The wrestling program at Pigeon Forge is no stranger to championships.
And the Tigers might just add another to its list of accolades on Saturday.
Pigeon Forge, the defending state champion, will match up against Fairview (36-6) in the Class A-AA state duals championship at 5:30 p.m. Central at the Williamson County Expo in Franklin. The Tigers also won it in 2017.
Pigeon Forge (35-7) got off on the right foot Friday by winning its first match Friday afternoon against Alcoa (21-10).
Hunter Gentry (106), Kewayne Snell (113), Andy Cable (120), Caleb Gumlick (126), Noah Dyer (132), Josh Parton (138), Garrett Foreman (145), Colby Dalon (152), Caleb Wolfe (220) and Mustafi Algarawi (285) each recorded three or more points for the Tigers in the opening win.
Anthony Jones (160), William Carter (170), Aaron Tipton (182) and Kambell Brown (195) logged victories for Alcoa. The Tornadoes fell into Saturday’s consolation bracket, where it will face Greenbrier (30-4) at 9 a.m. Central.
In the nightcap, Pigeon Forge downed Hixson (28-3) with a dramatic finish.
With the Tigers clinging to a 34-32 advantage, Caleb Gumlick, in 120 pounds, secured the decisive match and points (4.0) to send the Tigers back to the final.
Also securing points in the win over Hixson were: Josh Parton (138), Garrett Foreman (145), Colby Dalon (152), Joseph Skidmore (182), Ethan Sutton (195) and Hunter Gentry (106).
CLASS AA
Greeneville vs. Fairview (34-6): Greeneville fell, 56-21, to Fairview in the Greene Devils’ opening match. They’ll face Signal Mountain (17-4) in the consolation bracket Saturday morning.
Todd Wallin (120), Hunter Mason (126) and Kodiak Cannedy (145) won matches for Greeneville. Isaac Haynie (170) added three points for Greeneville thanks to his 7-6 decision over Jackson Metts.
CLASS AAA
Oakland 37, Halls 28: The Red Devils (15-3) got wins in the lower-weight ranks and higher-weight ranks. But Oakland’s depth throughout the lineup gave it just enough to down Halls.
Jeremy Peters (120), Samuel Hutchison (113), Jonathan Kiser (132), Cainon Elkins (160), Brandon Elkins (220) and Trevor Linderman (285) earned points Friday for Halls, which will square off with Memphis Houston (20-8) on Saturday morning in an elimination match in the consolation bracket.
Bradley Central 66, Heritage 12: Hunter Davis (132) and Wade Casto (195) posted six points apiece, but the Mountaineers fell into the consolation bracket. There, they will take on Science Hill (25-7) on Saturday morning.
Blackman 75, Sevier County 6: Hunter Fromm (152) logged the lone victory for the Smoky Bears (14-10). Sevier County takes on Clarksville (22-12) on Saturday morning in the consolation bracket.
Dobyns-Bennett 51, Maryville 19: Michael Colligan (120), Colby Sinclair (182), Thomas Stadel (195) and Adrian Gummi (220) earned points for the Rebels (21-6), who will face Independence (13-10) on Saturday morning in the consolation bracket.