By By SCOTT NOVAK / Niles Daily Star
DOWAGIAC – The toss of a coin and an inspired effort by visiting Buchanan led the Bucks to a 37-30 non-conference victory over Dowagiac Wednesday night.
Buchanan (5-2) won the coin toss and were able to force Dowagiac's hand at the night's starting weight – 171.
The Chieftains had to put their wrestler out first, which allowed the Bucks to keep Auston Ferris away from DeShaun Baylock.
Dowagiac sent out Michael McNeil at 171-pounds against Ferris, who pinned McNeil in 1:17.
The Chieftains appeared to be headed toward a victory at 189-pounds, but a late rally by Davis Ferris tied up the bout at 7-7 in the closing seconds and he then defeated Andrew Hurrle in overtime 9-7 to increase the Bucks' lead to 9-0.
Dowagiac's Drew Staley edged Mike Connors 11-6 at 215-pounds to cut the Buchanan lead to 9-3.
A victory by Robert Riggs at 275-pounds over Robert Wescott (4-3) gave the Bucks a nine-point advantage once again, 12-3.
The lead grew to 18-3 as Tyler Glavin picked up a pin at 103-pounds for Buchanan.
Dowagiac freshman Tyler Frese started a Chieftain rally with a 40 second pin of Tanner Phillips at 112-pounds.
The Bucks forfeited to Ben Luth at 119-pounds as the Chieftains closed the gap to 18-15.
Dowagiac (5-1) then grapped its only lead of the night when Josh Lemon pinned Justin Fuller in 1:54 at 125-pounds.
Buchanan tied the match at 21-21 as D.J. Hurd edged Justin Richter, 5-3.
The Bucks then reclaimed the lead with a pin by Drew Medlin of John Morseau in 3:24 at 135-pounds.
With the match hanging in the balance, Adam Byrdak scored a major decision over D.J. Tartt at 140-pounds, 13-4.
Buchanan's 31-21 lead was insurmountable for the Chieftains, who were giving up a forfeit at 152-pounds.
Even if Dowagiac had scored pins at 145- and 160-pounds, the Chieftains would have come up four points short.
Dowagiac's Nate Long decisioned Jamie Barbeiter 9-4 at 145-pounds, while Baylock received a forfeit at 160-pounds.
In between, Tony Taylor picked up a forfeit for the Bucks at 152-pounds.
In junior varsity action, Dowagiac got wins from Adrew Roden, Bobby Price, Ricky Roach and Sinjin Ownby.
The Bucks picked up wins from Scott Warner and Matt Green.
"We're big rivals with these guys," veteran Buchanan coach Frank Mucha said. "The kids get up for them We were much more intense. There were a lot of matches that could have gone either way. But the kids wrestled well."
Dowagiac coach John Green was hoping for more from his wrestlers Wednesday night, but the Chieftains looked flat at times.
"It was not our best night," he said. "I think maybe we had too much adrenalin going into the match. I saw fatigue tonight that I didn't see in five duals that we wrestled Saturday. But give Buchanan credit, They had a plan and they wrestled well."
Buchanan…37
Dowagiac…30
103: Tyler Glavin (B) p. Joe Rodriquez, :46
112: Tyler Frese (D) p. Tanner Phillips, :40
119: Ben Luth (D) wins by forfeit
125: Josh Lemon (D) p. Justin Fuller, 1:54
130: D.J. Hurd (B) d. Justin Richter, 5-3
135: Drew Medlin (D) p. John Morseau, 3:24
140: Adam Byrdak (B) d. D.J. Tartt, 13-4
145: Nate Long (D) d. Jaime Marbeiter, 9-4
152: Tony Taylor (B) wins by forfeit
160: DeShaun Baylock (D) wins by forfeit
171: Auston Ferris (B) p. Michael McNeil, 1:17
189: David Ferris (B) d. Andrew Hurrle, 9-7 OT
215: Drew Staley (D) d. Mike Connors, 11-6
275: Robert Riggs (B) d. Robert Wescott, 4-3