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Holy Cross's 41-29 win over Jesuit may be misleading re chances in Bossier City

February 6th, 2018 | Written by: Editor


41	29

Holy Cross defeated Jesuit 41-29 on January 24th. No one can take the victory from the Tigers, who won eight of the 14 matches, including five pins and two major decisions. They had the stronger team on the mat that night, but that took some adjustiments.

The Tigers were without Spencer Reyes, who was sidelined for over a month due to concussion protocols, from December 30th (after the Prep Slam) to February 3rd (Catholic League Championship). That forced the Tigers to rearrange their line-up in the heavier weights. Logan Heffner dropped to 182 lbs. from the 195 lbs. in which he competed up to the Prep Slam. Ryan Doody also moved down, from 220 lbs. to 195 lbs. This left a gap at 220 lbs. for the Tigers, but it was been filled very nicely by eighth-grader Cole Baiamonte, who has posted a 22-9 record over the season, and is 11-8 as a varsity starter. Brady Maillet remained at 285 lbs. for the Tigers.

On the Jesuit side injuries made themselves known during the match. Luke Eccles, at 132 lbs., scored an 11-3 major decision over Logan LaCoste in the Louisiana Classic. In the dual meet at 132 lbs., LaCoste pinned Patrick McConnell in the second period. Eccles may have provided the Blue Jays with an eight-to-12-point swing had he participated. (The good news on Eccles is that after his unfortunate accident at the Louisiana Classic and his resulting hospital stay, he looked fit and said he would be ready for the state championships.) At 138 lbs. Adam Larriviere, who has not been on the mat since January 19th, may also be ready come the trip to Bossier City. In the dual meet the Tiger's Mason Montalbano scored a 9-0 major decision over Jack Ehrhardt. In the Louisiana Classic Larriviere defeated Macaluso by an 8-0 major decision. That could have been an 8-point swing for Jesuit.

Holy Cross had some potential point swings as well. Had Reyes participated at 170 lbs., the Tigers probably still would have won at that weight class (and perhaps scored six points rather than three). Reyes probably would have competed at 182 lbs., as at 170 lbs. the Tigers' Caden Mumme had already defeated Jesuit's Darren Ferrier. Had Jesuit's Thomas Arseneaux competed at 182 lbs., the outcome would be akin to a coin toss against Reyes, as they have not met this season. But Arseneaux went 195 lbs., at which he pinned Ryan Doody, who regularly competes at 220 lbs. Based on results versus common opponents, Arseneaux probably would have scored a fall had Hayden Brodnax wrestled at 195 lbs. for the Tigers. That would have allowed Doody to compete at 220 lbs., and his record indicates a pin over Kieff would be likely. That would be a nine-point swing for the Tigers.

With the hypothetical point swings cited above, Holy Cross would have still won the match 41-36, but only a three-point difference for Jesuit - a pin rather than a regular decision - would have meant a one-point win for the Blue Jays.

The Tigers are a solid bet to place second at the state championships, in the event of a Brother Martin meltdown, but never, never, count the Blue Jays out come a state championship tournament.

Simple match notes include that it took a last-second escape for Eli Larriviere to eke by Brady Butler 5-4. The Blue Jays' James Hotard, wrestling 12 pounds over his regular weight class of 170 lbs., scored the first takedown on Logan Heffner. However, as "game" as he was, Hotard then tried a move that required the 12 pounds to work, which led to his fall by Heffner.

It may not mean a thing, but at the Catholic League Championships the Tigers wrestled Mumme at 160 lbs., Reyes at 170 lbs., Anthony Sciambre at 182 lbs., Hefner at 195 lbs. and Baiamonte, rather than Doody, at 220 lbs. The Blue Jays put Evan Queyrouze at 145 lbs. (probably giving Eli Larriviere a rest), Hotard back at 170 lbs., Arseneaux back at 182 lbs., Jack Grady at 195 lbs., Perry Ganci back at 220 lbs. and Cyril Melville at 285 lbs.

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