Butler, Knoch and Seneca Valley have plenty of wrestlers willing and able to compete when the Section 3-AAA tournament takes place at Fox Chapel High School Saturday.

But part of the story, at least for the Golden Tornado and the Knights, is about those who will be unable to take part.

Ian McLaughlin, Butler's junior 125-pounder who would have been bidding for his third consecutive section title and first state tournament appearance, was pulled out of this weekend's action because of post-concussion problems.

McLaughlin (17-2) returned after nearly seven weeks off to wrestle four times in the Hempfield Duals last weekend. After his fourth match, he laid on the mat in exhaustion and was taken to a hospital for observation.

"We had to shut him down,"Butler coach Scott Stoner said. "We brought him back a little bit too soon. His head just wasn't physically ready for the rigors of wrestling."

McLaughlin's father, Mark, also is the coach of Knoch's first-year wrestling program.

"Ian's had numerous surgeries on his knees, he's had two concussions, shoulder problems — he's come back from so many setbacks,"the elder McLaughlin said. "He had a really good shot at getting to states this year.

"To see that happen to your own son, to see him denied that opportunity, is heart-wrenching."

McLaughlin has similar problems on his own team. Nick Downing (13-5), a junior at 119 pounds who has the best record on the team, will miss the section tournament because of an inflamed nerve in his midsection.

Another junior, Rob Kisiel (11-7) at 112 pounds, has missed the past two weeks with a sinus infection. He returned to practice Tuesday and likely will compete Saturday.

Rob Rickerd (7-7) at 125 pounds is out for the season after undergoing kneesurgery a week ago.

"Even with a first-year team, I figured we had a real shot at getting five kids through to the WPIALmeet,"McLaughlin said. "We just couldn't peak at the right time."

McLaughlin still likes the chances of 103-pounder Dylan Leslie (8-6) and 140-pounder Nash Leslie (14-10). Grayson Hixon (12-4), who lost in wrestleoffs to Dylan Leslie, may bump up to 112 pounds.

The top four placers in each weight class advance to the WPIALmeet. Section 3 teams are Butler, Knoch, Seneca Valley, North Allegheny, North Hills, Shaler, Pine-Richland, Avonworth and Fox Chapel.

While Stoner won't have McLaughlin available, he does have four viable contenders in 152-pound junior Josh Pascazi (26-4), 215-pound sophomore Marino Quercio (20-11), 135-pound sophomore Derek Hays (16-9) and 145-pound junior Alex Evanoff (18-10).

Pascazi, ranked sixth in the WPIALat 152, has lost only to Fox Chapel's Brian Letters in section competition.

"Josh is our best shot at getting through,"Stoner said. "He's had a tremendous season and should be the No. 2 seed behind Letters, a two-time placewinner.

"Marino has the second-best record in the section at 215 and has had quite a turnaround. He was 8-23 and got pinned 22 times last year."

Quercio has 12 pins this season.

Senior Lee Will at 152, Aaron Raible (15-16) at 130 and Dave Jaillet (12-13) at 103 also have solid shots at advancing for Butler. Jaillet recently dropped to 103 after wrestling at 112 all year.

"It's important for our underclassmen to experience the WPIALmeet to set them up for next year,"Stoner said.

Seneca Valley advanced only two wrestlers to WPIALs a year ago — Frank Mullett and Nick Perri — but the Raiders figure to do much better this time around.

Sophomore Grant Evans (17-9) is a contender at 112 pounds, and freshman Nate Cully (18-6) is undefeated in section competition. Pat Coyne (25-3) is a senior at 145.

Mullett (16-10) is at 152 and bids for his third WPIALtournament appearance. Senior Dave Kovach is 18-8 at 160, senior Zach Cahall is 14-9 at 171 and junior Ryan Scheller is 21-9 at 189.

"Depending on how the seeding falls, we could have a lot of guys get through,"Raiders coach Lee Mullett said. "If everyone wrestles well, everyone's got a shot."

Weigh-ins are at 9:30 a.m. Saturday. Bouts begin at 10:30. Doors open for the final session at 6 p.m. with the parade of champions set for 6:30.