FRANKLIN, Tenn. — It had been more than 17 years since somebody wearing red and blue with an interest in wrestling had much to crow about in Bradley County.
It had been that long since Cleveland High School had one-upped the Bradley Central Bears.
But Saturday at the Williamson County Agricultural Expo, the Blue Raiders put on a show of dogged determination to win the Division I state championship. The Ag Expo also has bull-riding and steer-wrestling championships, but it is highly unlikely the dirt-floor venue has ever seen such a blood-and-guts battle as that put on by Chattanooga-area wrestling powers Cleveland, Bradley and Soddy-Daisy.
“It was like three heavyweights in the same ring at the same time slugging it out,” Cleveland coach Eric Phillips said. “I’d look up and we’d be behind and we’d wrestle our tails off. I’d look up again and we’d still be behind. I’ve got two words for three teams: ‘Great job!'”
Cleveland was the decided underdog. The Blue Raiders got left at home for the state duals after losing to Bradley in the regular season and again in the region semifinals. And they had found no luck against Soddy-Daisy, losing to the Trojans four times.