CANONSBURG — Scoring first was critical and Cole Baxter knew it.

That's why the Butler senior 171-pounder lunged at Bethel Park's Nick Bonaccorsi right off the opening whistle of their WPIAL Class AAA championship match Saturday night at Canon McMillan High School.

“Cole wanted to be the aggressor. Score first and dictate the tempo and pace of the match,” Butler coach Scott Stoner said.

Bonaccorsi was not surprised, however, did not surrender the takedown and turned the tables on Baxter for a 5-0 victory.

Bonaccorsi (39-0) and Baxter (41-2) stayed tied up for most of the first period. When the Bethel Park wrestler rolled on top prior to the pair going out of bounds, he was awarded a takedown with 13 seconds left in the period.

Those were the first — and most critical — points in the match.

“I knew I had to score first,” Bonaccorsi said. “That kid is a great defensive wrestler and you can't fall behind against him.

“Once I got the lead, I was able to relax a little bit. I felt comfortable out there.”

Bonaccorsi added an escape 22 seconds into the second period and a takedown with 55 seconds left. He rode Baxter for the remainder of the match.

“He's not used to being ridden like that,” Stoner said of Baxter. “That kid was strong. He's No. 2 or 3 in the state rankings, Cole No. 4 or 5. It's not like we lost to someone who's not going to do anything (in Hershey). That kid might win the state title.

“I was surprised they gave (Bonaccorsi) the takedown there. They were locked up, nothing changed, all of a sudden they're on the edge of the mat and he gets two points.”

Baxter was unsure of how the points were awarded as well.

“I don't know ... He did get on top of me, but we were rolling around,” he said.

“I never think I'm going to have trouble with anyone on the mat. I had to escape (later in the match) and I couldn't get out. What can you say?”

Bonaccorsi was the WPIAL runner up at 160 pounds last year. He is 153-27 in his career. Baxter is a three-time WPIAL finalist and is 156-15.

They were two of four wrestlers in the finals — Franklin Regional's Nico Megaludis (166 at 125 pounds) and Central Catholic's Lorenzo Thomas (153 at 152) — with more than 150 career wins.

The Golden Tornado had two wrestlers reach the third round of consolations, but no farther. Blake Caudull dropped a 6-1 decision at 112 pounds and Dakoda Collins bowed by a 4-3 count at 152.

“We have to get more aggressive earlier in the matches down here,” Stoner said. “That's a trend I'm seeing with our guys. We're not generating much offense in this tournament.

“You only have six minutes out there. You have to get busy right away.”

Butler 145-pound senior Mike Crawford, injuring a knee and shoulder Friday night, returned for his second-round consolation Saturday, losing 1-0 by allowing a second-period escape.

Crawford ended his career at 118-31, second all-time to Baxter on the Tornado win list.

“I wasn't going to sit out my last chance,” Crawford said. “I had to give it a try.”

Seneca Valley senior 125-pounder Aaron Schettler was the Raiders' lone competitor Saturday. He dropped a 5-0 decision in the second round of consolations to end his season at 25-11.

WPIAL AAA Wrestling Local ResultsChampionship Finals171 pounds — Nick Bonaccorsi (Bethel Park) dec. Cole Baxter (Butler), 5-0

Championship Semifinals171 pounds — Cole Baxter (Butler) dec. David Fitzpatrick (Ambridge), 11-2

3rd-Round Consolations112 pounds — Lukas Etzel (Elizabeth Forward) dec. Blake Caudill (Butler), 6-1

152 pounds — Patrick Palmer (Albert Gallatin) dec. Dakoda Collins (Butler), 4-3

2nd-Round Consolations112 pounds — Blake Caudill (Butler) dec. John Fafalios (Ringgold), 6-1

125 pounds — Phil Kail (Bethel Park) dec. Aaron Schettler (Seneca Valley), 5-0

130 pounds — Kevin Synan (Hampton) dec. Jesse Spohn (Butler), 6-0

135 pounds — John Marotto (Plum) dec. Zach Collins (Butler), 7-2

145 pounds — Erik Rayman (Norwin) dec. Mike Crawford (Butler), 1-0

152 pounds — Dakoda Collins (Butler) pinned Chris Vayo (Mt. Lebanon), :37