The Blair Oaks Falcons had a pair of individual champions in taking second in the team standings in the Class 2 District 3 Tournament that concluded Saturday. Nolan Laughlin at 138 pounds and Cole Peters at 285 claimed titles for the Falcons.
It was a quick first day for the Blair Oaks Falcons at the Missouri Duals. The Falcons went 0-3 at Helias Gym, with less than half a lineup competing in each dual. “Unfortunately, it turns into an individual tournament, which is not where we want to be,” Blair Oaks coach Mike DeMilia said of wrestling shorthanded. “Lots of injuries, so many guys who haven’t made their weight for numerous reasons.
Outside the Blair Oaks wrestling room, there is a white sheet of paper hanging on the door with two words printed on it: “One more.” It serves as a reminder for the Falcons each time they enter the room. Just nine months earlier, Blair Oaks only needed to win “one more” match at the Class 2 boys wrestling state championships to bring home the program’s first state trophy in nine seasons. With six state qualifiers returning this season, and four state medalists among that group, the Falcons are hoping for “one more” chance at a state trophy.
The Blair Oaks Falcons played in an offense-dominated state semifinal game last season. They might get more of the same this afternoon. Blair Oaks hosts the Park Hills Central Rebels in the Class 3 state semifinals at 1 p.m. today at the Falcon Athletic Complex. The two teams enter the game nearly averaging a combined 100 points per game.
It’s a somewhat familiar opponent for the Blair Oaks Falcons, but the stakes are much higher this time around. After playing the Moberly Spartans a total of 12 times in the regular season, the two teams will meet for the first time in the postseason tonight at the Falcon Athletic Complex. Kickoff for the Class 3 District 4 Tournament championship is at 7 p.m. The two teams have not faced each other since the 2015 season opener, which the Falcons won 42-18. Ted LePage has faced the Spartans twice during his first head-coaching stint at Blair Oaks, winning 40-0 in 2004 and 35-9 in 2005 against Moberly in a pair of Week 4 matchups.