BARBERTON: Highland junior Tyler Houska realizes quarterbacks and running backs usually get most of the glory when the outcome of a high school football game comes down to the wire.

Houska was named a first-team all-district linebacker in Division II this past fall, but he wasn't normally dubbed the Hornets' gridiron hero. The wrestling season, however, is different, and for Houska, it has been his time to shine.

After winning a crucial match to help the Hornets come from behind and win the 21st annual Bill Dies Memorial Tournament Saturday at Firestone High School, Houska again came through in the clutch as Highland defeated host Barberton 38-33 on Thursday in a Suburban League dual meet.

The Hornets trailed the Magics by a point heading into the final match. But Houska, who normally competes in the 215-pound weight class, took on Barberton junior heavyweight Lance Coher and pinned him in 4:27.

''I told him yesterday that he was going heavyweight probably no matter what,'' Highland coach Mark Savoia said of Houska. ''He knew what was coming, he knew what he had to do, and he went out and he was confident that he could beat (Coher) and he did it.''

Houska, who missed two practices earlier in the week because of a sore knee, acknowledged his performance under pressure but praised his teammates.

''It's nice to be recognized, but the
rest of our team did everything else to lead up to that point,'' said Houska, whose record is 25-4 this season. ''I can't take all the credit. If we didn't have pins when we did and kids fighting off their backs, we wouldn't be celebrating tonight's victory over Barberton.''

The Hornets (8-1, 6-1) have many reasons to celebrate. With the victory, Highland avenged last season's loss to Barberton (12-2, 5-2) and moved into second place in the Suburban League standings. The Hornets now have a mathematical advantage over the rest of the teams in the league in the quest to dethrone defending champion Wadsworth, which holds the top spot in the league standings and has won at least a share of 15 consecutive league titles.

''It's been a while since we've been in this position,'' Savoia said. ''Last year, we were really looking to get it done, but we had some mistakes. We have to show up (at the Suburban League meet) Feb. 9 and get as many guys on the podium as we can to give us a chance and give Wadsworth a battle.''

Highland got off to a solid start when freshman Dan Mirman (103) defeated Barberton freshman Tyler Damsa by a 15-0 technical fall. The Hornets extended their lead to 11-0 when Barberton forfeited a match in the 112-pound weight class.

But Barberton quickly rallied and took a 15-11 lead by winning the next three matches.

Highland then regained control by winning four of the next five matches, including two victories by pin and another by forfeit (at 152), to take a 32-21 lead. Juniors Logan Gresock (135) and Jon McKee (145) each won by pin to help Highland re-establish an advantage.

But wins by Brandon Nelson (189) and Adam Cogar (215) gave the Magics a 33-32 lead before Houska delivered in the final match.

Barberton coach Dave Mariola said he moved several wrestlers into different weight classes to create better matchups, but the forfeits hurt.

''We just matched up against them badly,'' Mariola said. ''Their 152-pounder had beat our 152-pounder already. Their 112-pounder has beaten our 112-pounder eight times. . . . I was just happy that it was an exciting match coming down to heavyweight.''