Having made it through the gauntlet of one of the most competitive wrestling areas in the state, Coahulla Creek and Ringgold are well equipped for what they will see in this weekend’s GHSA Class AA state duals at Columbus High School.
Coahulla Creek edged the Tigers for the Area 7-AA duals championship last week in an epic 41-37 title match that featured 10 pins, three technical falls and three unsportsmanlike penalties assessed. Both coaches involved know it will take much more to unseat title favorite Rockmart in Columbus, but neither is willing to concede anything entering the 16-team event.
“Rockmart is the returning state champs and have won it the past three years, so they are the favorites,” said Coahulla Creek coach Seth Broome, whose team faces Rutland in the first round Friday. “But (2023 Class AAA state duals champion) Columbus is not far behind, and Cook County, Union County, Lovett, Sonoraville … they are all tough.
“Our area, though, has prepared us for this. All five of the teams in our area could be competitive in the state duals, and Ringgold, which is loaded in the middle weights, is going to make some noise this weekend. We think we can, too.”
Coahulla Creek returned to state duals last year after a five-year absence and has just one senior, 152-pound Roger Bickford. The Colts’ strength lies in the highest weight classes, where Branson Lowery (190), Chevy Joyce (215) and Jackson Lowery (285) regularly get bonus points.