Bamberg-Ehrhardt Red Raiders Wrestling Season Ends in Third Round of State Tournament

Brian Ford and Omarion Wilson carried the Bamberg-Ehrhardt Red Raiders deep into the class AA/A state wrestling tournament, each finishing as state runner-ups at 106 and 165 pounds respectively, before the program's season came to a close in the third round.

Ford, a senior, and Wilson, a junior, both entered the individual state championship as the number one seed from the lower state, along with teammates Tyler Kittrell and Darion Sease, who also qualified as top seeds from the lower state bracket. Ford and Wilson finished the year ranked third and fourth in their weight classes.

Head coach Terrell Haynes acknowledged the season produced real results but fell short of the program's benchmark. "We had a good season, but we did not meet our expectations," Haynes said. "Our goal every year is to compete for a state championship. That is the standard and we strive to achieve it each year."

The standard Haynes references carries genuine historical weight. Since 2005, only the Eagles of Eastside, the state's all-time leader in wrestling championships, have appeared in more state championship matches than Bamberg-Ehrhardt's 13 appearances in that span.

Beyond the four top seeds, Graham entered the state meet as the number three seed from the lower state in his first career state tournament appearance and went 2-2. Parler earned a number eight seed. Blake Gunnells at 175 pounds and Maddox Griffith at 138 pounds were singled out as two of the program's most improved wrestlers this season.

The full Red Raiders roster also included Cameron Daniels at 113, Josh Tackett at 120, Liam Daff at 132, Austin Fisk at 144, and Trey Wilson at 157.

Haynes credited the group's work ethic and cohesion throughout the year. "This is a very dedicated group that worked hard all year," he said. "We have a brotherhood within the program and they push each other every day to get better for the next match."

With multiple lower-state top seeds returning, including Wilson, who has another year of eligibility as a junior, the Red Raiders will carry that championship expectation into next season.