Area 6-AAAA is recognized as one of the most talented and deepest high school wrestling leagues in Georgia. It's an area that reasonably could take home more than half of this weekend's individual championships at the Class AAAA state traditional tournament in Macon.
And in any previous year, Gilmer would be a heavy favorite to win yet another team title. However, the best chance the Bobcats have of winning their seventh championship in an eight-year span is for their region rivals to also have a great weekend.
That's because the state's most celebrated program, Area 8-AAAA's Jefferson, is in its first year in the classification and is considered a heavy favorite to take home its seventh consecutive traditional team title. The Dragons are taking 12 wrestlers to Macon, including five sectional champions who are in line to rack up serious team points.
Unless, that is, Area 6-AAAA wrestlers knock the Dragons off on their way to individual titles.
"How can you count Gilmer out?" Ridgeland coach Keith Mariakis said. "I think it will come down to those two teams. I know there will be some really good matchups in the semis, where we match up with Jefferson kids and Gilmer matches up with them. Those will be key for the team race."
For example, Ridgeland 220-pounder Chris Henderson would likely have to defeat Jefferson's Nick Holman in the finals to repeat as state champion. Ridgeland's Jacob Mariakis (138) would likely have to go through Jefferson's Cole Potts in the semifinals to win the title.
There's more. The top competition for Heritage star Chuckie Thurman (126), a two-time state champion, is Jefferson's Ian Statia. The two are seeded to meet in the finals. Heritage's Daniel Jernagin (132) could meet Jefferson's Dawson Bates in the semifinals, as could LaFayette's Tyler Beard and Jefferson's Mason Corbett at 160.
Gilmer coach Sam Snider is well aware his team will need some help, and he's counting on it.
"It's very possible (to win it), because we have so many state champions or runners-up from our region," said Snider, whose team lost to the Dragons in the state duals final last month. "I've been impressed with Jefferson's surge since the duals. They've actually gotten better over the past month in some areas that I didn't think they would be as good in."
Of course, the Bobcats have their own firepower. Among the team's 11 state qualifiers are three sectional champions, including defending state champions Matthew Waddell (182) and Levi Seabolt (285). Earning maximum points in those brackets and winning consolation matches are the keys to another title run, says Snider.
"When I do the math on it, I see us getting hopefully five in the finals and maybe six," Snider said. "Getting people to the finals to third place will be the key. They can get five or six in the finals also, so I'm counting on Chuckie Thurman, Jacob Mariakis, Chris Henderson and all the others to come through."
Competition for the GHSA's largest four classifications begins today at the Macon Coliseum, with the smallest three classes starting Friday. Medal matches for all classes are Saturday, with the finals at 3 p.m.
Among northwest Georgia's other individual title contenders are defending state champions Tyler Hunt (120) and Trevor Burdick (126) and sectional champions Gavin Thompson (113) and Ian Clark (132) of Sonoraville in Class AAA. Also in AAA, Ringgold's Griffin Green will go for his second consecutive title at 145, with teammate Jeffrey Skeen (106) also a top seed, as is Calhoun's Brice Craig (195).
In Class AA, Chattooga's Griffin Jarrett is the favorite at 106, while in Class A, Trion's Cole Luallen (138), Jake Wells (182) and Logan Blevins (195), along with Gordon Lee's Braden Jarvis (170), are expected to compete for titles.
Contact Lindsey Young at lyoung@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6296. Follow him on Twitter @youngsports22.