Class AAAA: Loganville brings home first state title

By Brandon Brigman
GNWA Correspondent

Loganville has had four head coaches in four years, but it looks like the Red Devils finally have their man.
In his first season as the Red Devils' head coach, Pat McCance led Loganville to the Class AAAA dual state championship on Saturday at the Macon Centreplex.
"It's been like a blur. This season has just gone by so fast," McCance said. "The kids have done a heck of a job responding (to the coaching changes). They are just a great group."
Loganville needed a little excitement to win its first state title. Will Hale's decision in the final match at 103 pounds gave Loganville the 33-28 win over Alexander.
"He's been our anchor of the team as far as being consistent," McCance said.
Alexander held a 12-0 lead to start the dual before Loganville got wins from Aaron Quade (major decision), Zack Wolaver (pin), Matt Cragin (major decision) and Jeremiah Vaught (decision).
The dual went back-and-fourth in the final seven matches with both teams bumping wrestlers in the lineup.
"We knew it would be a tough dual," McCance said. "We knew they would bump some weights and we would bumps some weights, but we felt like if we could keep it within two points we would have a shot."
Loganville led 30-22 after John Smith came up with a big win at 215 pounds. An Alexander pin at 285 made it come down to the final match for the win.
"If we could stay close, we felt confidnent (Hale) could us a decision," McCance said.
And the sophomore delivered with a 4-1 victory to lock up the state title.
"I did not think we were the favorite (coming in the tournament), but I thought there was four or five teams in it that would make it a dog fight," McCance said. "It was a very strong field going into the tournament."
Jon Williams (major decision) and Justin Fancher (pin) also had wins for Loganville.
The state title was not only the first for Lognaville, but the first for McCance as a head coach. Prior to coming to Loganville last year where he was an assistant, McCance spent 15 years as an assistant at McEachern. He helped the Indians to eight state titles at the Cobb County school. This was McCance's first state title as a head coach, giving him nine for his career. Now he just needs another ring for his last finger.
"That's a goal for the future," he said with a laugh.