Ramblers could be Area 6-4A darkhorse
LaFayette High School head wrestling coach Joe Franks has made it his goal to build the proud Rambler program back to the championship level it once occupied as one of the top overall programs in the state - the way it was back when he was wrestling for the Orange-andBlack.
LaFayette took a few steps forward last year in terms of competitiveness and if the first tournament of the season is any indication, the Ramblers look to be on track for even bigger leaps forward this season.
“I don’t have big numbers, but the kids I do have are workers,” Franks said. “We’re going to be in shape and I think we’re really going to surprise some people this year.”
The Ramblers started out strong by going 4-1 at the Raider Rumble Duals at Southeast Whitfield this past Saturday, in which they finished second behind Area 6 foe Northwest. The Bruins beat the Ramblers, 4530, in their head-to-head match.
“Last year, (Northwest) beat us pretty bad,” Franks recalled. “To stay within 15 of them, and us giving up forfeits at 106 and 113, I’ll take that for sure.”
Not only is Franks slowly starting to build up his numbers, he’s put together a top-notch coaching staff and is working with LaFayette Middle School to build up the overall program.
“We got some kids out this year that we couldn’t talk into (wrestling) last year and they are already helping us out,” he continued. “We have a great coaching staff. A couple of them can’t be here every day (due to work), but Coach (Shawn) Turner is here every day and has them in the weight room, getting in shape, and (Matthew) Stanfield has them all working hard in the wrestling room.”
Stanfield, who prepped at Sonoraville and later at LaFayette, was a two-time Georgia state champion who went on to earn a No. 8 national ranking at Cumberland University. He is working with both the high school and middle school wrestlers, while two more former Rambler standouts, Derek Murdock and Caleb Hartshorn, are back for their second year as volunteer assistants.
David Johnson is in charge of the middle school program, while Chris Davis is serving as an assistant.
LaFayette has just one lone senior on this year’s roster, Cole Ingram, who was the Ramblers’ only state qualifier a year ago. Ingram finished with a 36-9 record, won area and sectional titles and took second at the state tournament at 160 pounds.
Ingram said he is using last year’s runnerup finish as motivation to get back to the finals and finish the job.
“I’ve been working all summer with Derek up at 3Notch Crossfit just to get better all
the way around and Matthew has helped me out quite a bit too,” he said. “I really have high hopes this year.”
He also fills a major role this year as the team’s leader.
“I’m finding it a whole lot easier to be a leader this year because I’ve got a lot of great followers,” he added. “The (other wrestlers) are really leading themselves and there’s not much I have to do, other than keep them in check every once in a while. Everyone is pretty much on the same page.”
“(Cole) is a real competitor and he doesn’t want to finish
second to anyone,” Franks explained. “I told them he was going to have to one-up me, since I never won an individual (state title). He’s really stepped up this year and he’s setting an example for the younger kids. His success last year has brought a few more kids out and he’s just great to have around.”
Behind Ingram are juniors Cameron Hollingsworth, Tyler Beard, Cody Deal and Devin Duncan, while the rest of the roster is loaded with talented sophomores and freshmen.
The remainder of the underclassmen include Austin Rodgers, Drake Bing, Damian Brown, Tyler Massingill, James Muder, Jake Price, Sam
Storey, Dustin Autrey, Brady Beard, Chase Keith, Zach Price, Kyle Ludy, Ethan Johnson, Landon Rayburn, Ben Ratliff and Matthew Wallin.
But Franks will need more than Ingram to step up this year if the Ramblers are to find a way to get into the State Duals. As usual, the area is loaded, despite having just seven teams. Heritage, Gilmer and Northwest look to be among the favorites, while LaFayette, Ridgeland, Southeast and Pickens all look to be much improved.
“It’s a very difficult area to be in,” Franks said. “Getting fifth place (in a weight class) in our area is a really tough spot. Those kids end up going to state
as alternates and they have to watch kids from other areas wrestle (at state) that aren’t anywhere as good as they are. Sometimes it’s hard to keep kids encouraged because of it, but I think it’s better to be from the tougher area, though, if you really want to be competitive.”
Franks added that with more hard work, and a few more wrestlers in the room, he can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
“We just have to keep the kids motivated and get our numbers up a little more,” he said. “If these guys will just keep working hard and if I can get a few more kids out (to wrestle), it’s just a few years away.”