MIDDLEBURG - Middleburg High's wrestling team got an early 17-9 lead on Class 2A rival Clay High in their dual match at Middleburg to set the tone for a dramatic finish on senior night and alumni appreciation night in the Carrie Prewitt Gym, but the Blue Devils spoiled the party with a 36-33 come from behind win Wednesday night .

"Both sides wrestled hard, but we had the upper weight advantage and came on strong at the end," said Clay junior Landon Martin, a third place state finisher last year, who won a tough 3-1 match at 190 in just his  third match since a football hand injury. "I got a little tired out there without the match time, but my experience got me through the end."

An expected Clay vs Middleburg FHSAA Duals region semifinals re-matchup did not happen with Pace High defeating Middleburg in the region duals opener. Clay eventual lost to Pace in the region finals. 

At Middleburg, Clay started the night with a pin from heavyweight Jayshawn McCloud, but the Bronco lower weights got back quickly with pins from Jonathan Harp and Gavin Fisher at 106 and 113 putting Middleburg up 12-6.  Both teams traded wins with Calvin Wells at 120 for Clay and a tech win from Nathan Harvey tech winning over Benjamin Mitts scoring the match at 17-9.

Landon Willard and Colt Daigle started the Blue DEvils reversal with Daigle pinning to give Clay an 18-17 lead, but Middleburg's Chris McKeel and Micah Thomas kept things dicey with a pin and major to turn the scoreboard upside down with Middleburg now up 27-18. 

In one of the most exciting matches of the night, at 157, pitting Clay's Calvin St. Clair and Middleburg's Daniel Raines, the seesaw match went to St. Clair on a 7-5 decision before Drew Holmquist stormed the gym with a quick pin to tie the score at 27-27.

A thunderous pin from Clay's Drew Loveland got the Blue Devil lead back at 175 to give Clay a 33-27 lead.

In a return to action from injury, Clay High state medalist Landon Martin, in  his third match for the season, grinding out a 3-1  win over Middleburg's Keensme Roseme to 36-27.

Middleburg's Porter Loveland got the final points with a pin at 215 to 36-33.