Tale of 2 seasons

By SAM TALLARICO Eagle Staff Writer

January 25, 2007 Last Updated: January 25, 2007 01:41 PM High School

Butler's Alex Evanoff has control of Seneca Valley's Pat Coyne in their 145-pound match Wednesday, but Coyne recorded a 13-3 major decision to help the Raiders to a 52-16 win over the Golden Tornado.

Seneca continues on upswing by beating sliding Butler

BUTLER TWP — Seneca Valley coach Lee Mullett continues to see rapid development in his wrestlers.

Butler coach Scott Stoner continues to see a promising season turn to disappointment.

In Wednesday's section matchup, the Raiders used five pins, including four in the final five bouts, to roll to a 52-16 victory.

"Our kids keep improving," said Mullett. "All of our losses are to playoff teams. All the kids are learning to apply that to next year."

"You go up and down the lineup and I don't see any progress," said Stoner. "It's the same thing. It's a lack of execution. I'm seeing it in practice, but I'm not seeing it here. It's difficult."

Butler jumped out to a 4-0 lead when Justin Victor earned a 9-1 major decision over Nick Phillips in the 103-pound match, but the Raiders (8-7, 6-3) grabbed the next five bouts.

Forfeits at 112 and 125 sandwiched a Dan Papst pin at 119. Decisions won by Nate Cully (130) and Alex Reddinger (135) upped Seneca Valley's lead to 24-4.

Butler's Derek Hays and Seneca Valley's Bart LaLonde were tied at 3 in the 140-pound match before LaLonde was called for stalling with two seconds remaining to give Hays the 4-3 decision.

Pat Coyne answered for the Raiders with a 13-3 major decision over Alex Evanoff at 145 before Butler's Josh Pascazi downed Frank Mullett 9-4 to make it 28-10.

"Pat Coyne at (145), he did exactly what we needed to do," said Stoner. "He had a good lead leg, good timing, real sharp.

"(Pascazi) did very well, too. We look at what we can do to improve at this level. He was our one bright spot," Stoner added.

The Raiders ripped off three consecutive pins — Dave Kovach (160) in 1:09, Zach Cahall (71) in 3:06 and Ryan Scheller (189) in 1:07 — to take a commanding 46-10 lead.

"From 145 and 152 and up, that's where our senior leadership is," said Mullett. "The upper weights, though, we're really young, but they're building."

Marino Quercio earned a pin at 215 for Butler (5-9, 3-6) before Ian Whittaker of Seneca Valley wrapped up the meet with a pin of his own in 1:52.

"We've got to find something to be positive about and turn things around," said Stoner. "When things go well, the guys can feed off of that, but when we're down, we're down. We're not going to let the season go."

Butler will take part in the Seneca Valley Tournament Saturday while the Raiders will host Laurel on Friday before competing Saturday.

Seneca Valley 52, Butler 16Match started at 103103 — Justin Victor (B) major dec. over Nick Phillips, 9-1;

112 — Grant Evans (SV) won by forfeit;

119 — Dan Papst (SV) pinned Dave Jaillet, 1:29;

125 — Nino Ruberto (SV) won by forfeit;

130 — Nate Cully (SV) dec. Aaron Raible, 6-3;

135 — Alex Reddinger (SV) dec. Todd Weist, 10-4;

140 — Derek Hays (B) dec. Bart LaLonde 4-3;

145 — Pat Coyne (SV) major dec. over Alex Evanoff, 13-3;

152 — Josh Pascazi (B) dec. Frank Mullett, 9-4;

160 — Dave Kovach (SV) pinned Lee Will, 1:09;

171 — Zach Cahall (SV) pinned Jake Lytle, 3:06;