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By Brian Pitts
Enterprise Record

Josh Stanley’s first year as Davie’s wrestling coach was a rocket ship ride – Davie won the state duals and the state individual tournament and went 23-1 – and the War Eagles have astronomically high hopes coming into 2024-25.
When they beat undefeated Laney in the state dual final, their lineup consisted of three seniors, four juniors, four sophomores and three freshmen. They will return six state qualifiers. In other words, it’s a loaded roster.
There is, however, some bad news. Andy Davis is hurt and his availability is up in the air. Will he miss half the season? Will he miss the entire season? With Davis out, or with Davis at less than 100 percent, Davie’s ceiling is a bit lower. You don’t lose a guy like that without feeling it.
After going 18-8 as a freshman, Davis became a star as a sophomore, going 41-6 at 138 and winning four of six matches in the state tournament. He’s one of the reasons Davie, which will try to repeat as state champion for the first time since 1994-95, is sitting atop a mountain of confidence.
“I don’t know, honestly,” Stanley said when asked about Davis’ possible return to the mat after the recent injury. “It’s the worst timing ever. I don’t really know a time frame. It could be anywhere from 8-12 weeks. That’s somebody I was really leaning on to take (Hunter) Testa’s role.
“I would like to get him in shape enough to go on an individual run. A lot of it is going to be how much confidence he’s got coming back. He was so dang good right now. I mean, he was definitely going to make a run for a state championship. And I don’t know that he still can’t if he gets back in time. I mean, that boy is daily; he is still leveling up. He’s so much fun to watch, and now he’s got a little man about him.”
Stanley was/is going to plug Davis in anywhere from 144 to 157.
“I’m planning on him being a 150 a lot, but ultimately he’s a 144-pounder in an individual tournament,” he said. “If he does get this season, he will be looking at some college opportunities.”
As tough as that blow is, Davie still has the pieces for an encore state title.
“We’re going to have to have some young guys step up. But we are deep, so we should still be pretty solid,” he said. “I’ve got (Isaac) O’Toole coming up from North Davie, and he’s really going to be a good one. He’s maybe not there yet, but he’s going to be a good one. (Freshman) Jaden Dillard is a tough kid. He has come in and given some of the upperclassmen fits right away. I’m trying to keep (freshman) Carter Hoots where I can use him at 144. Carter is a little light for that, but he’s ready to wrestle now. I mean, I think he could qualify for a state tournament right now.”
Nowhere is the reservoir of talent deeper than it is between 126 and 132. Last year Cayden Glass finished second in the state at 120, Tiaj Thao was fifth at 126 and Aidan Szewczyk went 4-2 in the state meet at 113.
“We are log jammed at 126 and 132,” Stanley said. “We have three state-placers at two weight classes. None of those guys are going to make it back down to 120. Somebody’s going to have to go up to 138 between T, Aidan and Cayden. Nobody really wants to go up to 138, but we’re going to have to have some big talks, some leadership talks amongst the team, because somebody is going to have to bite that bullet.”
Stanley constructed a robust coaching staff in his first year. It’s even stronger this year with the addition of Timmy Allen, who is back on the black-and-orange side after serving as West Forsyth’s head coach for one year. The other assistants are Isaiah Whitley, Caleb Spurlin, Jordon Nolan and Russell Hilton. On top of that, Brian Murphy, a standout for Davie in the late 1990s, is the new coach at Ellis.
“Timmy is back in the house,” Stanley said with a smile.