ALLEGAN — For now at least, first-year Dowagiac varsity wrestling coach Matt Alward is going to have to watch his team take its lumps.

The Chieftains are short-handed and lack experience, so when you go up against the likes of Wolverine Conference perennial powerhouses like Allegan and South Haven, things don’t always look good on the scoreboard.

Wednesday night the Chieftains were swept by the host Tigers and Rams at the Allegan Quad. Dowagiac fell to the Tigers 74-6 as it gave up eight forfeits. The Chieftains were also defeated by South Haven 45-28, as the team gave up six forfeits.

“We are going to have voids throughout the season,” Alward said. “We have some kids that won’t be able to get down to weight until later in the year. Dan Crandall is out this week with an injury. So we are going to take our lumps this year. But I thought the effort was really good tonight. We need to get more experience on the mat and continue to work hard in practice on the fundamentals.”

In their opening match against Allegan, senior Anthony Nelson was the lone victor for the Chieftains as he pinned Jerry Duestenberg in 5:57.

The South Haven match had a few more Dowagiac wins as Ray Vega pinned Brien Taylor at 103-pounds in 1:12; Jacob Worthington pinned Drew Johnston at 119-pounds in 30 seconds; Ricky Roach pinned Alex Gleiss at 215-pounds in 11 seconds; and Stevie Baylock pinned Brady Smith at 285-pounds in 54 seconds.

Dowagiac will get to earn some of that valuable mat time on Saturday as it hosts the Chieftain Invitational at the Dowagiac Middle School. Wrestling is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m.

Results for Niles and Brandywine were unavailable at press time. Please check www.nilesstar.com for the latest on both teams.

Dowagiac…6

Allegan…74

103: Deven Robrohn (A) p. Ray Vega, 1:15

112: Andrew Betke (A) p. Jacob Worthington, 2:30

119: Austin Kelley (A) wins by forfeit

125: Kyle Simaz (A) t.f. Ryan Smith, 21-6

130: Mike Shaw (A) d. Ben Luth, 4-3

135: Ryan Pinnell wins by forfeit

140: Taylor Simaz (A) wins by forfeit

145: Drew Huff (A) wins by forfeit

152: Tyler Gorby (A) wins by forfeit

160: James Trow (A) wins by forfeit

171: Andrew Kelley (A) wins by forfeit

189: Chance Gorby (A) wins by forfeit

215: Anthony Nelson (D) p. Jerry Duesterberg, 5:57

285: Steve Blank (A) p. Stevie Baylock, 5:05

Dowagiac…28

South Haven…45

103: Ray Vega (D) p. Brien Taylor, 1:12

112: Double void

119: Jacob Worthington (D) p. Drew Johnston, :30

125: Anthony Duncan (SH) d. Ryan Smit, 15-12

130: Vince Hightower (SH) p. Matt Lyle, 2:58

135: Ben Luth (D) d. Zach Tate, 11-3

140: Willis Dotson (SH) wins by forfeit

145: Aaron Jackson (SH) wins by forfeit

152: Alex Gildon (SH) wins by forfeit

160: Drew Bieterman (SH) wins by forfeit

171: Shaq Bell (SH) wins by forfeit

189: Taylor Gohn (SH) wins by forfeit

215: Ricky Roach (D) p. Alex Gleiss, :11

285: Stevie Baylock (D) p. Brady Smith, :54