Gordon Lee optimistic about state duals

CHICKAMAUGA, Ga. -- Experience has shown Steve McDaniel that once the mats are rolled out and the competition begins, there are few guarantees in high school wrestling.

Though McDaniel's Gordon Lee Trojans have accomplished much in the program's brief history, disappointment usually is the rule for his team in the GHSA State Dual Championships. But they have a quiet confidence with another title shot beginning today in Macon.

"With our history, we have to overcome that fear that we cannot succeed," said McDaniel, whose team entered last year's duals as the Class A favorite only to lose in the second round to area rival Bowdon. "For whatever reason we haven't wrestled our best in Macon, but we have to keep plugging away until everything does break right for us."

That may come this weekend. Though the 29-4 Trojans lost to defending state champion Bremen in the area finals last weekend, the loss may actually have given them more confidence. Gordon Lee lost three individual matches by one point each and forfeited the final bout in a 33-21 loss.

McDaniel admitted some roster maneuvering he did not use may come into play if the teams meet in the state finals Saturday night.

"There were some adjustments we could have made, and the fact we got so close has us cautiously optimistic," said McDaniel, whose team opens against Holy Innocents' today at 1:45 and would, with a win, likely face Commerce in the 7 p.m. semifinals. "I don't think there is any question Bremen will be in the finals, and if we can beat a good team in Commerce, I think we have a decent shot."

His Trojans have a strong core of veterans. Taylor Pace (140 pounds), Brett Bradford (145), Austin Goodlet (160), Caleb Guthrie (215) and heavyweight David Berry have helped the team go 12-3 against teams in this weekend's field.

Gordon Lee is one of five northwest Georgia teams in action today. In Class AAA, LaFayette will be out to defend its duals title after rolling through the area field. The Ramblers, according to community coach Lee Dendy, are peaking at the right time.

"It's going to be a challenge, but they're not going down there to be second," said Dendy, whose team opens against Troup County at noon.

The AAA field is especially strong in the bracket opposite LaFayette's, where 2009 duals runner-up and traditional champion Eastside resides. The Eagles face Ringgold's Heritage High this morning at 10:45. The same two matched up in this round a year ago, with Eastside pulling out a narrow win.

In Class AA, Area 7-AA champion Sonoraville begins competition at 1:45 today against Banks County. Defending champion Jefferson is the heavy pre-tournament favorite, but Phoenix coach Eric Elrod believes his 29-4 team can challenge for the title.

"We can push Jefferson, but the bigger thing is we can also be pushed by Henry, Dublin and Dade County," Elrod said. "When I say being pushed, I don't mean to say we're better than them. We always believe we're the best team in the room, no matter where we're at. There's a lot of parity in the top five teams in Class AA. It will be interesting."

Dade, the 7-AA runner-up, opens with Dublin at noon.