FRANKLIN — Brantley County’s grappling Herons tied for seventh here during the twoday, 16-team Class A Dual wrestling championship hosted by Heard County.
BCHS went 2-2 beating Mt. Pisgah Christian School 46-35 in the first round Friday, January 16 and ousting Irwin County 5327 in a loser’s bracket pairing Saturday, January 17. The Herons fell 41-38 to eventual fourth-place finisher Gordon Lee Friday and fifth-place finisher Bremen 52-16 in Saturday’s second match.
Social Circle captured its fourth consecutive Class A Duals title and eighth since 2015. Elbert County finished in the runner- up position followed by Commerce, Gordon Lee, Bremen and Toombs County. BCHS tied with Trion for seventh.
The wrestling program will recognize members of the 2026 class today (Wednesday, January 21) at 5 p.m., in a match with Pierce County.
Herons ............................46
Mt. Pisgah Christian ........35 Brantley County opened tournament action winning eight of 14 matches with five pins, two forfeits and a major decision.
Posting pin wins were Ryland Benton (120 lbs.; 36 seconds), Caden Benton (144; 1:10), J.T. Johns (150; 1:30), Ethan Eunice (190; 39 sec.) and Ty Hughes (285; 2:37). Sawyer Grimsley (132) notched a 9-0 major decision. Stephen Roberson (126) and Payton Perez (165) picked up forfeit victories.
Losing via pin were Dante Holbrook (113; 1:50), Dylan Smith (138; 1:01), Ethan Hartley (157; 1:55), Wiley Ray (175; 41 sec.) and Aubrey Carter (215; 1:03). Keller Stringer (106) was beaten by a 194 technical fall.
Quarterfinals Gordon Lee......................41 Herons ............................38 Gordon Lee used six pins and a technical fall to escape the Herons.
BCHS notched two pin wins by Rylan Benton (120; 57 sec.) and Sawyer Grimsley (132; 1:43). Kelly Stringer (106) recorded a 21-6 technical fall with J.T. Johns posting a 6-0 decision. Ethan Hartley (157), Payton Perez (165) and Ty Hughes (215) were awarded forfeits.
Suffering pin loses were Dante Holbrook (113; 1:05), Caden Benton (139; 5:39), Falcon Machado (144; 4:37), Wiley Ray (175; 3:27), Ethan Eunice (190; 38 sec.) and Aubrey Carter (285; 45 sec.). Steven Roberson (126) lost a 15-0 technical fall.
Loser’s bracket Herons ............................53 Irwin County ...................27 The Herons overwhelmed Irwin County with seven pins and a technical fall to go along with a forfeit.
Picking up victories via pin were Kelly Stringer (106; 42 sec.), Steven Roberson (126; 1:24), Sawyer Grimsley (132; 1:53), Caden Benton (138; 1:07), Falcon Machado (144; 1:51), Ethan Eunice (190; 1:03) and Steven Cook (285; 1:50). Payton Perez (165) posted a 15-0 technical fall with J.T. Johns winning by forfeit.
Losing by pin were Joshua Mardany (120; 1:00), Wiley Ray (175; 1:35) and Ty Hughes (215; 4:50). Dante Holbrook (113) was beaten 17-1 in a technical fall with Eathan Hartley (157) suffering a 19-6 major decision loss.
Loser’s bracket Quarterfinals Bremen ...........................52 Herons.............................16 Bremen dominated the matchup with BCHS winning 10 of the 14 matches.
The Herons captured two decisions with Kellyer Stringer (106; 6-0) and Payton Perez (165; 5-0) notching decisions. Sawyer Grimsley (132) posted a 20-10 major decision with Ethan Eunice (190) winning via forfeit.
Dropping pinfalls were Joshua Mardany (120; 3:14), Falcon Machado (144; 46 sec.), J.T. Johns (150; 50 sec.), Ethan Hartley (157; 51 sec.) and Aubrey Carter (285; 18 sec.). Donte Holbrooke (113; 21-5) and Wiley Ray (175; 18-3) suffered losses by technical fall.
Steven Roberson (126) lost a 26-23 decision with Ty Hughes (215) falling 11-5. Caden Benton fell by medical forfeit.
