Furious comeback by Milford wrestlers falls short vs Sussex Tech 40-39

Milford’s Gregory Lockett (left) pinned Sussex Tech’s Mel Miller in the night’s final match at 285 pounds.

MILFORD — It all came down to bonus points Friday night as Sussex Tech recorded three straight pins early and then held off the Milford wrestlers 40-39.

Milford recorded “bookend” pins from eighth-grader Ryan Farissier in the opening match at 106 pounds and from No. 6 ranked Gregory Lockett at 285 in the final bout of the night. Six of the Buccaneers’ seven wins came by fall.

Sussex Tech wrestling coach Scott Layfield said he had the match at 7-7 and that it would come down to bonus points. That’s exactly what happened as his Ravens built a 40-18 lead, and held off the Buccaneers 40-39 at Milford’s Central Academy gym Friday night. The Ravens recorded five pins and two technical falls to gain the bonus points needed for the close victory.

Three consecutive pins from freshman Jayden Justice (150), Dustin Elliott (157), and Bennett Brumbley gave the Ravens a 40-18 advantage. The state’s No. 1 wrestler in his weight class, Elliott’s pin took just 12 seconds, by far the fastest of the night. Don Parsley’s Bucs fought back valiantly, winning the final four matches, but came up a point short.

Sussex Tech also received pins from freshman Cason Andrews at 113 (after trailing 6-2 early) and Logan King at 132 pounds.

“I have 14 kids that battle, and it’s always good competition when we wrestle (Milford Coach) Don (Parsley),” Layfield said.” “The two freshmen came up big at 113 with Cason Andrews and 150 with Jayden Justice.”

The Milford junior varsity won its match 42-26 with seven pins. The evening began as Milford defeated Dover in a middle-school event.