The Carrollton High School wrestling team was tied at 12-all with its crosstown rival during the early goings of a dual match on Tuesday night at Central, but the Trojans ultimately pulled away in the end for the 58-12 victory over the undermanned Lions.

Central coach Chris Mitchem was forced to forfeit three weight classes and had a pair of wrestlers stricken with the flu Tuesday morning, making it hard to compete in the dual format.

“I’m just proud because they kept on trying,” Mitchem said. “I knew we weren’t going to have a great day (Tuesday) because we had so many forfeits.”

Trojan coach Mike Mason was also pleased with his team’s effort, but noted that there’s still plenty of room for improvement.

“There’s plenty of more work to do on the season. We’re not satisfied,” Mason said. “So we’re just going to keep working and keep getting better and see where it goes from there.”

One thing that stood out to Mason was that in the three losses his team suffered, only one was by pin. He said avoiding the pins will be crucial in dual meets down the road.

“In the big dual matches, you know, to qualify for the state duals, it’s good that these guys are not giving up the pins. If we’ve got to lose, only by decision. So that’s a big improvement,” Mason said.

Carrollton winners on the night included Christian Tompkins (103 lbs.; pin), Alfredo Rocha (119 lbs.; decision), Levi Ward (125 lbs.; pin), Mason Mitcham (130 lbs.; pin), Jim Harris (135 lbs.; decision), Duffey Dortch (140 lbs.; forfeit), Dre McGlocton (145 lbs.; forfeit), Jared Senfeld (152 lbs.; decision), Ben Rothschadl (160 lbs.; pin), Travis Joyce (171 lbs.; forfeit) and Axel Quintanar (285 lbs.; pin).

Collecting victories for the Lions were Jay Dillard (112 lbs; pin), Zach Simpkins (189 lbs.; decision in OT) and Burton Thomas (215 lbs; decision).

Mitchem said Simpkins “wrestled very tough” in his victory, while Thomas and Dillard continue to lead the way in their respective weight classes.

The Lion coach also thought Bobby Morris should have won at 152 pounds, as Morris was up 8-7 before a Senfeld takedown just before the third-period buzzer swung the match in the Trojans’ favor.

“And not saying that match would have won it for us. I mean, we were still down by a lot of points, but that match would have helped out a lot. Especially for his confidence,” Mitchem said of his senior wrestler.

Mitchem was also high on the effort from freshman Jarrett Thomas, who lost by decision to Rocha, one of the Trojans’ top grapplers.

Both teams will be back in action this weekend at the West Georgia Invitational, which will take place on Friday and Saturday at the Carroll County Recreation Department.

Both Mason and Mitchem thought Kell High School, a Class AAAAA school out of Marietta, will bring the toughest competition.

“That’s really good. That just made the tournament a lot better. They’re a tough Class AAAAA team,” Mason said. “I’ve competed against them when I was at McEachern. I know them. They’ve got a good coach. I know him pretty well. So they’ll bring a pretty good squad. I’m excited about those guys coming. It’ll be nice to see them.”

Mitchem said his ideal finish would be in the top four this weekend as the tournament host.

“I hope so. If we get our kids back. Right now I’m just trying to get everybody wrestling. I’m trying to get all my weight classes filled. That’s going to help me out a lot,” Mitchem said. “The only good thing about individual tournaments, if I get four or five guys that place high, we can win as a team. In these dual tournaments, you really have to have all the weight classes filled, especially if you go against a team that has all its weight classes filled.”