MUSKEGON TWP. - Wednesday Night Lights?
Or maybe Wednesday Night Smackdown, because it sort of had that pro wrestling feel to it?
Whatever you call it, Reeths-Puffer High School put on a real wrestling show for the first time on Wednesday, with a new format featuring the action on the mat under spotlights and the rest of the gym darkened, to create a more theatrical effect.
Of course every production needs a star, and the Reeths-Puffer wrestlers combined to fill that role in style, plowing past Caledonia 52-18 in their first O-K Green conference match of the season.
The show also had an encore, because after the competition ended, it was announced the R-P standout Ian Cook’s win at 138 pounds was the 150th of his outstanding varsity career.
R-P's Bryce Muskovin, left, battles in the 157-pound match. Photo/Jeremy Clark
It was also announced that fellow senior Sage Secrest’s victory at 215 pounds was the 100th of his career.
All in all, it was an interesting and exciting home opener for the 2024-25 Rockets.
"I though it was great,” Secrest said about wrestling under the lights. “I thought it was very electric and it brought the energy. I don't think we’ve ever really had anything like that at Reeths-Puffer before. It makes it a lot more fun . It makes a lot more people get into it.”
The new showtime environment was the brainstorm of new R-P head coach Brad Cowles and his assistant Jace Learn, who wanted to put on more of a performance, so the matches will draw more fans to support the team.
It was cool in a lot of ways that many high school wrestling matches are not.
R-P's Sage Secrest gets ready to pin his opponent for career win No. 100. Photo/Jeremy Clark
The R-P team was introduced before the match, and the wrestlers ran out on the mat and jogged in a circle to backup music and the applause of the home fans.
Individual Rocket wrestlers were introduced before each of their matches, complete with their personal choice of “walk-up” music.
The PA announcer helped the audience follow the action, and explained how the scoring system worked.
The best part, of course, was the competition underneath the bright lights, providing a focused, main event feel to every match.
“Just trying to get more butts in the seats,” Coach Cowles said. “One way we thought we could do it was with the music and the lights. I think that was probably the biggest crowd we’ve had for a regular home match in a while, and it was the first time we've had a student section there.
R-P's Blake Miller, bottom, uses his legs to gain an advantage. Photo/Jeremy Clark
“It also gets our boys excited. As you could tell, they were having a blast. It just brings out their energy.”
One thing that hasn’t changed about R-P wrestling is the ultimate goal of winning, particularly conference dual matches.
The Rockets are two-time defending O-K Green champions, and gave every indication on Wednesday that they are serious about pulling off a three-peat.
They took control right away, winning the first eight matches of the night.
R-P ended up winning 10 of 14 matches, including five by pin.
R-P's Travis Henderson throws his opponent to the mat. Photo/Jeremy Clark
Winning matches for the Rockets were Devin Welch (285 pounds), Travis Henderson (113), Blake Miller (120), Marcus Moore (126), Tanner Cowles (132), Hunter Eek (144), Andrew Corradin (175) and Secrest (215).
Welch, Moore, Eek, Corradin and Secrest all won by pin.
Winning by forfeit for R-P were Cook (138) and Max Knowlton (106).
“I was really pleased with the grit,” Coach Cowles said about his team’s performance. “We’ve been pushing grit, grit, grit all season so far, and the kids really brought it today. They were constantly putting pressure on their opponents, constantly in their faces.
“It was very exciting for us coaches, and I think it was exciting for the fans.”
R-P's Sidney Shackelford, left, tries to hold off her charging opponent. Photo/Jeremy Clark
The most exciting matchup of the night came at 113 pounds, where Henderson, a freshman, jumped out to an 8-3 lead after one period and an 8-7 lead after two.
He was almost pinned near the end of the second period, but managed to hold on for nearly a minute before he was saved by the buzzer.
The match was tied 10-10 at the end of regulation, sending it to overtime, and Henderson quickly won with a three-point takedown just three seconds into OT.
“I put myself in a bad position,” Henderson said about nearly getting pinned after having the lead. “I just started thinking about how I would feel if a lost that match, and I just kept on fighting. I just kept twisting and turning.”
When asked about the sensation of competing under the lights in front of a lot of people, Henderson said, “I was nervous, but it was fun. It was the first time I’ve experienced something like that.”