Rockdale County High School - Tempus Fugit Yearbook (Conyers, GA)

Page 188 text:

The Newnan Cougars came strolling into the Rockdale gym next and probably wished they had gone back out iust as quickly. By the time our Dogs had gotten through dismantling them, the city of New- nan was probably ready to declare their grapplers a disaster area. Bob Johns, David Cole, Antonio Thornton, and Tony McDonald each contributed 6 points in pins to the 60-3 final score in a match that saw the Rockdale wrestlers do everything imaginable to the lowly Newnan team. Woodward Academy was the next oppo- nent for the Dogs. They saw fit to treat Tucker and Wheeler provided the next opposition as they came into the Rockdale gym on successive nights. The Dogs first whipped Wheeler 50-8 on pins by Quinton English, Ricky Webb, and Antonio Thorn- ton as the Dogs rolled up their second highest point total of the season. Tucker was not such an easy opponent, however, the Dogs rolled over them 43-23 as they closed out their dual meet season unde- feated and ranked second in the state. Though it seems that up to this point the RCHS B-Team has been neglected, it is true. However it is time for them to have their say. This group of outstanding young men did an exceptional iob in representing Rockdale. Though their record was marred by a single defeat, they came through to smash teams such as Marist, Newnan and Towers. They did an excellent iob pushing varsity wrestlers for their weight class and occasionally overcoming them to step out into the spotlight. The B-Team season was highlighted by the demoralizing crushing 184 Wrestling them no differently from any other oppo- nent as the final score showed Rockdale 41-18. Pins were turned in by Chip Meyer, Antonio Thornton, and Tony McDonald. The Dogs next visited Towers, and the thought of having never beaten the Titans on their home mat made this a crucial match in the minds of the Rockdale Wres- tlers. The Dogs opened up a 35-'l2 lead on pins by Quinton English, Robert Thorn- ton, Ricky Webb, and Antonio Thornton. Late inthe match the Titans put on a charge but fell short as the Dogs pulled out a 35- 32 win. they handed to Heritage.

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LaGrange was the next foe in a line of sit- ting ducks as the Grangers' imagination of fear quickly rose into a reality of terror. The Dogs repeatedly harassed, humiliated, and annihilated Granger wrestlers on their way to a 66-16 smashing of LaGrange which featured ll pins by Rockdale wres- tlers. By this time the Rockdale supporters knew they had a winner in their wrestling team, however, there were still questions to be answered in matches to come. The next opponent on the verge of frustration was the Jonesboro Cardinals. The Dogs contin- ued to run rampart over people as they overwhelmed the Cardinals in this match 49-18, on only one pin by Tony McDonald in the first period of his match. The Dogs next hosted Clarkston in the Rockdale gym as our winning streak kept rolling right along. Pins were collected by Quinton English, Ricky Webb and Antonio Thornton as the Dogs amassed 45 points to Clarkston's 20. The Dogs traveled to Avondale in their first away match of the season. Not being the home team didn't seem to phase us as we walked away from the Blue Devils 44-29. 'tii ssss Scott Dennis, Chip Meyer, Dan Alford, Ricky Webb, and Antonio Thornton caught their opponents with their backs against the mat as the Dogs won the most crucial match thus far in the 5-0 season. If it were excitement you were looking for, you got it this Friday night as the Dogs took on Marist, the defending class AA champions of 1976. The match was close from the beginning, and at one time the scoreboard read I5-12, Rockdale. Amid intense matches and fiery crowds the Dogs emerged with a 39-I8 victory, which was an emotional and critical win as the Dogs shot into state prominence. Pins were scored by Scott Dennis, Ricky Webb, Anto- nio Thornton, Jeff Baldwin, and Phillip Sheppard. Wrestling 183

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It is quite unfortunate that dual meet records have no effect on a team's final standings. There are tournaments to be won and individual goals to be achieved. Thus, it is time for the Area and State tour- naments to commence. The Area tourna- ment was hosted by Towers High School and Rockdale County was to battle not only other teams but also partisan crowds mostly from DeKalb County. The Dogs gave maximum effort continuously and fin- ished 3rd overall in the tournament. There were 9 wrestlers to place, and they went to state like this: 'lst - Scott Dennis, Chip Meyer, Quinton English and Robert Thorn- ton, 2nd - Bob Johns, 3rd - Ricky Webb and Tony McDonald, 4th -- David Cole and Antonio Thornton. The whole season had boiled down to the big one now, the State AAA Tournament in Mar- ietta. Again the Dogs were underdogs and had to overcome the pressure put on them by overwhelmingly partisan fans. The Dogs found themselves struggling after the first night but managed to pull through and take 5th place. The Dogs were led by 2nds from Bob Johns, Robert Thorntom, and Robert Webb, 3rds were collected by Quinton English and Chip Meyer. The fol- lowing week the Dogs were voted North Metro AAA Team of the year by coaches around the area. Wrestling 185