Second-ranked Lisbon topples No. 1 Alburnett

ALBURNETT — Consider it a trial by fire.

Lisbon's Cooper Siebrecht helped determine the final verdict in a heated rivalry with Alburnett.

Sixth-ranked Siebrecht overcame a five-point deficit for a wild 10-9 victory over No. 4 Ben Moyer at 120 pounds, contributing to Class 1A second-ranked Lisbon's 45-33 victory Thursday night over the top-ranked host Pirates of Alburnett.

Siebrecht moved to Lisbon with his family last spring, according to Lisbon Coach Brad Smith. This was his first taste of the battle between the 1A powers.

'I was real excited for this dual,' said Siebrecht, who placed eighth at 106 for Alta-Aurelia last season. 'It was awesome. It was real fun to be a part of.'

The Lions sophomore wasn't having much fun, fighting off his back in the second period. He fended off a fall only to reverse Moyer to his back for four.

'I thought I had him and he caught me on my back,' said Siebrecht, who was in deep on a carry before Moyer countered him. 'I felt the pressure was loose and fought through it.

'I had to keep fighting through every position. I had to keep the pressure on him.'

Siebrecht added a takedown and two escapes in the third for the decision, giving Lisbon a 33-21 lead with four bouts left. The last escape came in the final minute.

'That was a key at 120,' Smith said. 'That showed a lot of determination.'

Alburnett didn't give in, adding two pins for a shot in the final bout. Drake Halblom answered a first-period fall over Clay McCoy at 126. Tucker Franklin posted an exciting pin over Jack Butteris at 138, eclipsing a 12-4 deficit before getting a fall in 4:28.

Lisbon's Chase McLaughlin had a pin at 132. The Lions' three-time state champion Carter Happel, who is looking to become Iowa's 25th four-time state champion, sealed the deal in the last match. He needed just 25 seconds for the pin at 145.

'if it comes down to Carter, I feel pretty good about it,' Smith said. 'He was fired up. He got the job done.'

Lisbon (5-0) received a key fall from heavyweight Ryley Scott. Bryce Werderman bumped from 170 to 182 and added a pin to get Lisbon on the board. The two top programs wrestle again next week at Lisbon. Last year, Alburnett won a close dual the first meeting and the Lions won a week later.

'They will come out on fire,' Smith said. 'I'm sure they will work on things. We need to step up. We look forward to the challenge.'

The Pirates controlled the opening part of the dual, receiving consecutive pins from top-ranked Conner Shulista (152), Bryce Paul (160) and second-ranked Tanner Sloan at 170 for an 18-0 lead. Jaymus Wilson added an 8-4 victory over Cobe Siebrecht at 106, pulling the Pirates within 24-21 just past the midway point.

Alburnett had three open weights as it tries to solidify its lineup.

'We have a couple kids right now who aren't ready,' first-year head coach Clayton Rush said. 'I don't see it being long before they are ready to go.'

The Pirates (1-1) beat North-Linn, 65-18. Lisbon also defeated the Lynx, 57-17.

l Comments: (319) 368-8679; kj.pilcher@thegazette.com