Red Devils, Blue Streaks On A Collision Course

James Bland has won just about every individual award one can win on the mat, but the Avon Park senior still feels there's some unfinished business this season.

"I know in my heart that I should've won the state tile last year," Bland said. "I think that's why I'm more dedicated this season and want to get back to state and have one last chance to take the gold."

At last year's state finals, Bland, whose Red Devils travel to face Sebring in a dual meet at 7 p.m. on Thursday, looked to be on his way to his first-ever state championship.

But in his semifinal match against Jacksonville Bolles' Luke McGurrin a potential match-winning move was taken away from Bland and the momentum shifted almost immediately to McGurrin, who won the match 9-4 over the previously undefeated AP wrestler.

"The referee made a safety call that took away a four-point move from James and that was the turning point in the match," AP head coach Ed Brown said. "The momentum shifted and McGurrin put a move on James that won him the match."

McGurrin would go on to defeat Hudson's Tony Germano for the 160-pound state title, but Brown wonders what could've been.

"James had injured his knee earlier in the day and McGurrin's speed kind of surprised James a little," Brown said. "I think if James had the talent last year to win the state title and I think if he were to face McGurrin right now, he'd beat him.

"You have to remember that the kid that McGurrin beat 2-1 for the state title was the same kid that James pinned just a week before the state meet. That should tell you something about James' skills."

His only loss of last year has motivated the AP senior to do even better this season and strive for the elusive perfect season.

Bland is well on his way, as he holds a 27-0 record this season against some top-flight competition, including wins over wrestlers from Haines City, McKeel and Vanguard.

"I'm working a lot harder this year to make sure I don't repeat what happened against McGurrin," Bland said. "I'm a lot more aggressive than I was last year and in a lot better shape."

Brown has been working with Bland to hopefully increase his skill set and give him more moves to choose from.

"James and I have discussed his style and adding more moves so he can be a more versatile wrestler," said Brown. "I feel that the more moves you have, the more weapons you'll have at the crucial time to fend off an attack.

"I think that if James continues on his current course, he'll be there competing for that state championship."

Bland is just one of the Avon Park wrestlers that have turned winning into a common occurrence.

At last weekend's Martin County Invitational, Kermosi Hatten (171), Omar Torres (189), Isuel Guzman (215), Jace Grimmett (Hwy) and John Chittum (125), along with Bland took first place in their weight classes to help the Red Devils win the 11-team dual wrestling meet.

"That was some exciting wrestling at the Martin County Invitational," said Brown. "Two matches came down to one wrestler and we were able to come out on top in both."

Freshman Jeff Satine, who's been impressive in his debut season on the mat, pinned the Okeechobee wrestler in the first period to help Avon Park take the win against the Brahmans.

Chittum battled a more physically superior grappler from Fort Pierce Central and used a double leg move to gain the advantage and later pinned the wrestler for another win.

"In both of those matches, it came down to either a victory or a loss on the last wrestler," Brown said. "I really felt a sense that the team was really coming together at the Invitational. I think they grasped the team concept that even though this is an individual sport, every match is critical to the team outcome."

Avon Park will get on the mat once again with archrival Sebring in a dual meet at the Blue Streak gym in a tune-up for both teams before the Spiegel Memorial Tournament on Saturday.

Brown has studied the Sebring squad a lot this season and understands where they're strengths and weaknesses lie.

"We don't match up well against Sebring," said Brown. "They have their best wrestlers in the lower weights, while our best in the higher weights.

"Who wins this meet will be decided by the heads-up matches and not the forfeits. The biggest match will probably be John Chittum against Dustin Drummond. Dustin has more experience being a senior and John lost all three matches to him last year. So it'll be an interesting match."

Chittum injured his ankle and lost his match against Drummond in last year's Spiegel.

The Red Devils have remained totally focused all year going into every meet and tournament and the same determination will follow when they wrestle in the Spiegel on Saturday.

Hubbard fell short of a gold medal at last year's Spiegel and won't settle for anything less than first place this year.

"I'm feeling very confidant right now and I'm hoping I can continue to wrestle at a high level and earn a win in front of the home fans," Hubbard said. "I just want to keep getting better and hopefully be peaking at the right time."

Even though the Spiegel tournament is an individual meet, Brown still wants his wrestlers to think of the team first.

"We can still walk away with a team title at the Spiegel an that is something I want the kids to strive for," said Brown. "I want them to wrestle hard and hopefully we can keep things going.

"We're on a roll here."