Greene Central matmen win two of three matches

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on November 24, 2004 1:56 PM

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SNOW HILL -- "Lift his head, Marquis!"

Greene Central wrestling coach Daniel Miner shouted those instructions to his 215-pounder, Marquis Eanes, who surprisingly turned South Central's Mike Griffin on his back late in the first period Tuesday evening.

Miner knelt on the sidelines and crooked his left arm under his right, showing Eanes how to lift Griffin's head and force his shoulders to the mat. Eanes sat back and tried to execute Miner's order, but the stronger Griffin blocked the move.

The seconds slowly ticked away before the referee blew the whistle, signalling the end of the opening period. Griffin shook his head and sighed in relief as the two wrestlers headed back to center circle.

Neither gained a significant advantage in the second period, but Eanes nearly lost the match on technical violations. Trailing 11-10, Eanes started the third period from the bottom position and Griffin quickly turned him on his back.

A few seconds later, the referee slapped the mat as Griffin secured the pin in 4 minutes, 17 seconds. The come-from-behind victory helped unbeaten South Central rally from a 24-point deficit and prevail 42-36 in a four-team meet in the Rams' gym.

"Marquis was a little tired and intimidated by the size of the other guy, who was very strong," Miner said. "Strength and intimidation -- that won out because our guy just ran out of gas there at the end."

The Falcons (4-0) capped the comeback when David Allen pinned the Rams' Justin Wellington in the first period. Also claiming wins during the decisive 30-0 run were Calvin Daniels (152 pounds), David Harris (160), Cody Covil (171) and Chris Rouse (189).

Rouse performed a five-point move in the final half-minute against Greene Central sophomore Darrin Gohrman. Gohrman held a 9-6 lead before Rouse got a reversal and five-second nearfall (three points) to win 11-6.

"He's a first-year wrestler ... football player who has been to five practices," Miner said. "They are not used to wrestling, keeping your elbows in and arms under (when