Young HHS wrestlers struggle with Murphysboro

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Murphysboro High School's wrestling program is respected in all southern Illinois circles. Thursday night in Harrisburg High School's Bonnell Gymnasium, an experienced Red Devils squad ran circles around Greg Langley's young Bulldogs.

Murphy rolled up a 69-6 victory against HHS (2-2), which didn't surprise Langley, given his team's inexperienced roster.

"We are a young group that continues to learn as we go," Langley said. "Murphysboro is a veteran team with some really good individuals."

Harrisburg simply couldn't get anything going against Murphy, trailing 24-0 before getting its only win of the night in the 152-pound bout, where substitute Josh Stanley stepped in and pinned Chris Scholz midway through the second period.

Heavyweight Johnnie Donaldson had a chance at a win, but took a tough 9-8 decision against Brad Sauer.

Al Way's junior varsity (2-0) picked up a 54-24 win in the preliminary. Blake Bethune (119 pounds), Colton Thetford (125), Garrett Alvey (145), Logan Rheaume (160) and Zach Cletcher (171) all won by pins.

Phillip York (112 pounds) won by forfeit, as did Justin Waide (152) Robert Neal (215) and heavyweight Jacob Byrd.

Langley's varsity will compete in Saturday's Benton Six tournament, while the freshman-sophomore members will go to the Herrin F/S Invitational.

"We'll continues to push forward and things will eventually look up for us," Langley said. "We have a good nucleus of kids who want to succeed."

VARSITY RESULTS Murphysboro 69, Harrisburg 6 (Listed by bout, Harrisburg wrestler first)

130 - Harrisburg forfeited to Rodriguez

135 - Sumner was pinned by Landewee, 1:13

140 - Reeder was pinned by Miller, 1:26

145 - Lovellette was pinned by Tyrone, :42

152 - JStanley pinned Scholz, 3:03

160 - Zaranti was pinned by Aldroubi, 2:21

171 - Ferrell was pinned by Baker, 1:13

189 - Gibbs was pinned by BriSauer, 2:54

215 - Peterson was pinned by Gotlieb, 2:54

Heavy - Donaldson was decisioned by BraSauer, 9-8

103 - Wright was pinned by CaBrashear, 4:40

112 - No bout

119 - J.P. Hutchison was pinned by CoBrasher, 4:25

125 - Hayes was pinned by Greer, 3:19

JUNIOR VARSITY RESULTS Harrisburg 54, Murphysboro 24

(Listed by bout, Harrisburg wrestler first)

130 - KStanley was pinned by Stanton, :48

135 - No bout

140 - Castros was pinned by Collins, 2:22

145 - Alvey pinned Rupcikevicius, 2:30

152 - Waide won by forfeit

160 - Rheaume pinned Watson, 1:48

171 - Cletcher pinned Butler, :12

189 - Drue was pinned by Rogers, :43

215 - Neal won by forfeit

Heavy - Byrd won by forfeit

103 - Humm was pinned by James, :28

112 - York won by forfeit

119 - Bethune pinned Legere, :25

125 - Thetford pinned Ford, :48