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The Seahawks held the edge in the lighter weights. The Eagles had the better of the heavier classes.
They knew the outcome would be decided in the middle.
"Coach came up to me and said I had to step in and turn the tide," said Beaufort High's Forrest Kimbrell, who wrestled at 145. "I knew what I had to do."
Kimbrell delivered a late takedown in the third period to snatch a decision from Hilton Head High's Chris Ordonez and help swing the momentum in Beaufort High's favor. The Eagles rolled the rest of the way, defeating their Beaufort County rivals 42-31 in the first dual of the season for both squads.
The match began at 106 pounds. And Beaufort High trailed 28-3 before Kimbrell's victory.
"We knew we'd take our lumps early," said Beaufort High coach Bill DaMude, who is starting his 24th season in the role. "I was glad we started at 106 instead of 152. That way, we knew we were building into our momentum."
Kimbrell's victory was followed by four consecutive Eagles' pins to give Beaufort High the lead. The Seahawks regained momentum with a hard-fought decision from Nick Bautista at 195 but forfeited 220. Maliek Maldonado, Beaufort High's returning state champion, closed the victory with a pin.
Coaches from both sides pointed to the bout at 145 as the difference. Kimbrell, a junior wrestling his second varsity season, said he excels on top but that Ordonez wouldn't allow him there the first two periods.
When he sensed Ordonez was winded during the third period, he went for the deciding shot, with under 30 seconds remaining.
"It's the first time we beat Hilton Head in a while," Kimbrell said. "It's an important match."
First-year Hilton Head High coach Keith Massey, who coached at Whale Branch last season, said the Seahawks slipped in the matches following 145.
"Those were the matches where we had to last the whole time," Massey said. "We had to go out and work as hard as we could the whole time."
Beaufort High started strong when Jake Sharp, wrestling his first varsity bout, earned a decision over Tyler Fick. But the Seahawks responded with four consecutive pins and a major decision.
The match momentum swung about how coaches expected. Massey said Mike Newton, who stepped aside as Hilton Head High head coach after last season, helped educate Massey about their opponents' strengths and weaknesses.
"He knows these guys in and out," said Massey, a who coached in Iowa prior to arriving in Beaufort County. "He's like 'If this happens, we'll win. If this doesn't happen, we'll probably lose.' They brought their 'A' game."
Beaufort High 42, Hilton Head High 31
Note: Match started at 106
106: Jake Sharp (B) dec. Tyler Fick, 12-9
113: David Waddell (HHH) pinned Desmon Mullen, first period
120: Nick Tennison (HHH) pinned Preston Bradley, second period
126: Brock Massey (HHH) pinned William Valentin, second period
132: Label Lewis (HHH) pinned David DeRepentigny, first period
138: Matt Johns (HHH) major dec. Derrick Nord, 15-5
145: Forrest Kimbrell (B) dec. Chris Ordonez, 4-2
152: Clayton Wynn (B) pinned Hunter Massey, second period
160: Trey Arant (B) pinned Savion Fuller, second period
170: JaClay Mixon (B) pinned Christian Ellis, first period
182: Thyrik Legree (B) pinned J.C. Graham, third period
195: Nick Bautista (HHH) dec. Clint Wright, 6-2
220: Beaufort High won by forfeit
285: Maliek Maldonado (B) pinned Doug Bell, second period
