The drama would continue in the 160-lb. weight class with Duxbury’s John McGeady going to the mat against Somerset’s Jon Faria. With McGeady seemingly in control of the match with a 9-1 lead going into the third period, Faria put McGeady on his back twice, and tied the match up 9-9 at the end of regulation. Surviving two near falls, McGeady earned the first takedown in OT, and an exciting 11-9 win.

Duxbury’s Tyler Genereux dashed any hopes of a Somerset comeback when he took the mat in the 171-lb. weight class against the Raider’s James Finglias. Genereux mounted a 13-3 lead before pinning Finglias halfway through the third period.

In the 189-lb. weight class, Duxbury’s Kyle Gavoni garnered another six points for Duxbury when he pinned Somerset’s Kevin Haworth early in the second period after wracking up a 9-0 advantage.

As it turns out, Duxbury would need the back-to-back pins, as Somerset would return the favor in the 215 lb. match-up between Duxbury’s Jake Pierce and Raider grappler Adam Pan. Pan quickly pinned the inexperienced Dragon wrestler after a first period takedown.

With the score 37-20, Duxbury was forced to give up another six points when Somerset sent heavyweight Mark Ostroski to the mat, and he went unopposed, closing the gap to 37-26 in favor of Duxbury.

HOUDINI: Duxbury’s Kyle Gavoni attempts to escape the grasp of his opponent during a non-league match with Franklin.

The Dragon wrestlers did not free as well against a well-balanced Bridgewater- Raynham team that boasts a 50-man roster, including three of the state’s best in Matt Libby (103), Brett Wyman (215), and Rich Wapenyi (285).

Recording their second victories of the day for Duxbury were Carroll (119), Barrett (152), Genereux (171), and Gavoni (189). 

The Dragons will host the Duxbury Team Tournament this Saturday morning beginning at 9.