RallyNorth.net

Sat, Feb 11, 2017 09:00 PM @ Methuen

Team	Final
at Methuen	3
Andover	0
Haverhill	0
Lawrence	0

D1 North: Methuen's Franklin struts his stuff

METHUEN — Darius Franklin admits that there is some pressure when you’re undefeated heading into the postseason.

“It does get to me a little bit,” said Methuen’s star 182-pounder. “Everybody  is after you.”

Franklin withstood the pressure yet again Saturday at the Division 1 North sectional, winning three times to improve to 29-0 heading into next week’s Division 1 state meet, also at Methuen.

Franklin won his first two matches with super-fast pins, in 18 and 15 seconds, but he had more of a test in the finals against Chelmsford’s Mike Kilmartin. After an opening takedown by Franklin, Kilmartin rallied back with a takedown and back points to take a sudden 4-3 lead.

“When he got that takedown, I was a little shocked, but I kept my cool,” said Franklin.

Indeed, Franklin got a quick reverse to make it 5-4, increased his lead to 13-5 after the second period and wound up with a convincing 19-7 major decision.

This was Franklin’s second sectional title, but he wasn’t ready to get too excited. He has yet to win a state title.

“That’s what I’m shooting for now,” he said. “My goal this year was just to do better than any other year.”

The key could be staying healthy. Franklin tore his ACL as a freshman, got injured at New England as a sophomore and suffered a concussion in the All-State finals last year.

“He’s looking good and is in one piece so far,” said Methuen coach Bill James. “That’s the big thing ... but he’ll be tested next week.”

Franklin’s title sparked Methuen to third place as a team, finishing with 189 points, trailing Chelmsford (200 1/2) and Shawsheen (193).

The Rangers had two other finalists as Jarmany Colon came in second at 106, losing a tight 1-0 decision to Chelmsford’s Patrick Hughes, and Travis Manick was runner-up at 195, dropping a fierce 3-2 battle against Billerica’s Henri Behaehei.

The only other local sectional champions were St. John’s Prep’s Zach Alexander of North Andover at 132 and Lawrence heavyweight Stanley Alberto.

CONTRASTING CHAMPS

Alexander, a junior, was dominant throughout the tournament, finishing with three pins, including a second-period fall in the finals against Methuen’s Travis Abdallah after holding a 9-1 lead. The No. 1 seed, he improved to 42-2 on the year.

Alexander was a sectional runner-up last year but he said he feels “a lot stronger this year” and is looking forward to the state meet.

Alberto, on the other hand, was the No. 2 seed and he was facing Billerica’s Ryan Higgins, who had beaten him in a dual meet.

Higgins, who wrestled 220 much of the season, got a quick takedown to take a 2-0 lead but Alberto rolled him over and put him on his back for a stunning first-minute pin, improving his record to 35-4.

“I wanted it and I want state next week,” said Alberto. “He was off balance and I went for it ... it feels good.”

TOUGH WEIGHT CLASS

In the toughest weight class of the day, defending New England champ Jake Ferri held off St. John’s Prep’s Ryan Garlitz, 9-8, in the finals. Ferri had defeated Lawrence standout Michael Hernandez 19-6 in the semifinals. Hernandez settled for third.

Methuen’s Nate Green held off Haverhill’s Steven Wise for third at 120, while Haverhill’s Jake Nicolosi (126), Rangers’ Bill Trainor (160) and Trevor Abdallah (170), Lawrence’s Hector Javier (220) and Andover’s Payton Heidtke (285), who beat Methuen’s Bryce Smith in his last match.

Although he wasn’t named Outstanding Wrestler (that went to Ferri), no one was more impressive than Chelmsford freshman Evan Goodall, who pinned all four of his opponents in the first period on his way to winning the 138-pound title.

Div. 1 North Sectional

Team scores: Chelmsford 200 1/2, Shawsheen 193, Methuen 189, Billerica 155 1/2, St. John’s Prep 155, Westford Academy 121 1/2, Lawrence 121, Lowell96 1/2, Haverhill 86 1/2, Acton-Boxboro 62, Peabody 34, Andover 29

Winners and local state qualifiers (top 4):

106:1. Patrick Hughes (Chel), 2. Jarmany Colon (Law); 113: 1. Jake Ferri (Shaw), 2. Ryan Garlitz (SJP), 3. Michael Hernandez (Law); 120: 1. Chris Derosa (Bill), 3. Nate Green (Meth), 3. Steven Wise (Hav); 126: 1. Malcolm Mitchell (SJP), 3. Jake Nicolosi (Hav); 132: 1. Zach Alexander (SJP), 2. Travis Abdallah (Meth), 4. Nick Tejada (Hav); 138: 1. Evan Goodall (Chel), 4. Matt Coyne (Hav); 145: 1. Patrick Hoey (Lowell), 4. Sam Prescott (Hav); 152: 1. Andrew Piedrahita (Westford), 4. Chris Bueno (Law); 160: 1. Cam Eldridge (Westford), 3. Bill Trainor (Meth); 170: 1. Joe Vecchione (Chel), 3. Trevor Abdallah (Meth); 182: 1. Darius Franklin (Meth); 195: 1. Henri Behaeghel (Bill), 2. Travis Manick (Meth); 220: 1. Omar Eldaly (Shaw); HVY: 1. Stanley Alberto (Law), 3. Payton Heidtke (And), 4. Bryce Smith (Meth)