Tough slate
Anderson County wrestling readies for Region 2-A
Anderson County heavyweight Slade Alley, left, made his return to the mat Thursday night against Clinton’s Jonah Hoskins. Sidelined by injury midway through the 2024-25 season, Alley went the distance with Hoskins before securing the pin in the closing seconds of the match. (photo:Tony Cox )
While ACHS athletes have claimed big individual wins and tournament titles throughout the 2025-26 season, dual meets have been a challenge as the team has battled adversity, including illness and injuries.
The Mavericks’ stay at the Region 2-A duals was brief Thursday night as they fell to Pigeon Forge 58-13, with injuries taking their toll.
“The region was single elimination, and we wrestled Pigeon Forge, and it was kind of tough,” Anderson County Coach Matt Slone said. “We told our kids that we’re more of a tournament team than we are a dual team.
“We have some good guys, and we have a handful of kids that we feel like can finish on the podium at the state tournament. We struggle in duals because of some of the gaps that we have, but we have a lot of quality guys.”
Against the Tigers, Zed Hulet notched a pin at 138 pounds. Aiden Reed also earned a pin at 113. The Mavericks picked up decision victories from Hayden Harrell (144) and Max Wolfley (150).
Two nights earlier, the district duals were held at Scott High School. The host Highlanders won the championship with a 42-35 win over the Mavericks, pulling off the feat in just their third year as a program.
“They’ve done a good job over there,” Slone said.
Against Scott, Britton Tackett (106) won by forfeit. Reed, Hulet, Harrell, Wolfley and Deameion Leavell (175) all won via pin.
The Mavericks reached the district finals by defeating crosstown rival Clinton 48-30 in the semifinals.
That match marked the return of heavyweight Slade Alley, who was sidelined midway through the 2024-25 season with an injury. He returned for football in the fall and recently rejoined the wrestling lineup.
He made an immediate impact, coming from behind to pin Clinton’s Jonah Hoskins — who moved up from 215 pounds to face Alley.
“We just got Slade out before the district duals, and that was actually his first time wrestling this year,” Slone said. “He came back and got that pin. That kid from Clinton is someone they feel really good about. He’s good, and they moved him up.”
Against the Dragons, Presson (165) and Tackett both won by forfeit. Reed, Hulet, Harrell, Wolfley and Leavell all won by fall.
The Mavericks will now take a break from competition before returning to action at the Region 2-A individual tournament on Feb. 7 at Gibbs High School in Corryton.
“We’re not going to have anything until regionals,” Slone said. “We’re going to concentrate on practicing and getting healthy.”
