The Stephenson wrestling team entered the state meet a different way this season.

The Jaguars (22-3) won the Area 2AAAAA dual meet and claimed a victory in the state duals before dropping two straight matches to North Forsyth and Tift County.

Stephenson coach Phillip Noble said even though the state duals did not end with a Stephenson win, the Jaguars have a chance for redemption next month.

Stephenson still has a shot at a state championship with the traditional meet Feb. 17 and 18. The area meet will be Feb. 3 and 4 and sectionals take place Feb. 10 and 11.

“We are using the duals meet as motivation for the guys to get ready,” Noble said.

Junior Darian Perry (28-0) wrestles in the 160-pound weight class and Noble said he has contributed more than skill on the mat.

“Darian really is a perfectionist, but he is also a great leader out there for these guys,” Noble said.

Perry is one of six wrestlers who qualified for traditional state last season and Noble said there should be six qualify again for state this season.

“We have a strong four and two dark horses,” Noble said.

Perry, heavyweight Brandon Addison (17-2), 152-pounder Stephen Wylie (25-0) and 195-pounder Mike Gales (16-1) are the four Noble will count on to qualify for state. The two “dark horses” are 120-pounder Tor Shabazz (13-2) and 113-pounder Dexter Brown (20-2).

Noble said a pair of sophomores has added much needed depth to the meet roster.

“Shawn Williams and Eric Baldwin took some lickings last year, but they are now giving them out,” Noble said. “You have to have the young boys for the future. We knew that Darian, Steve, Brandon and Mike were going to do well, but those guys coming along will help us down the road. Our team has been gelling pretty well.”

Noble said coach Jerome Tillery has done his best to prepare these players for all they will see on the mat.

“Coach Tillery really is a technician and he teaches these guys all they need to know,” Noble said. “He doesn’t really teach brute strength. Under Coach Tillery these guys learn all the ways they can win.”

Tillery said the team is ready for the stretch run toward the state meet.

Before the state meet the Jaguars will participate in the DeKalb County Meet Jan. 27 and 28.

“It means a lot to win that one,” Noble said.