2A-3 Preview: Middleburg looks to return to top spot for first time since 2016
BY BRANT PARSONS — Middleburg coach Coll Robertson enters his third season in charge of the program and with six years of coaching under his belt, he’s ready for a district title.
It would be the Broncos first since 2016.
"In my classroom, I'm looking at our back-to-back district runners-up trophies and then a region runner-up trophy and it's embarrassing,” Robertson said. “I hate to be like that, but come on, we could do better. Now, last year, district runner up and region runner up to the eventual team state champs, that's nothing to be too upset about. But you know, runner up is just... we don't want that, we want more."
They’ll need to outscore last year’s district champion Oakleaf to add a champions trophy to the mix.
Kabra Wrestling Rankings are updated every week all season long for Kabra+ members.
Last season: Oakleaf’s depth was the difference as 12 wrestlers placed in the 16.5 point victory.
Last year’s district tournament results
Last year’s region tournament results
Wrestlers to watch: Wyatt Leduc (Middleburg), Sebastian Bonochea (Oakleaf), Tucker Cody (Middleburg), Walter Woodard (Middleburg), Anthony Kearney (Riverside), Eddie Craig (Beachside), Ion Hortinela (Oakleaf), Porter Loveland (Middleburg), Keon Barrientos (Oakleaf)
The favorite: Oakleaf. They do have 7 region qualifiers possibly coming back, but this race should be tight.
Team to watch: Middleburg. Last year’s district duals champion placed third in the IBT and they’re still upset about that performance.
District duals: Dec. 19 at Middleburg
District IBT: Feb. 14 at Oakleaf
Kabra Says: Do I have bias for teams that give me more information? Probably, but that’s only because I know more about them and I know that Middleburg has been chasing this prize for some time now. I’ll give them the edge by .5 points.
Middleburg Broncos (#20 IBT | #11 Dual)
Coach: Coll Robertson (3rd season at school/6th overall)
Assistant Coach: Jamie Harrison
22-23 dual record: 17-4
Recent district results: 2023:3; 2022:5-2A2; 2021:3-2A2; 2020:6-2A2; 2019:5; 2018:3; 2017:2; 2016:1; 2015:2; 2014:2; 2013:5; 2012:6
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Logan Moore, 42-11, 5th, R3, DC; Bryce Meldrum, 15-16, RQ, D4; Bryan Davis, So., 24-7 (Transfer to South Carolina);
Notable returning wrestlers: #5-150 Wyatt Leduc, Jr., 42-8, SQ, R3, DC; #6-120 Walter Woodard, Sr., 42-12, SQ, R2, DC; #6-215 Tucker Cody, Sr., 40-10, SQ, R2, DC; #9-190 Porter Loveland, So., 33-13; #15-138 Parker Richards, So.; #19-144 Sean Blouin, So.; Dylan Johns, Sr., 23-19, RQ, D2; Daniel Raines, So., 19-18, RQ-BR, D2.
New wrestler: #11-106 Gavin Fisher; Benjamin Mitts; Dawson Brown; Nathan Harvey; Jacob Bishop
What they are saying: "We don't want to shy away from any tough competition. I looked at our schedule for this season and changed some things around so we can see better competition. The tougher guys that they're not supposed to beat or if they look at the rankings and see this guy ahead of them, and they beat that guy, that's it. That's all they need. That's the proof in the pudding right there."
On having quality depth at weight classes: "We want to be in that position. Teams like Lake Gibson, South Dade, Southwest Miami, they have this crazy depth where the guy on JV could take the place of the guy that's varsity and state placer or state qualifier. That's what we want. Because we never know what's going to happen in the season. Guys get hurt or guys can't make weight any more because they had a growth spurt or something like that. So we need that next guy to step up and be able to do just as well."
On a tough district: "Everybody's got to score points. I told them it was embarrassing that we won district duals and then placed third in the IBT district. And the only reason we did that was because we had three or four guys go into districts and lose to guys that they'd beaten before."
Stat time: Moore was the school’s first state placer since 2017. Woodard is trying to become the first four-time state qualifier in school history.
Outlook: This team is hungry from top to bottom with wrestlers who just missed out on placing at state last season and making it to state, and there’s a group of incoming freshman eager to make their way into the starting lineup.
Oakleaf Knights
Coach: Mark Detoro
Recent district results: 2023:1; 2022:1-3A1; 2021:3-3A1; 2020:2-3A1; 2019:5-3A1; 2018:4-3A1; 2017:6-3A1; 2016:6-3A1; 2015:3; 2014:3; 2013:7; 2012:10
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Caleb Pope, 38-16, RQ, D3; Roman Polinsky, 31-20, RQ, D2; Jacob Dewald, RQ, D2; Isaiah Shevchook, 39-7, 3rd, R2, DC.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: #5-126 Sebastian Bonochea, So., 32-9, 5th, R3, DC; #9-120 Ion Hortinela, Jr., 34-20, SQ, R4, D2; #10-144 Keon Barrientos, Sr., 22-9, SQ, R4, D2; #14-126 Angel Rodriguez, Jr., 16-3; Connor Barnes, So., 25-18, RQ, D3; Anthony Dees Jr, Sr., RQ, D4; Jeremiah Baker, Jr., RQ, D3; Evan Brown, So., RQ, D3.
Outlook: Last year’s district champions should be in the hunt again this year if they have a full collection of returners from a year ago.
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Ridgeview Panthers
Coach: Steve Inman
Recent district results: 2023:2; 2022:4-2A2; 2021:3-1A4; 2020:3-1A4; 2019:3; 2018:1; 2017:3; 2016:4; 2015:5; 2014:4; 2013:6; 2012:3
Last state champion: Matthew Rodriquez, 2021 (132)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Kaiden Tibbetts, 30-10, RQ, D3; Christian Garcia, 32-15, RQ-BR, DC; Tanner Tague, 26-19, RQ, D3; Trenton Manis, 22-16, RQ, D5.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: #10-106 Jason Barrett, Jr., 23-9, RQ-BR, DC; #13-190 Rayhn Hutchinson, Sr., 35-18, RQ, D4; #16-175 James Laycock, Sr., 24-14, RQ, DC; #18-215 Raymond Goforth, Sr., 32-14, RQ-BR, D2; Connor Carroll, Jr., 5-5; Daniel Nguyen, Jr., 20-20, RQ, D3; Sean Davis, So., 24-16, RQ, D4; Bailen Culver, Jr., 14-3.
Outlook: Last year’s district runner-up graduated four region qualifiers but could have six back in the room this year.
Westside Wolverines
Coach: Chris McNealy
Recent district results: 2023:4; 2022:2; 2021:6; 2020:5; 2019:6-1A3; 2018:5-1A3; 2017:3-1A3; 2016:6-1A3; 2015:2-1A3; 2014:5-1A3; 2013:7-1A4; 2012:10-1A4
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Olleon Hickmon, 20-7, RQ, D4; Nathan Williams, 30-7, SQ, R4, DC; Elijah Williams, 18-6, RQ, D2.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: #18-150 Gha-is Cooper, Jr., 21-7, RQ, D2; Jacob Jackson, Jr., 18-4, RQ-BR, D2; Jayden Joseph, So., 11-11, RQ, D4; Jamell Robinson, Jr., 15-9, RQ, D3.
Outlook: Four region qualifiers might be back for the Wolverines.
Beachside Barracudas
Coach: Lance Day
Recent district results: 2023:4-1A4
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Potential notable returning wrestlers: #8-190 Eddie Craig, Sr., 27-6, RQ, DC; #17-157 Grady Smith, Sr., 30-5, RQ-BR, DC; #18-106 Oliver Hayden, So., 26-7, RQ, D3; Makai Mitchell, Sr., 22-9, RQ, D3; Isaac Pfaff, So., 19-12, RQ, D4.
Outlook: After a first season in Class 1A, the Barracudas move up to Class 2A this season.
Terry Parker Braves
Coach:
Recent district results: 2023:5; 2022:3; 2021:7; 2020:8; 2019:4; 2018:6; 2017:5; 2016:6; 2015:8; 2014:6; 2013:6-2A2; 2012:5-2A2
Last state champion: Shomari Rozier, 1990 (171)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Curnard Juluke, 15-15, RQ, D3; Ben Helton, 28-11, RQ-BR, D3; Justin Rangeloff, 16-18, RQ, D4.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: #13-113 Shamar Jones, Jr., 26-10, RQ-BR, DC; Jeff Brown, Sr., 12-1; Damion Stoller, So., 17-18, RQ, D4.
Outlook: At the time of publication, Kabra Wrestling could not confirm the name of the coach this season.
Riverside Generals
Coach: Ricky Hicks
Recent district results: 2023:6; 2022:8; 2021:4; 2020:2; 2019:8-3A1; 2018:6-3A1; 2017:8-3A1; 2016:7-3A1; 2015:6; 2014:9; 2013:8-2A2; 2012:8-2A2
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Thomas Jones, 45-4, 6th, R3, DC.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: #6-165 Anthony Kearney, Sr., 37-10, SQ, R4, DC; Orion Barnhardt, Sr., 27-13, RQ, D4; Donald Reed, Sr., 13-7, RQ, D3; Demontra Burnett, Sr., 30-12, RQ, D4.
Outlook: The Generals lost a state placer but state qualifier and district champion Kearney could be back.
Ponte Vedra Sharks
Coach: Josean Gonzalez
Recent district results: 2023:7; 2022:5; 2021:2; 2020:3; 2019:5-2A4; 2018:6-2A4; 2017:6-2A4; 2016:5-2A4; 2015:6-2A4; 2014:6-2A4; 2013:10; 2012:5
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Aiden Taylor, 13-11, RQ, D4.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: #18-165 Talan Babin, So., 25-11, RQ-BR, D2; Baxley Hines, So., 17-15, RQ, D4; Cooper Platt, So., 9-11, RQ, D5; Daniel De Almeida, So., 14-13, RQ, D4.
New wrestler: Jaiden Zajni, Jr., 17-13, RQ, D2 (Transfer from Nease).
Outlook: Babin leads a group of region qualifiers that will look to raise the team’s stature in the district.
Orange Park Raiders
Coach: Justin Daniels
Recent district results: 2023:8; 2022:7-2A2; 2021:6-2A2; 2020:4-2A2; 2019:1; 2018:2; 2017:1; 2016:2; 2015:1; 2014:1; 2013:1; 2012:8
Last state champion: Corey Van Dorn, 2013 (182)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Elijah Grant, So., RQ, D2; Jonathan Garland, Sr., RQ, D3.
Outlook: The Raiders could return two region qualifiers from a year ago including district finalist Grant.
Ed White Commanders
Coach: Avery Wilds (4th season)
Assistant coaches: Walter Goodman, Darien Tucker
Recent district results: 2023:9; 2022:6; 2021:7-1A3; 2020:7-1A3; 2019:7; 2018:5; 2017:7; 2016:3; 2015:4; 2014:5; 2013:8-3A1; 2012:5-3A1
Last state champion: Michael Young, 1978 (155)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Jordan Jackson, 8-7, RQ, D3; Benny Lewis, Sr., 36-13, 8th, R2, DC (Transfer to Baker County)
Notable returning wrestler: #12-285 Alex Benitez, Sr., 29-12, RQ-BR, D3.
Outlook: The Commodores are hoping to get state placer Lewis back from Baker County for wrestling season. Lewis did not know his plan when asked by Kabra Wrestling.
Englewood Rams
Coach:
Recent district results: 2023:10; 2022:3; 2021:3; 2020:6; 2019:2; 2018:4; 2017:4; 2016:5; 2015:7; 2014:7; 2013:5-2A2; 2012:9-2A2
Last state champion: Derrick Mason, 1995 (220)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Noah Ray, RQ, D4.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: #13-285 Keith Forbes, Jr., 18-5, RQ-BR, D2.
Outlook: The Rams could have Forbes back with an eye on the state tournament.