Liberty fell behind in the first four matches came up short of its first team state title in school history in a 48-22 loss to two-time defending state champion Bamberg-Ehrhardt Saturday in the Class 2A/A wrestling dual final at Dreher High in Columbia.

The Red Devils (24-10), which came into the match ranked second in the classification, were on a whirlwind ride after winning their first Region 1-2A title in the program's 24-year existence three weeks ago. Last week, they ran through Ware Shoals, Pendleton and Crescent for their first Upper State crown.

No. 1 B-E (36-3) was just too much. Billy Williams (220 pounds), Malcolm Jones (120), Lan Hiers (126), Damion Johnson (132) and Player Long (160) scored pins for the Red Raiders, who beat Marion, Battery Creek and Aynor last weekend en route to its seventh consecutive Lower State title at Edisto High. Led by first-year coach Jake Stewart, the Red Raiders are the first team to win back-to-back titles in different classifications, having moved up from A to 2A this year.

Trailing 15-3, Liberty's Nick Weidman (106) grinded out a decision and Tristan Oglesby (113) won by pin, cutting the deficit to three points. Jones and Hiers came up with pins to halt the Red Devils' momentum.

Dakota Stewart won by pin at pounds and Garrett Whitmire earned a major decision for Liberty before B-E won the last three matches.

Originally posted here:

Liberty grapplers fall short of first state title