After Winning Battle of the Heavyweights, Raiders Edge Bison 36-32

CLEARFIELD — In a match that started the traditional way, at the lightest weight, it was the heavy weights that decided it as the Clearfield Bison versus the Brookville Raider dual meet came down to the final match before a winner could be decided.

Unfortunately for the host Bison, it was the AA second ranked wrestler in the state, Nathan Taylor, besting the AAA fifth ranked wrestler, Oliver Billotte by a 6-2 count to secure the Raider win 36-32.

The match started with sophomore Evan Davis (4-1) getting the Bison out to a 4-0 lead with a 15-2 major decision over Brookville’s Jared Popson.

The Bison then forfeited the next three weight classes, while receiving one forfeit in return the give the visitors an 18-10 lead.

At 138 Justin Hand (2-3), fighting off the bottom position, reached up for a head and managed to pick up a fall at the 2:53 mark to bring the Bison within two at 18-16.

Another forfeit, this one to freshman Will Domico (3-2) at 145 put the Bison up 22-18.

Junior Karson Kline remained undefeated at 5-0 with his 12-3 major decision over Coyha Brown at 152, giving the Bison their biggest lead at 26-18.

Brookville countered with a fall and another forfeit at 160 and 172 to take their second lead of the match at 30-26.

Bison junior 189 pounder Mark McGonigal (4-1) put the hosts back in front once again, 32-30, with his first period fall over Ganen Cyphert.

An injured Nick Domico (2-1) gutted out a 10-5 loss to Bryce Rafferty at 215 setting the stage for the heavyweight tussle.

Clearfield’s Billotte (4-1), who placed eighth at the PIAA State Championships last year at 285, scored the opening takedown on Raider Nathan Taylor, who placed fourth at the PIAA Stae Championships at 220. From there, Taylor scored the next six points on two escapes and two takedowns to win the match 6-2.

Next up for the Bison (3-2) will be a Friday night match-up in the Arthur J. Weiss Gymnasium against the visiting Punxsutawney Chucks (2-0).