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Joly -- an assistant coach for the Bluffton High School wrestling team -- had been studying Cane Bay's lineup all week. He clearly realized how evenly-matched the Bobcats and Cobras were.
So when he saw moments before the match began that his son, Levi Joly, would be wrestling in the final weight class of the night, he pulled Levi over to share what he foresaw.
"He was right," an emotional Levi Joly said afterward.
Joly took the mat against Cane Bay's Paul McKeever with his Bobcats trailing by a point. Bluffton had rallied back from a 24-13 deficit thanks to victories in three consecutive matches, and a decision in the 120-pound weight class would seal a win and a Region 7-AAA title.
But Joly didn't just earn a decision. He took down McKeever on four different occasions to earn an 8-0 major decision, sending the Bobcats into jubilation and a roller-coaster 27-24 victory.
"Anytime I know Levi Joly is the last wrestler we have left to get us a win, I'll tell you what, we could have headed to the locker room right there," coach John Hollman said as players and fans high-fived behind him. "The celebration started early."
Hollman made sure to share that thought with Joly as he bear-hugged him in mid-air immediately following the win. He pulled Joly close to his chest, wrapped his hands around his head and said, "I can't think of anybody I'd want in there more."
"It's an overwhelming sensation, knowing that he has that much confidence in you to put you out there for the region title," Joly said as tears streamed down his cheeks.
Joly said he "had his doubts" about getting a chance to deliver the region crown, as Cane Bay strung together five straight wins in the heavier weight classes. But once LeDarius Hughes (285), Nick Stead (106), and Lloyd Williams (113) earned decisions to pull within a point, he started to believe.
"He puts in more time than anybody else on this team," Hollman said. "When you've got somebody like that ... you've got no worries as a coach."
Levi's father had no worries, either. And now he and the rest of the Bobcats will get a chance to win another title, starting next Wednesday with a first-round playoff dual at Bluffton.
So what are the new team goals for the Bobcats now that they have a region crown in their back pocket?
"State," Nick Joly said.
Bluffton 27, Cane Bay 24
NOTE: Match started at 126
106: Nick Stead (Bluffton) dec. Albert Ednilao, 13-11
113: Lloyd Williams (Bluffton) dec. Austin Huntington, 6-2
120: Levi Joly (Bluffton) maj. dec. Paul McKeever, 8-0
126: Evans Beach (Bluffton) dec. Trent Brookshire, 4-2 (OT)
132: Austin Farmer (Bluffton) maj. dec. Eddie Brookshire, 11-1
138: Tillman Reeves (CB) tech. fall Alex Waddell, 15-0
145: Mike Meyerink (Bluffton) dec. Jesse Goodyear, 9-4
152: Harry Chirinos (Bluffton) dec. Michael Green, 7-4
160: Dylan Pope (CB) dec. Johnny Kauter, 7-6 (OT)
170: Ryan Stovall (CB) maj. dec. Alex Ruppert, 11-2
182: Matt Rudy (CB) pinned Kyle Waddell, 1st period
195: Hunter Henderson (CB) dec. Corey Stoner, 12-10
220: Chris David (CB) maj. dec. Isai Hernandez, 16-7
285: LeDarius Hughes (Bluffton) maj. dec. Blake Paez, 14-5
