FLEMING ISLAND - Fleming Island's team depth is paying off dividends as the room with the most state ranked teammates can only maintain a high level of excellence in state rankings as the second half of wrestling season begins in January.

Ironically, many of Clay County's best guys have faced off against eventual state finalists in their own quest for the gold medal.

With seniors Kaden Schaefer and Chris Chop probably the most hardened veterans on the team; both multiple state meets under their belts, Fleming Island coach P.J. Cobbert, second in Class 2A last year, only has to keep his fighter jets fueled up for maximum points as wrestlers look forward to some of the more power-struck invitationals on top of district and region duals championship tournaments.

With Schaefer; who lost to Lake Gibson state champion Hayden Whiddon in semifinal before finishing third, at number two in 150 pounds, according to Kabra Wrestlings' weekly rankings, and Chop at No. 3 in 175, Cobbert's troops have to push to get into those top five ranks to put a scare into the likes of Lake Gibson, 2A team champions, and Tampa Jesuit, 2A fourth, both seasoned power programs with Jesuit fielding five number ones and Lake Gibson just one number one; 152 champion Gianni Maldonaldo at 157, but with a bevy of number twos. Middleburg has junior Wyatt Leduc at fifth in the class and Leduc is a fierce battler that can surprise.

Oakleaf and Clay, looking to make some noise at the region duals meet with Middleburg staying busy over the holiday, has Clay's Joseph Bucci at number two at 113; Fleming Island rival Matthew Newman at six, behind Jesuit's Malachi Ortiz and Oakleaf's Sebastian Bonachea at 126 behind Mariner's top ranked Camren French, the 113 runnerup last year, a transfer from Countryside.

Ironically, Bucci lost to 106 champion while Newman lost to 106 runnerup last year; both in semifinals with Bucci beating Newman for third place.

The 126 division is chock full of talent with Clay's Rylan Herrera at seven, Fleming Island's Shane Duhaylungsod at 11 and Oakleaf's Angel Rodriguez at 14. Rodriguez and Bonachea will have to sort out weight classes to maximize points for coach Mark Detoro who looks to keep his district title run in tact.

In 2023, Duhaylungsod lost to 113 champion Roman Lermer of Jesuit in his second match with Clay's freshman Drew Holmquist losing to 113 runnerup Camren French in his first match.

Middleburg has a surprise freshman, Gavin Fisher, 23-1 at 106, who is making waves as a sixth seed in that group includes Oakleaf's Connor Barnes at 11 and Ridgeview's Daniel Nguyen at 20.

Two guys with a tough row to hoe will be Middleburg's Grady Woodard, Fleming Island's Jordan Mukaddam and Oakleaf's Ian Hortinela all at 120 in a division that features a 1-2-3 top of Jesuit, Gibson and Jesuit with a Charlotte at four.

In 2023 at 120, Woodard lost to Jesuit champion Christian Fretwell in his second match.

One guy who may be in his more suitable weight class due to Middleburg increase in team size is senior Tucker Cody, now 12-1, who got to state as a small 285er last year, but looks more agreeable at 215 where he sits at sixth with unbeaten Matanzas Jordan Mills (12-0) on top. Also in 215's top 20 are Fleming Island's Walter Poe at eight, Jayshawn Mcloud of Clay at 11, Raymond Goforth of Ridgeview at 14 and Oakleaf's Evan Brown at 17.

The last guy to talk about is Fleming Island's 285 Kevin Reyes, a state weightlift champion, who is only ranked 20, but has a Georgia state runnerup on his hit list highlighting his potential.

Holiday results

Beast of the Beach Invite, Dec. 30

1. Tallassee

2. Collierville

3. Harris County

13. Middleburg

Middleburg ran three wins in pool play; 60-16 over Mosley, 60-9 over Liberty County, 45-29 over Niceville, 75-0 over Ft Walton Beach.

In championship round, Middleburg lost to Smiths Station (AL) 42-40, Harris County (GA) 42-37; beat Port Charlotte 47-23; Harris County finished third, Mosley eighth, Fort Walton Beach ninth.

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Knockout Christmas Classic

Kissimmee, FL Dec. 22-23

1. Cleveland (TN)

2. South Dade

3. Buford (GA)

4. Jesuit

5. Mill Creek (GA)

42. Clay

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St. Johns Super 8

Creekside HS Dec. 15-16

Clay goes 5-0; wins over Pedro Menendez (66-12), Episcopal (60-15), Nease (72-6), Bishop Kenny (75-6) and Creekside (53-24). Creekside match was for tournament title. Three Clay wrestlers Ben Mitts, Vonte Burke, Jackson Hornbeck, Rylan Herrera, Drew Holmquist and Jadon Bell all unbeaten.

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Oakleaf wins district duals title

Oakleaf gets wins over Ed White, Ridgeview and Middleburg (45-28) for the district 3-2A duals title, a first for coach Mark Detoro.

Middleburg had wins over Riverside and Beachside to get to the Oakleaf final.

Oakleaf will host region event January 11.

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Boys Districts

District 3-2A, Region 1

Middleburg, Oakleaf, Orange Park, Ridgeview

District 4-2A, Region 1

Clay, Fleming Island

Region 1 Duals championship at Clay HS, Feb. 23-24

District 4-1A, Region 1

Keystone Heights, St. Johns Country Day School

Region 1 Duals championship at Wewahitchka Feb. 23-24

Girls Districts

District 2-1A, Region 1

Oakleaf, Orange Park

District 3-1A, Region 1

Clay, Fleming Island, Keystone Heights, Middleburg, Ridgeview

Upcoming Matches

Thurs., Jan. 4: District 4-2A Duals at Fleming Island 11:30 start

Fri.-Sat., Jan. 5-6: Joe Bees Memorial Battle of the Border, Yulee HS. Middleburg, Friday noon start, Saturday 8 a.m.

Sat., Jan. 6: Marine Corps Invitational, Riverside HS, Keystone Heights. 9:30 am start.

Fri.-Sat., Jan. 12-13: Billy Saylor Duals, Suwannee HS. Fleming Island, Friday 12:30 p.m., Sat., 9:30 a.m..

Cousins-Milton-Winter Memorial, St. Cloud HS, Middleburg. Fri., 5 p.m.; Sat. 9 a.m.

Gator Brawl, Wewahitchka HS, Ridgeview, Friday noon, Sat., 10 a.m.

Sat., Jan. 13: Rusted Jade Ladies Classic, Hernando HS, Middleburg.

Sat., Jan. 13: Trojan Invitational, Lincoln HS, Clay, 10:30 a.m. start

Sat., Jan. 13: Wolfpack IBT Challenge: Wolfson HS, Keystone Heights. 9:30 a.m. start

Wed. Jan. 17: Raider Duals at OPHS