2A-3 Preview: Fierce rivals continue battle in new district
Kabra Wrestling Rankings are updated every week all season long for Kabra+ members.
Last season: Oakleaf’s depth was the difference as 11 wrestlers placed in the 37.5 point victory.
How did Kabra do?: We went with our team to watch Middleburg over the favorite and got it wrong. Both teams have moved on from the district.
Last year’s district tournament results
Last year’s region tournament results
Wrestlers to watch: Rylan Herrera (Clay), Jacob Bucci (Clay), Sebastian Bonachea (Fleming Island), Laird Duhaylungsod (Fleming Island), Dylan Beck (Fleming Island), Aaron Stacy (Clay), Poulo Milea (Ponte Vedra), Landon Martin (Clay), Walter Poe (Fleming Island), Kevin Reyes (Fleming Island), Drew Holmquist (Clay), Vonte Burke (Clay), Talan Babin (Ponte Vedra)
The favorite: Fleming Island. The Golden Eagles have won nine consecutive district titles and should be loaded again.
Team to watch: Clay. The two rivals have switched districts but keep battling. This may be Clay’s best duals team they’ve had in a long time.
District duals: Saturday, December 21 at Clay, 10 a.m.
District IBT: Thursday, February 20 at Westside, 2:30
Fleming Island Golden Eagles (#6/#15)
Coach: PJ Cobbert
Recent district results: 2024:1-2A4; 2023:1-2A4; 2022:1-2A2; 2021:1-3A1; 2020:1-3A1; 2019:1-3A1; 2018:1-3A1; 2017:1-3A1; 2016:1-3A1; 2015:2-3A1; 2014:1-3A1; 2013:1-3A1; 2012:1-3A1
Last state champion: Jayce Paridon, 2023 (132)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Kaden Schaefer, 44-1, 2nd, RC, DC; Jordan Mukaddam, 49-5, 4th, RC, DC; Christopher Chop, 47-8, 4th, RC, DC; Matthew Kotler, 13-3, RQ-BR, DC; Matthew Newman, 41-8, 7th, R3, D2; Joseph Forte, 33-16, RQ, D4.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Walter Poe, Sr.; Laird Duhaylungsod, Sr., 50-6, 5th, RC, DC; Kevin Reyes, Sr., 47-11, SQ, RC, DC; Dylan Beck, Sr., 43-16, SQ, R3, D2; Calvin Wells, So., 18-8, RQ-BR, DC; Shane Duhaylungsod, Sr., 28-9; Matthew Braddock, So., 3-6; Cooper Beck, Jr., 16-15, RQ, D4; Tylr Frein, So., 15-6; Zion Longmire, So., 8-7.
New wrestler: Sebastian Bonachea, Jr., 37-3, 3rd, RC, DC (Transfer from Oakleaf)
The Florida High School Wrestling Season District Previews
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Class 3A: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16
Class 2A: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16
Class 1A: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16
Girls: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16
District Predictions: All 64 projected final IBT standings
Other content: Transfers | Coaching changes | Tournament schedule | Dual schedule | Team schedules
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Clay Blue Devils (#8/#7)
Coach: James Reape (30th as head coach, 32nd overall at Clay)
Assistant coaches: Luke Frame, Lyndon Dunham, Julie Briendel Hill
23-24 dual record: 20-7
Recent district results: 2024:2-2A4; 2023:2-2A4; 2022:1-1A4; 2021:1-1A4; 2020:1-1A4; 2019:1-1A3; 2018:1-1A3; 2017:1-1A3; 2016:1-1A3; 2015:1-1A5; 2014:1-1A5; 2013:1-1A4; 2012:1-1A4
Last state champion: Robert Tyre, 2022 (220)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Jadon Bell, 27-14, RQ, D3; William Kelly, RQ-BR, D3.
Notable returning wrestlers: Jacob Bucci, Sr., 23-1, 2nd, RC, DC; Rylan Herrera, Sr., 44-11, 2nd, R2, DC; Landon Martin, So., 39-13, SQ, R2, DC; Aaron Stacey, Sr., 27-13, SQ, R2, DC; Vonte Burke, Sr., 32-11, RQ-BR, D2; Drew Holmquist, Jr., 37-12, RQ-BR, DC; Tison Rivers, Jr., RQ, D3; Braden Glavin, Sr.; Landon Willard, Jr., RQ, D2; Brody Lyda, 15-3, Jr.; Jackson Hornback, Sr.; Ben Mitts, So.
What they are saying: “This is potentially our best dual team in nearly a decade. We should have more experience and balance.”
Outlook:
Ponte Vedra Sharks (NR/#20)
Coach: Josean Gonzalez (7th at school/16th overall)
Assistant coaches: Jordan Matthews, Gary Define
Recent district results: 2024:3; 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): Bryson Hubbard, 31-6, SQ, RC, DC.
Notable returning wrestlers: Talan Babin, Jr., 35-9, SQ, R4, DC; Jaiden Zajni, Sr., 28-9, SQ, R4, DC; Brody Hines, Sr., 22-17, RQ, D3; Poulo Milea, Sr., 17-5, RQ, D2; Daniel De Almeida, Jr., 25-10, RQ-BR, DC; Shane Goetz, Jr., 17-14, RQ, D4; Robert Greico, Sr., 14-12, RQ, D3; Matthew Kowitski, So.
New wrestlers: Cash Trujillo, So.; Baxly Hines, Jr.; Michael Aker, Fr.
What they are saying: “I’m just really excited for this season. It’s going to be great. No matter the outcome, our kids have been working really hard and we’ve set some goals and we’re going to try our best to achieve them.”
On this team being deep: “This is my seventh year at Ponte Vedra and we made it to state duals regionals one time as a team. I’m looking forward to playing a little chess with the depth and experience we have. I’m feeing pretty confident about this crew. We have some younger guys that we want to really develop and throw them out there and bump some people to do what we need to get the job done.”
On classroom goals: “We definitely have some kids that are high achievers in the classroom, just as they do it on the wrestling mat. I’m a teacher and I’m on campus and it makes me really proud to have a team that does both.”
Outlook: With seven region qualifiers back in the lineup and an influx of experience from the JV ranks and hungry freshman coming in, this Sharks team will have a formidable dual lineup and could see its best success in the state duals series.
Beachside Barracudas
Coach: Lance Day
Recent district results: 2024:5; 2023:4-1A4
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Eddie Craig, 33-6, 6th, R2, DC; Grady Smith, 38-7, RQ-BR, D2; Elijah Morrvaridy, 32-14, RQ, D4.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Jayden Afonso, Jr., 23-12, RQ, D4; Andrew Arsenault, So., 15-9, RQ, D4; Christian Sanchez, Jr., 19-14, RQ, D3; Isaac Pfaff, Jr., 16-10, RQ, D4.
Outlook: After a first season in Class 1A, the Barracudas move up to Class 2A this season.
Westside Wolverines
Coach: Chris McNealy
Recent district results: 2024:9; 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): None
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Jacob Jackson, Sr., 21-3, RQ-BR, DC; Destini Gibbs-Fleming, Jr., 13-8, RQ, D4; Isaiah Balthazar, Jr., 11-19, RQ, D5.
Orange Park Raiders
Coach: Tyler DeHart (1st season)
Assistant coaches: Rey Hernandez, Ethan Jones
Recent district results: 2024:7; 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): Joseph Ellis, RQ, D4; Jonathan Garland, RQ-BR, D4; Joseph Sneed, So., RQ, D3 (Transfer to Ridgeview)
Notable returning wrestlers: Elijah Grant, Jr., RQ, D3; Justin Garay, Jr., RQ, D4.
What they are saying: “We are young, but ready to work and get better.”
Outlook: DeHart takes over the program and hopes to lead it in a different direction than it’s been going.
Ed White Commanders
Coach: Avery Wilds (5th season)
Assistant Coach: Matt Klauder, Walter Goodman, Darien Tucker, Demarcus Raysor
Recent district results: 2024:8; 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): Alejandro Sanchez, 36-4, RQ-BR, DC; Keyon St. Marc;
Notable returning wrestlers: Darrious Mason, Sr.; Justin Austin, Sr.; Evan Jacobs, Jr.
What they are saying: “This year’s team is young but determined ready to make their name known. Some of our younger guys looking make a big impact this year.”
Outlook: The Commanders have lurked at the bottom of the district standings but are hoping to improve on that we a young team that will gain experience as the season grows.
Riverside Generals
Coach: Ricky Hicks
Recent district results: 2024:6; 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): Anthony Kearney, 43-10, SQ, R3, D2; Demontra Burnett, 29-10, SQ, R4, D2; Jatarus Smith, RQ, D3; Orion Barnhardt, 13-8, D6.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: MarQuez Griffin, Sr., RQ, D3.
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)
Outlook: We have not been able to confirm if Englewood will have a team or not this season.