Dawson County High School Wrestling Coach Arron Haynes and the 2008-2009 edition of the Dawson County wrestling team will open the season with a match at Johnson High School Friday night. The first match should start at approximately 5 p.m.

The Tigers have been working really hard to get in shape, according to Haynes.

The group started practice Nov. 3 and has been diligently preparing for the upcoming season.

Numbers are up as each square foot of the mat is being used at practice.

“Right now I have about 41 on roster, but that will probably end up at about 34 or 35. If we keep that many, it will be the most we have kept since the championship season,” Haynes said.

“Right now we are very young and my expectations are to step on the mat and take it to every opponent, win or lose. But I think we have the talent to make some noise in the region this year as a team, with several individuals making it to sectionals and state and hopefully several state placers,” said Haynes.

The Tigers will count on standouts Joe Perry, Kenith Davis and David Wood to earn points on a consistent basis for the team.

Haynes and his wrestlers will host their first home match on Tuesday, Nov. 25 against Gilmer County and Creekview.

The tri-match will also include the junior varsity and should begin around 5 p.m.