IN CONTROL — Big Red’s Julius Mullins has a grip on Martins Ferry’s Keenan Lucey Wedneday. - Kim North

However, Wednesday night’s high school dual meet wrestling match between the visiting Big Red and Purple Riders high atop the Purple City served as a tuneup for the upcoming sectional tournament.

With the lead changing hands three times, Steubenville was able to win the last four bouts – the final two by forfeits – to post a 46-28 victory over the Purple Riders inside Tolbert Gymnasium on Senior Night.

“Martins Ferry gave up a couple of forfeits, but we knew they were a strong team and we knew it was going to be tight all the way through,” Steubenville head coach Lucas Huffman said. “I thought Julius Mullins bumping up to 144, that was a huge swing match. Hats off to him for doing a great job.”

Mullins, an OVAC Ron Mauck runnerup, led Martins Ferry’s Keenan Lucey 2-0 before recording a pin in 5-minutes, 6-seconds to put Steubenville ahead 24-16.

SCORING POINTS — Big Red’s Cole Harvey controls Martins Ferry’s Alain Gaston. - Kim North

“I thought we wrestled OK. We went out and scrapped,” Huffman continued. “This was a good test for us before we get into the (OHSAA Division II) sectional tournament. We didn’t want that long (two-week) layoff even though we’ve got a couple of injuries that we’re coming back from.”

He was referring to seniors Kasyn Burkey (126) and Cooper Smith (144). Smith, who suffered a broken ankle before the season started, is a two-time All-Ohioan. He was a state runnerup last year at 144 after taking sixth at the same weight two years ago.

Huffman said both will be back in the lineup on Saturday, Feb. 28 when Steubenville hosts the Division II sectional inside the Crimson Center.

“Honestly, every time you wrestle as a team, or individual, I would think you want to win every time, but the end result there’s always a bigger picture,” Ware said. “Win, loser whatever, what can we take from tonight to make us better and get us to where we want to be in the next month.”

“We had some good matches tonight,” Ware added. “This was a good experience for our younger kids.”

In addition to Mullins, also winning for Big Red were David Ross (120, forfeit); Cole Harvey (126, pin in 1:52); Dorian Haddad (132, pin in 2:57); Landon Crosier (190, pin in 1:43); Braylon Hayden (190, 10-6 dec.); Colt Gamble (215, forfeit) and Beau Hudson (285, forfeit).

Martins Ferry winners include Brycen Yourkovich (106, maj. dec., 8-0); Jayce Nixon (113, pin in 3:52); Colton Nixon (138, pin in 1:16); Cole Patterson (150, dec, 13-6); Mason Baker (157, dec., 7-3); and R.J. Welshans (165, pin in 1:03).

The Brothers Nixon were OVAC Ron Mauck champions. Jayce’s victory was his third over Jailen Steave, who he decisioned 1-0 in the OVAC finals. Colton took seventh in the state at 126 last winter as a freshman. Welshans’ victory gave Martins Ferry a short-lived 28-24 lead.

“We’ve still got some injuries we’re dealing with,” Ware said of freshman Nathaniel Shreve (175) and Tayson Palmer (215). “Nathaniel will be ready for sectionals, but we’re still waiting on test results to see what Tayson can do.”

The Purple Riders travel to Barnesville for OHSAA Division III sectional tournament action, also on Saturday, Feb. 28.

Steubenville 46, Martins Ferry 28

106-Yourkovich (MF) md. Williams, 8-0; 113-J. Nixon (MF) p. Steave, 3:52; 120-Ross (S) won by forfeit; 126-Harvey (S) p. Gaston, 1:52; 132-Haddad (S) p. Simpson, 2:57; 138-C. Nixon (MF) p. Stanton, 1:16; 144-Mullins (S) p. Lucey, 5:06; 150-Patterson (MF) d. Barr, 13-6; 157-Baker (MF) d. Simmons, 7-3; 165-Welshans (MF) p. Pugh, 1:03; 175-Crosier (S) p. Ball, 1:43; 190-Hayden (S) d. Clark, 10-6; 215-Gamble (S) won by forfeit; 285-Hudson (S) won by forfeit