Events Calendar
In This Section
Similarities aside, both want title
Girls state soccer scouting report
Royals and Chipps in battle royale
Bulldogs snap up fourth state title
Golden Eagles take off quickly against Grizzlies
Disastrous 4th quarter knocks out Panthers
Stow Bulldogs reach final four in volleyball
Most Read Stories
Suitcase causes bomb scare at Akron bus terminal
Chapel Hill isn't rolling right along
Akron City Council OKs higher speed on I-77
New eateries expand menu of options
Motorcyclist killed, wife injured in Stark County crash
Man says he was punched, robbed by 3 people in parking lot
Patrick McManamon: Here's what the Browns should try the rest of the season
Family found dead in Ohio home
Blogs:
Pets:
It Takes All Kinds
The Heldenfiles:
Tuesday Notebook
Patrick McManamon:
An interesting thought from a reader
Akron Zips:
Akron vs. Mount Union — Liveblog
Tribe Matters:
Indians announce spring dates
Cleveland Browns:
Mangini doesn't name a quarterback
Kent State Sports:
Flashes interested in another Cincinnati player
Cleveland Cavaliers:
Cavs: Yeah, on That Issue of Privacy
Buckeye Blogging:
Buckeyes Roll 100-60 / Season Outlook
Varsity Letters:
Report: Walsh baseball player commits
All Da King's Men:
More On The Fort Hood Jihadist
Blog of Mass Destruction:
Simply Incapable of Telling The Truth
Akron Law Café:
Health Care Financing Reform: (63) Commonwealth Fund Report on Primary Care
See Jane Style:
Muffle Your Muffler
Car Chase:
Clock Tender- Extending the Life of Collector Car Clocks
Let's Talk Real Estate:
Rumors: Akron Starbucks Closing
Ohio Travels with Betty:
Jack is looking for a trip to Southern Ohio the week of November 16.
Sound Check:
Aeromsith looking for new singer as Steven Tyler contemplates solo career
HRLite House:
Personal Rant – Why People Do Not Live in Northeast Ohio
Akron Gamer:
Video: 'Modern Warfare 2' hits the streets
Final-match win puts Highland in second in league standings
By Nate Ulrich
Beacon Journal sportswriter
Published on Friday, Jan 25, 2008
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.''
Nate Ulrich can be reached at nateulrich2007@yahoo.com. Read the high school blog at http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/varsity_letters/.
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.
Get the full article here.
Comments
Click here to post your comments
