Fan's Guide - Georgia 4A
Welcome to our Fan’s Guide for the Georgia 5A StateTournament.
For those of you new to SEWrestle, or for anyone who has never read one of our Fan’s Guides, this is a brief introduction to what you’ll see this coming weekend at the Clayton County Convocation Center. If you already know (or have already read this last week or in another Fan’s Guide) - jump below to see what we think.
The Fan’s Guide is a look at the tournament as a whole—and at each individual weight class—from a fan’s perspective. It is not a prediction of who will win a title or who will stand on the podium. Instead, it highlights key storylines and pieces within each bracket that make the tournament compelling.
Each Fan’s Guide includes the following:
Favorite – The wrestler who enters the tournament as the perceived front-runner, or the athlete who appears to have the best shot at the top step based on past results and accomplishments.
Contenders – Wrestlers who should make a legitimate run at a title. We fully expect to see them on the podium.
Darkhorse – Typically a wrestler who finished 3rd or 4th at the sectional tournament, but has the tools to make a deep run and earn a spot on the podium.
Bracketbuster – A wrestler who finished 5th through 8th at the section tournament. A wrestler that has all of the tools to cause chaos and make a run for the podium.
Isn’t that kind of a prediction?
Yes - and no.
We do identify a favorite, but beyond that, predicting who will navigate the bracket and ultimately claim a championship is foolish. High school wrestling is unpredictable. Few wrestlers—if any—are unbeatable. While we can lean on past results and accomplishments to make educated observations, outcomes are never guaranteed.
At the end of the day, we’re fans just like you.
Our hope is that every athlete goes out, competes to their ability, and gives themselves the best chance to achieve their goals. The sole purpose of our Substack, Facebook, Instagram, Fan’s Guides, photos, and coverage is simple: to promote the sport of wrestling in the Southeast.
Have a great weekend, enjoy the wrestling, and best of luck to everyone competing.
Schedule
Qualifiers
Teams
Woodland (Cartersville) enters the weekend in a commanding position. They bring 13 total qualifiers—and more importantly, 10 of those finished either first or second at sectionals. That’s the kind of structure that wins team titles. High placement at sectionals typically translates to favorable seeds and deeper runs at state, which means advancement and placement points start stacking quickly.
Walnut Grove sits just behind with 12 qualifiers, while Cass and Ware County each bring 11. But Ware County finds itself in a tougher spot. Six of their 11 qualifiers finished 6th, 7th, or 8th at sectionals—traditionally the placement range most likely to result in limited or even zero team points at state. If Ware wants to stay in the race, those six wrestlers must flip the script and win early. Otherwise, the numbers advantage disappears quickly.
Ola brings nine, but six of those are sectional champs or runners-up. That kind of top-end strength gives them a legitimate opportunity to challenge Walnut Grove and Cass for a podium finish. Cambridge and Dalton each bring eight, and several other teams bring seven, keeping the battle for the top five wide open.
In reality, Woodland holds a massive edge on paper—but it only matters if those 13 qualifiers produce. If three or four go 0-2, suddenly it feels like they only brought 9 or 10, and that changes the math in a hurry. The title may be Woodland’s to lose, but the fight for the remaining podium spots—and especially the top five—should be compelling all weekend.
106 lbs.
Favorite: Jannaco Searcy - Jackson (Atlanta)
Contenders:
Jack Dupree - North Oconee
Cayden Bagely - Woodland (Cartersville)
Brandon Lalbehari - Cass
Bahram Naimi - Clarkston
Darkhorse: Jamie Lewis - Harris County
Bracketbuster: Zeke Driggs - Cambridge
Anyone have a dart? Picking a favorite at 106 feels a lot like throwing one—blindfolded. Both sectional champions, Jannaco Searcy of Jackson (Atlanta) and Jack Dupree of North Oconee, are returning state qualifiers. Both are juniors. Both won matches at last year’s state tournament but came up just short of the podium. And both handled their sectional runs with authority—Searcy controlling Cayden Bagely 11–3 in the Section A finals, and Dupree pinning Bahram Naimi in the Section B finals. So… who’s the favorite?
In truth, it may not matter. If both wrestle the way they did last week, they can settle that question themselves on Saturday night. But neither can afford to look ahead, because the danger at 106 is very real—especially on Friday night in the quarterfinals, where the 2-vs-3 matchups often set the tone.
One to circle immediately is Bagely vs. Lalbehari—a classic Woodland vs. Cass matchup that could also have implications in the team race. They didn’t meet last weekend, but Bagely has had the edge in previous meetings, including State Duals and the Region 7 finals. The other projected 2-vs-3 features Naimi vs. Jamie Lewis, another matchup that didn’t happen last week and may not have occurred at all this season—adding even more uncertainty.
Searcy and Dupree have both been here before. They’re seasoned, battle-tested juniors who know how to navigate this environment. Each will be looking to put a stamp on an excellent season. At 106, though, nothing is given—and the margin between the favorite and the field is razor thin.
113 lbs.
Favorite: Bryan Ruiz - SE Whitfield
Contenders:
Nick Weathersbee - Woodland (Cartersville)
Tye Daniel - Ola
Jair Flores - Cartersville
Hunter McCleskey - Jones County
Darkhorse: Kamari - Rivers-Childs - SW DeKalb
Bracketbuster: Jordan Maxwell - Ware County and Nathen Ridley - Dalton
Chaos. Yep—that’s 113 in a word. This is a weight where just about anyone can win, and the results from sectionals only reinforced that idea.
Returning state qualifier Bryan Ruiz of SE Whitfield came out of a No. 3 spot in Region 7 and went on a tear to win Section A. His run included a fall over returning state placer Nathen Ridley (Region 7 runner-up), followed by a tight 7–5 win over returning state placer Nick Weathersbee (fourth in Region 7) in the finals. And don’t overlook what happened earlier—Ruiz also knocked off returning state placer and Region 1 champion Jordan Maxwell in the quarterfinals in a close one 7-6. That’s a brutal path, and he survived all of it.
Over in Section B, Tye Daniel was just as impressive. Daniel ripped off three falls and capped his run with a 5–1 decision over returning state qualifier Hunter McCleskey to win the title.
The bracket intrigue doesn’t stop there. Weathersbee pinned Region 7 champion and returning state qualifier Jair Flores in the semifinals, with Flores battling back to take third. That sets up a possible Weathersbee–Flores rematch in the quarterfinals on Friday night. Daniel also beat returning state placer Kamari Rivers-Childs in the semifinals, and Rivers-Childs came back for third—meaning a potential Rivers-Childs vs. McCleskey quarter could be looming as well. The quarters are going to be outstanding and not just the 2 vs 3 matchups.
Here’s the bottom line: 113 is loaded. Five returning state placers. Five returning state qualifiers. Minimal separation from top to bottom. This is a weight where momentum, confidence, and timing may matter more than what you did last week. Whoever gets hot—and stays hot—has a very real shot at walking away with the title.
120 lbs.
Favorite: Hayden Trimm - Cass
Contenders:
Ashton Akins - Locust Grove
Chase Rust - Harris County
Bryan Diaz - Dalton
Matthew Kohlman - Perry
Darkhorse: Brodie Drake - Madison County
Bracketbuster: Jayden Mateo - Stockbridge
At this point—after writing preview after preview across multiple classes—it feels familiar to say it again, but it’s still true: picking a favorite here is extremely tough. 120 in 4A is another weight where separation is minimal and experience is everywhere.
Returning state runner-up Hayden Trimm of Cass claimed the Section A title, but not without resistance. He cruised early before needing a third-period takedown to edge senior Bryan Diaz of Dalton. Section B played out in similarly grinding fashion. Returning state placer Ashton Akins had to survive a 14–10 quarterfinal against Jase Moore before earning a 9–6 finals win over returning state qualifier Chase Rust.
And then there’s the result that may define this bracket. Returning state champion Matthew Kohlman was leading in the third period last weekend when Diaz got the fall, sending the defending champ to the consolation bracket. That single moment reshaped the draw. Kohlman now stares at one of the toughest possible paths to a second title—potentially needing to beat Diaz (or Jayden Mateo, the returning state runner-up who finished seventh in Section B), then possibly Akins, and maybe Trimm after that. There are no shortcuts here.
The numbers tell the rest of the story: five returning state placers and five additional returning state qualifiers in one bracket. You can circle potential quarterfinals, but the reality is simpler—everyone has to be ready from the opening whistle. There are no gimmes at 120, no safe paths, and no margin for error. This weight is going to be wild.
126 lbs.
Favorite: Colt Mitchell - Central (Carroll)
Contenders:
Adrian Zapata - Woodland (Cartersville)
Nate Davis - Allatoona
Keith Wheeler - Perry
Joseph Bazan - Marist
Darkhorse: Jamarie Donovan - Hampton
Bracketbuster: Justus Fife - Cass
126 feels like two locomotives barreling toward one another. Colt Mitchell, the state runner-up a year ago, was dominant in Section B last weekend. Adrian Zapata, who finished third last season, did the same in Section A. The only other state placer in the field is Keith Wheeler of Perry, who dropped his semifinal to Nate Davis—a matchup he’ll be eager to revisit if they meet again in the quarters on Friday.
If this doesn’t end in a Mitchell vs. Zapata final, it would be a surprise. That’s not to say the road is easy—both have earned their way here—but they’ve wrestled at a different level all season.
Friday night’s quarterfinals are the swing point. We could see the Davis–Wheeler rematch we mentioned, along with Mitchell vs. Barrett and Zapata vs. Simmons. If the bracket holds, the collision course stays intact—but at 126, you still have to earn every step.
132 lbs.
Favorite: Gabe Easey - Ola
Contenders:
Grant Albright - Allatoona
Nathen Hernandez - Dalton
Darryl Wildgoose - Hampton
Ben Tomasello - St Pius X
Darkhorse: Thomas Singleton - Perry
Bracketbuster: Isaiah Edmonds - Kell
Former state champion Gabe Easey enters as the heavy favorite—and frankly, he’s just operating on a different level than the rest of the field. That doesn’t make anything automatic, and there are capable wrestlers ready to take their shot, but Easey has been outstanding all season. It’s also worth noting that six of his losses came at the two toughest tournaments in the Southeast—the Knockout and the Southern Slam—against elite competition. When the lights are brightest, he’s proven he belongs.
Easey left no doubt at Section B, while Grant Albright had to grind for his Section A title. Albright, who finished second out of Region 7, cruised early before gutting out a hard-fought 7–4 sudden-victory win over Hernandez in the finals—a rematch of the Region 7 championship bout.
Beyond the top two, this bracket is packed with experience. Hernandez, Darryl Wildgoose, Thomas Singleton, and Ben Tomasello have all been through postseason wars and should make this a fun weight to follow. Still, when you zoom out, Easey looks a step ahead of everyone else.
Make sure to catch the quarterfinals on Friday—especially if we get Wildgoose vs. Tomasello again after Wildgoose’s 7–4 sudden-victory win in the semifinals last weekend.
138 lbs.
Favorite: Rowdy Duck - Cass
Contenders:
Keegan Dawkins - Walnut Grove
Noah Cates - Woodland (Cartersville)
AJ West - Benedictine
Forest Briesacher - Marist
Darkhorse: Kyle Maddox - North Oconee
Bracketbuster: Colton Roberts - Ola
Another outstanding weight, and one that’s absolutely loaded: four returning state placers and five returning state qualifiers. Picking a favorite isn’t easy, but we lean toward Rowdy Duck of Cass.
Duck has been on the podium multiple times before and is wrestling at a ridiculous level right now. He enters at 27–2 and dominated his Section A run with two technical falls, an injury default, and then a lightning-quick 29-second pin of his Region 7 rival Noah Cates in the finals. Duck and Cates know each other extremely well, and last weekend was another chapter in a long-running matchup.
Out of Section B, returning state placer Keegan Dawkins was just as impressive. Dawkins ripped through the field with three tech falls before closing the tournament with an 8–3 win over returning state placer Forest Briesacher in the finals.
And the depth doesn’t stop there. Along with Cates and Briesacher, returning state placers AJ West and Kyle Maddox add even more firepower. Both finished third at sectionals, setting up the possibility of outstanding middle-quarter matchups on Friday night. Last weekend, Cates edged West 6–4 in the semifinals, while Briesacher handled Maddox 10–0—results both West and Maddox will be eager to avenge.
This weight is deep, dangerous, and packed with proven postseason performers. Expect Duck, Dawkins, Cates, Maddox, West, and Briesacher all to be in the hunt. The biggest question isn’t who belongs—it’s what order they finish in.
144 lbs.
Favorite: Luka Jensen - Cass
Contenders:
Dylan Couey - Woodland (Cartersville)
Noah Pieterick - Jones County
Carson Kimbrough - Ola
Jackson Bailey - Westminster
Darkhorse: Meco Favors - St Pius X
Bracketbuster: Jaden McKelvin - Ware County
Another weight, another real opportunity for chaos. 144 is stacked with four returning state placers and five additional returning state qualifiers, and nothing about the recent results suggests clarity is coming anytime soon. In fact, the most telling detail might be this: neither sectional champion was a region champion two weeks ago.
Out of Section A, Dylan Couey of Woodland rebounded nicely after finishing second to Luka Jensen at Region 7, storming back with a fall to claim the sectional title. Over in Section B, Noah Pieterick did the same—bouncing back from a runner-up finish in Region 2 to edge Region 2 champion Carson Kimbrough 4–3 in the sectional finals. What does all of that add up to? Chaos.
Picking a favorite here feels risky. Could the champion come from outside the top four names we keep circling? It’s possible—but probably unlikely.
There are several key matchups to keep an eye on early. Jensen and returning state placer Jackson Bailey of Westminster didn’t meet last weekend, setting up a potential quarterfinal with the winner likely earning a shot at Pieterick. On the other side, Kimbrough and returning state qualifier Meco Favors also avoided one another at sectionals and could meet in the other 2-vs-3 quarter, with Couey likely waiting on the other side.
Add in names like Andrew Ramirez, Brody Strickland, and Jaden McKelvin, and you’ve got a bracket that’s deep from top to bottom. Still, no matter how many times it gets reshuffled, the conversation keeps circling back to the same four wrestlers.
Don’t be surprised if all this chaos eventually leads us right back to a rematch in the finals.
150 lbs.
Favorite: Jin Davis - Northview
Contenders:
Jonathan Sandberg - Allatoona
Graham Dawkins - Walnut Grove
Benjamin Doomes - Wayne County
John DiCristina - St Pius X
Darkhorse: Aaron Bennet - Ware County
Bracketbuster: Anderson Becker - Ola
Another weight where picking a favorite is anything but straightforward. Davis, Dawkins, and Sandberg are all returning state placers, and each made a statement last weekend. Sandberg was dominant on his way to the Section A title, piling up a fall, a technical fall, and two major decisions. On the other side, Davis and Dawkins both looked sharp early before colliding in the finals, where Davis escaped with a 2–1 win on a third-period reversal.
That result matters. Davis now lands on the opposite half from both Sandberg and Dawkins, and that bracket geography is enough to give him a slight edge as the favorite—though nothing here is guaranteed.
Davis shares the bottom half with Grayson Doomes and Aaron Bennett, who could be headed for a Friday-night quarterfinal rematch with a semifinal spot opposite Davis on the line. Everyone still has to take care of business, but that’s the likely collision if things hold.
Up top, Dawkins could draw returning state qualifier John DiCristina—assuming both advance—another matchup we didn’t see last weekend. Sandberg anchors that half as well, and his sectional run suggests he’s more than capable of taking control.
On paper, Davis, Dawkins, and Sandberg are the names to watch. In reality, as sectionals reminded us across multiple weights, the script doesn’t always hold. This bracket has enough quality and parity that things could change everything.
157 lbs.
Favorite: Nathan Cates - Woodland (Cartersville)
Contenders:
David Jewell - Cass
Samir Ross - Ola
Braiden Thomas - Cedartown
Matthew Adams - Walnut Grove
Darkhorse: Dylan Naish - Centennial
Bracketbuster: Anthony Knott - Dalton
Another weight where Region 7 shines. Don’t be surprised if all four wrestlers from that region find their way onto the podium on Saturday. The group is led by Nathan Cates of Woodland (Cartersville), who was outstanding in a deep Section A. Cates rolled through with three technical falls before closing with a 12–4 win over returning state placer David Jewell in the finals.
Over in Section B, Samir Ross was just as impressive. Ross posted two tech falls and a pin before capping his run with a dominant 19–7 major decision over Matthew Adams to claim the title.
Section A was loaded with tough battles throughout. One to note was returning state qualifier Braiden Thomas edging returning state placer Dylan Naish 3–2 in tiebreakers for third. Don’t be shocked if those two are scrapping again on Saturday with a podium spot on the line.
Another name worth tracking is Joshua Adkins of Woodland (Stockbridge). Adkins finished fourth at Region 2 two weeks ago, dropped his opening-round match at sectionals to Jake Martin, then responded by winning five straight to take third. That kind of resilience is exactly what it takes to survive this bracket in Clayton.
The matchup to circle is a potential semifinal between Ross and Jewell, with the winner likely earning a crack at Cates in the finals. We’re allowed to look ahead—but nobody in this bracket should do the same. With this much depth and momentum spread throughout the field, looking past any match could mean finding yourself on the backside fighting just to make the podium.
165 lbs.
Favorite: Arrie Martin - Jones County
Contenders:
Ethan Harrington - Cass
Christian Papcun - Ola
Skylar Pizzutiello - Woodland (Cartersville)
Easton Boren - Harris County
Darkhorse: Gunter Fore - Ware County
Bracketbuster: Peter Cepeda - Cartersville
A week ago, we didn’t pick returning state placer Ethan Harrington as the favorite—and we were 100% wrong. Harrington blew through the early rounds with a fall and two technical falls before shutting out his “rival” Skylar Pizzutiello 5–0 in the finals. Now we’re right back in the same spot. If Harrington does it again, we’ll be wrong again.
On paper, the favorite this time is returning state runner-up Arrie Martin of Jones County. Martin is a strong 35–3 on the season, with his only losses coming to out-of-state hammers and in-state standout Callum McCormack. That resume earns him the nod. But Harrington’s resume is just as good at 36–6, and many of those losses came against elite competition as well—out-of-state studs and in-state hammers like Jake Rheaume, Costen Wright, and Wisdom Iheanacho—each capable of winning a title this weekend.
The reality is that several wrestlers here have a legitimate path to the top. Beyond Harrington and Martin, this bracket includes other proven postseason performers: Pizzutiello, Christian Papcun, Gunter Fore, and Easton Boren have all been on this stage before and know how to navigate it.
The quarterfinals could swing everything. Watch for Papcun vs. Boren, with the winner likely drawing Harrington, and Pizzutiello vs. Fore, where the winner would earn a shot at Martin. No matter how you slice it—or who gets labeled the favorite—the proof will be on the mat. When it’s all said and done, someone will be standing on top of the podium, smiling, having earned it the hard way.
175 lbs.
Favorite: Bo Davis - Blessed Trinity
Contenders:
Paul Lanier - Woodland (Cartersville)
Griffin Harper - Flowery Branch
Mason Tompkins - Cass
Jamorrie Cole - Eastside
Darkhorse: Jacob Skinner - Jones County
Bracketbuster: Collin Deal - Ware County
Another weight where picking a favorite is anything but straightforward. Bo Davis and Griffin Harper were both third a year ago, while Paul Lanier and Mason Tompkins were both state runners-up. Add in five more returning state qualifiers and you’ve got one of the deeper brackets in the class.
Davis was sharp last weekend, pinning Tompkins in the semis before receiving a forfeit from Lanier in the finals. Harper may have been even more eye-catching—four first-period falls while surrendering just two total points across the entire weekend. That said, the cross-bracketing makes Harper’s road brutal. Assuming chalk (and yes, that’s always dangerous), Harper could see either Lanier or Tompkins in the semis, and neither is an easy out at this stage.
On the other side, Davis would likely draw the winner of Jamorrie Cole and Jacob Skinner, a matchup Cole controlled decisively last weekend in a 24–7 win. On paper, the path to the finals is cleaner for Davis—but he earned that advantage with his performance at sectionals.
Still, nothing is given here. Davis can’t afford to look ahead to a possible showdown with Harper, Lanier, or Tompkins, because this bracket is exactly the kind that punishes anyone who does.
190 lbs.
Favorite: Xander Dossett - Ola
Contenders:
Owen Jones - Woodland (Cartersville)
Gavin Massingill - Dalton
Cadieu Dunlap - Eastside
Nolan Bloom - North Oconee
Darkhorse: Walker Thomas - Cambridge
Bracketbuster: Camden Gates - New Hampstead
In most other brackets, returning state placer Owen Jones would be the clear favorite based on his body of work this season. Jones is 28–3 and absolutely dismantled the Section A field with four first-period falls. But this bracket also includes one of the very best 190-pounders anywhere—not just in Georgia, but nationally. Defending state champion Xander Dossett enters 44–1, with his lone loss coming in the Knockout finals to Camden County standout Ryder Wilder, a consensus top-three wrestler in the country. Outside of that match, Dossett hasn’t been pushed.
Honestly, this feels like the rare weight where it may be reasonable to write the finalists’ names in ink. That’s not a knock on the rest of the field—Massingill, Dunlap, Crisp, Bloom, Thomas, and others are all capable and will be in the mix—but it would be a surprise to see anyone break through and replace either Jones or Dossett in the finals.
215 lbs.
Favorite: John Gill - Woodland (Cartersville)
Contenders:
Codey Dean - Cass
Luke Thompson - Jones County
Josian Hernandez - Dalton
Shea Verstraete - North Oconee
Darkhorse: Jude Wiseman - Locust Grove
Bracketbuster: Maverick Armour - Tucker
While 190 offers a rare level of certainty, we’re right back to chaos at 215. Returning state runner-up John Gill was dominant last weekend, rolling through Section A with three tech falls before pinning Codey Dean in the finals. Region 7 shines once again here—but more on that in a moment.
On the other side sits returning state qualifier Luke Thompson, who had to battle his way to the Section B title. Thompson earned a 4–2 quarterfinal win over Kaleb Williamson, followed it with a 7–2 semifinal victory over returning state placer Maverick Armour, and capped the run with a solid 8–0 decision over Shea Verstraete in the finals.
Thompson’s bottom side is loaded, featuring a pair of Region 7 hammers—including last year’s State Champion Josian Hernandez. Dean knocked Hernandez off 13–5 in last weekend’s semis, and Hernandez will be eager for payback if they cross paths again. The winner of that matchup would likely draw Thompson, who could also see freshman Antonio Ruiz in the quarters.
Up top, Gill may be waiting on the winner of Verstraete and returning state placer Jude Wiseman—another potential rematch after Verstraete’s 7–3 quarterfinal win in Section B.
This is a fascinating weight with multiple wrestlers who have stood on the podium before. Unlike 190, nothing feels locked in here. Paths are brutal, rematches loom, and Region 7’s influence could once again shape the final outcome.
285 lbs.
Favorite: Alex Miller - Allatoona
Contenders:
Jayden Thomasson - Central (Carroll)
Luiis Familia (SE Whitfield)
Joe Ruberte (North Oconee)
Amir Ferguson (SW DeKalb)
Darkhorse: Will Thomas - Woodland (Cartersville)
Bracketbuster: Bradley Gallup (Hiram)
It simply doesn’t get much better than this 285-pound bracket. It features six returning state placers, including defending state champion Amir Ferguson, who surprisingly will not enter as the favorite after finishing third last weekend in Section B. Add in two more returning state qualifiers and several heavyweights who have already shown they can knock off elite competition, and you’ve got a bracket where the path is brutal no matter where you land. That said, it’s hard to imagine a tougher road than the one sitting on the top side.
Section A champion Alex Miller earned his title the hard way—beating returning state placer Braley Gallup in the semis before grinding out a tight 2–1 win over another returning state placer, Luis Familia, in the finals. Over in Section B, Jayden Thomasson, also a returning state placer, handled business early. The real shock came when returning state runner-up Joe Ruberte knocked off defending champ Ferguson 7–4 in tiebreakers. Thomasson then turned around and defeated Ruberte 5–1 to claim the Section B title.
So what does all of that mean? A lot. The top side could feature a Ferguson vs. Ruberte rematch in the Friday-night quarters, with the winner likely drawing Miller. The bottom side is no picnic either, with Familia—Region 7 champ—potentially meeting Will Thomas, fourth out of Region 7, and the winner likely getting Thomasson (or maybe not) … because Thomasson quarter will be no picnic.
And arguably the best opening-round matchup—not just at 285, but maybe in all of 4A—could be Wesley Sappington vs. Gallup, with the winner earning a shot at Thomasson. There is no easy path here, no safe draw, and no margin for error. With this level of depth and volatility, it would not be a surprise to see any number of wrestlers standing on the top step when it’s all said and done.
Thanks for another great fans guide!