Poplar Bluff's Kelton Thompson, right, attempts to turn Dexter's Daniel McClendon during the 215-pound match Thursday night in Dexter. Thompson won the match with a pin in 32 seconds. (Brian Rosener/DAR) [Click to enlarge]

By BRIAN ROSENER ~ DAR Sports Editor

DEXTER -- Before his first-ever wrestling match, Poplar Bluff senior Brent Wagner got plenty of advice from his coach, a friend and even a neighbor. Of course, it helped that all three were once state qualifiers.

Sporting a mohawk, the 152-pounder opened the second period Thursday night with a reverse out of the bottom position and pined Dexter's Brandon Helton 33 seconds later.

It was one of nine pins by the Mules, who won 72-12 to open the season.

"For a kid that just came out, he looks like a second-year wrestler," Mules coach Brian Wisdom said. "He didn't get behind, he always stayed behind the hips (and) he learns really well."

Wagner said he got some help from his neighbor, Gene Hill, and before the match fellow senior Paul Swesey's advice was "give it all (and) don't leave anything out on the mat." Wagner's younger brother has even helped him learn the techniques.

"It's kind of hard to admit it, but he teaches me," Wagner said.

Swesey, one of three returning Mules to reach the state tournament, picked up 18 points before pinning Austin Chamberlain in 1 minute, 48 seconds.

Poplar Bluff heavyweight Dylan Janes needed just 67 seconds to pin Michael Spencer while fellow state qualifier Brandon Bounds won a battle in the 130-pound match. Dexter's Joey Moore led 10-7 after one period before Bounds took a 12-11 lead after two, got a reversal and pinned Moore with 65 seconds left.

"All in all, we have a lot of work to do, but for a first match I'll take it," Wisdom said.

Poplar Bluff picked up three matches by forfeit -- Zach Surque (112 pounds), Jordan Henningson (140) and Brennan Moore (171).

Dexter's Michael Henley pinned Colton Woodsmall with 91 seconds left in the 119-pound match.

Shawn Phillips, another Poplar Bluff senior who was not on the team last season, led 13-10 midway through the third period of the 160-pound match when Dexter's Jordan Averett won with a pin.

"(When) you get out of it for awhile, you forget what's danger," Wisdom said. "I saw that with Shawn, we're going to learn off that."

Poplar Bluff's Ethan Swingle opened the match with a pin of Justin Robey at 103 pounds in 1:40.

Three straight matches went into the third period with Poplar Bluff taking all three.

Storm McClure fought through an injury and led 9-8 after two before the 125 pound Mule pinned Joey Moore with 47 seconds left after getting the wind knocked out of him in the first period. After a pin by Bounds, Cameron West led 11-2 after two periods before pinning Dexter's Jake McGuire with 90 seconds remaining.

At 145 pounds, Poplar Bluff's Dallas Berry pinned Colby Barnes in 1:44 while Kelton Thompson gave the Mules another pin at 215 pounds in 32 seconds.

Wisdom said the first match of the season can be tough because wrestlers have the tendency to get over-excited. Having at least one match before a tournament Saturday in Farmington was important.

"We're walking into a big deal this weekend where it's going to be tough," Wisdom said. "We're talking some big schools and that's what's going to show me even more of where we're at.

"We've always said it's not what happens before Christmas (break), it's what happens afterward."

JUNIOR VARSITY: Ryan Henningson (103) and Darby Smothers (135) earned pins for the Mules while Dylan Hardin (130), Blake Kimbrough (140) and Joshua Potter (189) got pins for Dexter. In exhibition matches, Poplar Bluff's Josh Townsend won 17-2 while Anna Fromm got a pin.

JUNIOR HIGH: Poplar Bluff's Hunter Pyland (112) won 14-12 in overtime, Cody Fromm (119) won 12-6 while Kaleb Barton (119) and Austin Boner (145) got pins. Dexter's Cody Stevens (103), Blake Hardy (112), Josh Townsend (119) and Zach Watson (150) won by pins.