49 and 10 - InterMat's top 10 Seniors in the 49 wrestling states - by Lee Roper

Compiled is a list of the top 10 seniors in GA this year going into the 2009-2010 season. The feild was pretty deep and the top 10 could have esily been the top 20.

1. Joel Smith
School: Collins Hill High School
09-10 Projected High School Weight Class: 145
Projected College Weight Class: 141/149

Scouting Report: Smith really began to establish himself as Georgia’s top recruit during his impressive run through Collins Hills’ 08-09 campaign. Smith placed 2nd at the Toshiba Midwest Classic (his only loss of the year) and torched the competition at The Clash, making the All-Tournament Team. After running through all comers in Georgia’s 5A classification Joel finished his season with an impressive 7th place finish at NHSCA JR Nationals.

2. TJ Mitchell
School: Collins Hill High School
09-10 Projected High School Weight Class: 125
Projected College Weight Class: 125/133

Scouting Report: I once heard a great wrestler say, “God blessed me as a winner”, and I’m not sure that any quote could fit TJ Mitchell any better. This guy is at his best when the lights come on and he finds himself in a big match. He’s not flashy but as I mentioned earlier the kid just wins, and wins a lot. He’s one of the most decorated youth wrestlers in GA’s history and has continued his success with 2 state championships in high school and multiple All-American finishes. If he finds a way to move his match intensity into the practice room, he’d easily move up to #1.

 3. Acton Pifer
School: Lassiter High School
09-10 Projected High School Weight Class: 130
Projected College Weight Class: 133/141

 Scouting Report: I’m sure that if I compiled this list 4 years ago Acton Pifer would not be found anywhere near the top. The fact that you find him here is a testament to this wrestlers two best attributes. The first being his tremendous work ethic. Acton will out work 99% the room day in and day out. The second being he is an incredibly smart wrestler. When you put those two qualities in one person, it’s a recipe for dramatic improvement. The amazing thing about Acton is that he doesn’t show any sign of stopping. He has a very impressive goal list, and I only expect to see great things from him in the future.

4. Joe Denova
School: Harris County High School
09-10 Projected High School Weight Class: 135
Projected College Weight Class: 133/141

Scouting Report: It’s hard not to like Mr. Denova. You never hear him complain, he’s always ready to work, and he brings home All-American certificates like it’s his job. In his two most recent trips out to Fargo, Denova has come home with 3 All-American honors. This South Georgia resident doesn’t lack collegiate wrestling skills either. He has multiple state championships metals hanging with those AA certificates, and is hoping to bring home GA’s first Super 32 belt.

5. Derrick Laney
School: Lakeview-Ft. Oglethorpe
09-10 Projected High School Weight Class: 215
Projected College Weight Class: 197

Scouting Report: Derrick Laney’s State Tournament ticker tape reads: 1st Match – Fall 0:39, 2nd Match – TF 17-2, 3rd Match - Fall 0:35, Finals Match – Fall 0:52. He shows that much dominance and I had to live with some criticism for ranking Derrick so high last year. Luckily for me, he decided to show he was one of the premier big men in the Southeast by placing higher than any other GA wrestler at NHSCA Juniors (5th). For lack of a better description Derrick is bigger, faster, and stronger than just about anyone that steps on the mat with him. The two time state champion is so powerful that less than 10% of his matches have gone the distance, and I would be willing to wager a months salary (as small as that is with our furlough days) that he’s not going to let up on that percentage anytime soon.

6. Ethan Blackstock
School: Alexander High School
09-10 Projected High School Weight Class: 189
Projected College Weight Class: 174/184

Scouting Report: If you like physical wrestling this is your guy. Ethan clubs, bangs, and smashes his way through all comers and has racked up two state championships doing it. He’s no slouch leaving the Georgia borders behind either. This 4x Fargo All-American is an absolute monster in the Olympic styles. His explosive style has turned him into a crowd favorite no matter where he wrestles. Ethan’s natural gifts are not wasted on someone lacking work ethic. He might be the biggest “mat rat” in Georgia and is constantly looking to better himself no matter the season. If there was a way to track the hours our athletes spent on the mat I would bet the name Ethan Blackstock would show up somewhere near the top.

7. Brian St. James
School: Centennial High School
09-10 Projected High School Weight Class: 119
Projected College Weight Class: 125

Scouting Report: BSJ, as he’s referred to in GA is what I like to refer to as a sleeper. He’s not going to impress you with lots of flashy motion or by piling up double digit point totals every match. Due to this “grind it out” mentality it’s easy to overlook Brian when compiling a list such as this. But that’s exactly what this Centennial wrestler wants you to do. BSJ has made a career of staying out of the limelight and doing what he does best; win wrestling matches. His most impressive display of this attitude came from his team’s annual trip up to Spencerport, NY. Brian was in a brutal 112 bracket where, just as always, people counted him out. At the end of the day, there was BSJ smiling as the top of the podium leaving everyone wondering, “How does that guy do it?”

8. Stephen Spadlin

School: Camden County High School
09-10 Projected High School Weight Class: 119
Projected College Weight Class: 125

Scouting Report: The Spradlin family is synonymous with South Georgia wrestling, and Stephen definitely fits the billing. He’s a hard wrestler to forget due to his fast pace style and crazy curly locks. But no matter if its wrestling or hair style that leaves the impression, you won’t be disappointed by catching one of his matches. Stephen could quite possibly be the most physically imposing light weight in GA. He has remarkably heavy hands for his lanky build and uses them extremely well to wear down opponents. His possible match up with the afore mentioned St. James is one of the most anticipated matchups of the year.

9. Kevin Ulmer
School: Parkview High School
09-10 Projected High School Weight Class: 119/125
Projected College Weight Class: 125/133

Scouting Report: Ulmer is as hard a worker as anyone else in the state. He has a hunger to improve himself each practice and that hunger is evident when he steps on the mat to compete. His goal is to be the hardest worker in the state and believes winning will be a byproduct of that goal. He has some tough challenges ahead of him this year moving up a classification, but preparing for that jump will not be a problem for Kevin. Rest assured when he steps onto the mat come February he will have put in the time to be successful at that level, and when the time comes to transition his work ethic over to a college room he handle tackle that obstacle with the same ferocity as he does all others.

10. Matt Schneider
School: Milton High School
09-10 Projected High School Weight Class: 145
Projected College Weight Class: 141

Scouting Report: Mr. Schneider’s only loss last season came to the number 1 wrestler on this list in the state finals. That’s not a bad season for the final entry. Matt is another one of those guys that is easy to forget about due to his quiet demeanor, but he’s all business when he steps on the mat. Matt separates himself from his competition due to his prowess on top. He’s extremely comfortable in his crab ride and has begun to really rack up the points from that position. If he notches a few more big wins in his belt, don’t be surprised to see his name rising up some coaches recruiting list.