Wrestling season is underway at Dawson County High School.

Head coach Arron Haynes' grapplers opened the regular season with a win over Fannin County High School, 60-15, and a loss to AAAA Flowery Branch, 51-28, on Nov. 22 in Dawsonville.

"I would have to say that my boys wrestled hard last week and didn't have any quit in them," Haynes said. "We lost to a very good Class AAAA team in Flowery Branch and if a couple of matches turn out differently, which easily could have, then we could have beaten them."

Haynes said that Fannin County proved to be a tough opponent.

"Fannin was a tough, physical team as always and we're fortunate to have our weights match up well with them. A win against Fannin is always a good win since they are also in [our region] with us," he said.

Haynes said that several of his wrestlers showed their athleticism.

"I thought Josh Gee versus Fannin, even though he lost, he wrestled up a weight class to heavy weight and not only didn't give up a pin, but didn't give up bonus points either. His match was big for us early on against the Rebels.

"Travis Dawson was also key for us getting a pin and a tech fall for the night. He was very physical and took charge of both matches," Haynes said.

Picking up wins by way of forfeit for Dawson County against Fannin were: James Evans (126 pounds), Cory Jenkins (132 pounds), Levi Pressley (145 pounds), Preston Adams (160 pounds), Cole Smith (170 pounds), Evan Kells (182 pounds) and Keaton Toal (195 pounds).

Winning by way of a decision were Anthony Underwood, 4-3, over Keaton Seabolt in the 113 pound weight class.

Justin Evans (106 pounds) won by way of a forfeit for the Tigers.

In a very competitive match with Flowery Branch, Levi Pressley won his second match of the event with a pin over Caleb Aman at 145 pounds. Preston Adams also pinned his opponent at 160 pounds.

Evan Kells (182 pounds) and Keaton Toal (195 pounds) also picked up much needed points by way of pin.

Before the match, seniors Preston Adams and James Evans, were named team captains for the season as voted on by the wrestlers and coaching staff.

Haynes has 30 wrestlers listed on the team's roster for the season.

Preston Adams, Travis Dawson, James Evans, Josh Gee, Jonathan Mulberry and JT Stokes are the six seniors on this year's squad.

The rest of this year's roster includes: Juniors - James Gardner, Cory Jenkins, Evan Kells, Danny Maciolek, Levi Pressley and Anthony Underwood: Sophomores - Austin Askew, Colton Chester, Coty Greer, Zach Guy, Kevin Holtzclaw, Ryan Jones, Drew Thomason and Keaton Toal; Freshmen - Gavin Brown, Quade Buytendorp, Justin Evans, CJ Franklin, Stephen Hermann, Connor McGrew, Gilbert Pruitt, Cole Smith, Brett Whalen and Cameron Williams.

This year's managers are juniors Peyton Louden and Paige Reece.

The Tigers will wrestle this weekend at the King of the Mountain Invitational at Towns County High School in Hiawassee. Friday's action will begin at 5 p.m. and Saturdays final round matches will begin at 9 a.m.

The team will compete in a tri-meet with Blessed Trinity and Milton high schools at 5 p.m., Dec. 6 at Blessed Trinity.