North Forsyth watched as an eight-point lead turned to a ten-point deficit in the span of three matches — pin, pin, pin. The frustration was palpable on the Raiders’ bench, so much so that a set of headgear tossed to the floor in anger made North wrestling coach Travis Jarrard pull his team aside.

Jarrard delivered his message (and a threat to run until the sun comes up) to wide, unblinking eyes, and he needed say no more.

Connor Carroll won a 5-2 decision at 152 pounds, Tanner Buggs scored a first-round fall at 160, and Steven Loyd earned a 4-2 win at 170 to retake the lead. Keigan Radake then won 6-4 at 182 and, in perhaps the most entertaining match of the day, Harrison Papineau survived a 4-2 decision to close out West, 38-30.

North’s comeback win over West was the catalyst for North to win its fifth consecutive Forsyth County wrestling championship, matching the best mark in school history (2001-05).

“This was our first gut-check time during the regular season, just because emotions run so high here,” Jarrard said. “Our first goal every year is to win in our back yard. These are the people we see in the community, the people we live around. We enjoy having that target on our back.”

Jarrard said West took advantage of some of North’s youth through the middle weights (North lost at 132, 138 and 145). The Raiders needed a spark. They got it from Tanner Buggs, who wrestled in his first match of the season and marked his return from a torn meniscus with a quick pin.

“It took a Willis Reed moment, bringing Tanner in,” Jarrard said. “The pop from the crowd when they saw him was something else. It fired up our kids, and our seniors — Keigan, Papineau — came to play.”

Jake Nash (126 pounds), Loyd, and Zach Smith (220) were the individual county champions for North.

North beat South in the first round of matches, 43-22, and handled Central easily, 46-24. The Raiders closed out their county title with a win over short-handed Lambert.

Kevin Contardi’s Longhorns were missing numerous wrestlers because of injury and illness, including Robbie Powell. Matthew Sheetz had his usual strong day at 120 pounds.

North’s win also helps the Raiders in seeding criteria for the region tournament, given that Lambert, South and West compete in Region 6-AAAAAA.

Individual County Champions

106 pounds - Payton Mitchell, Lambert

113 - Eric Diemert, Lambert

120 - Matthew Sheetz, Lambert

126 - Jacob Nash, North

132 - Jacob Miller, West

138 - Denver Stonecheck, West

145 - Thomas Cooper, West

152 - Felipe Hayes, South

160 - Caleb Troutt, Central

170 - Steven Loyd, North

182 - Carson Pillow, Central

195 - Harrison Young, South

220 - Zachary Smith, North

285 - Hunter Jolly, West