Thursday's Recap and More

   There were a couple of intriguing matchups last night. Bedford put itself in control of the Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference with a 41-24 win at Somerset. Daniel Brett began things with a big pin for the Bisons, while they ended up with eight victories.
   I was at Everett as the Warriors held a lead on Moshannon Valley most of the night before dropping the last bout by fall to come up just short, 31-29. There were certainly some chances for Everett to get more bonus points or one extra bout win to defeat the Black Knights, but I continue to be impressed by the upward progress of Everett's program under Robbie Ripple and his collection of assistants that includes a number of Bedford standouts — his son Tanner, Josh Krupa, and most recently Ryan Easter.
  The victory of the match for the Warriors belonged to Ben Stover at 152 pounds. Stover, a regional qualifier last season, trailed Mo Valley's Jon Dale 2-0 into the third period before getting a locked hands point, but he then gave up a two-count nearfall. However, Stover rallied for a reversal and three back points and another penalty tally to win, 7-4. Dale is a touted freshman who was rated No. 49 in PA Power Wrestling's Incoming Freshman review.
   In the other match involving one of my locals, Tussey Mountain dropped a 69-10 result to Central.
   Central has a good bit returning this year, although the loss of Braeden Swab is a blow to the Scarlet Dragon lineup. Though I would say Huntingdon is the favorite in District 6-AA, Central is likely to be in the mix for the title along with some others. I should be seeing the Dragons early next week.
   Of course tonight is the annual showdown between rivals Bedford and Chestnut Ridge. It's actually my first chance to see either team in person yet, as my plans to see the Bisons at Penn Cambria didn't materialize. I'm looking forward to seeing this one, though I'm not sure how close the final score will be. Bedford has a couple of kids back that didn't wrestle last season and has added some other youngsters to its lineup, while Chestnut Ridge has a strong lower to middle weight nucleus back, though how the upperweights fill in around Conner Buttry will be a key as to how far the Lions can go this year.