Class 7A Elite 8 State Duals Preview

STATE CHAMPIONS WILL BE CROWNED THE WEEKEND!!

CLASS 7A

The Bracket- Class 7A
#18 North Gwinnett vs #2 Camden Co
#8 Archer vs #4 Mill Creek
#6 Lowndes vs #7 West Forsyth
#17 Brookwood vs #1 Buford

North Gwinnett knocking off Richmond Hill last weekend was really the only big surprise.  Sure I picked Lowndes to drop their match with North Paulding, but it isn't a huge shock that they were able to win, they are a very talented team.  Essentially their will be two huge matches in this tournament, the semifinal on the top half, and then the potential super dual between Camden and Buford.  

Quarterfinals
The top 3 teams will absolutely roll through the 1st round, notice i said top 3 teams and not top 3 seeds.  The highlight of the first round will be a great dual between West Forsyth and Lowndes.  Both teams have big hitters in the lineup, and both teams have holes in their lineup.  Could this match come down to a State Finals rematch at 120 between Walker and McCullough?  It's possible, but I think this match will come down to the lesser known wrestlers on each team between 144 and 157.  Lowndes pulls out a close one by 2.

Semifinals
No matter who wins between West Forsyth and Lowndes, they will have their hands full with Buford in round 2.  While their may be a few juicy matches in the lower weights, Buford will ultimately pull away and win by 20-25 points.  Mill Creek vs Camden on the top half will be a tremendous back and forth battle.  Mill Creek has plenty of top end talent, but after their top 5 or 6 they are very vulnerable.  Camden is stingy when it comes to giving up bonus points, and they could steal a win or two against Mill Creeks top kids, give me Camden 33-19.

Consolation Rounds
North Gwinnett over Archer
West Forsyth over Brookwood

Lowndes over North Gwinnett
Mill Creek over West Forsyth

3rd Place Match
Strength against strength between 120 and 132, and those three matches will be awesome to watch.  However, the winner of this dual will be the team that wins the matches between 138 and 157, whichever team picks up 3 of those weights will win, if they split 2-2 then it will come down to bonus.  I'll give the nod to Mill Creek 34-32.

Finals
This match could go in all different directions, it could be 7/7 split, I could also see either team picking up as many as 9 wins in the dual.  Their are so many great matches in this dual, you can't really pinpoint where the swing matches are, but I cant wait to see 138 and 175.  I have always said that I am not going to pick against Camden until they actually lose, but  Buford is an entirely different animal and Camden has a lot of new faces.  Give me the Wildcats 27-25.

Final Standings
1. Camden Co
2. Buford
3. Mill Creek
4. Lowndes