This State preview edition of the Houston Report will not deal with any team predictions, but rather with the 10 Houston wrestlers with the best shot at a state title this saturday. In no particular order they are…

State Title Contenders

Eric Spjut of The Woodlands has to be seen as a favorite in the 112 lb. weight class. His performance all season has been a model of consistency. To see this level of talent in a Freshman is not unheard of, but to see such a young wrestler perform at such a high level without a letdown speaks of Spjut’s maturity, not just his ability. His road to the finals will be a tough one, as an unexpected upset in Region 2 put fellow Freshman Jeremy Sandoval of Colleyville Heritage in line to be his quarterfinal opponent (just the type of letdown and upset loss that is understandable in even the most talented freshmen). This match-up would appear to be the best ever between 2 Texas Freshman, but it does not end there for Spjut. His next opponent would likely be last year’s state runner-up and current 50-0 wrestler Brandon McDonald of Canyon Randall. This gauntlet would then end with a state finals opponent that could easily be George Goganas of Austin Bowie, a returning state place winner in his own right. Now all these match-ups are extremely hypothetical, as post-season wrestling does not go according to script, but if Spjut does indeed face this path (toughest ever?) on route to the title, he would have to take the nod as Most Outstanding Wrestler.

Shane Doughman of Klein Oak is a returning State Champion at 119, and it looks like he will let nothing stand in his way this year. Doughman continues to be overlooked as an elite wrestler, but to realize how impressive last year’s win was, you must consider that the wrestlers he defeated in that 119 state title run last year, are now the favorites in 3 other weight classes this year (Sandoval 125, Kitchen 130, Peterson 135). His finals pin over fellow state champ Andre Taylor of Plano East at Regionals was the kind of dominance shown by elite wrestlers. He is undoubtedly one of Texas’ 5 best wrestlers overall this year, and I would bet on him turning into a fine 125 for some lucky college in the future.

Colin McElroy of The Woodlands was named in this column as the Houston wrestler most likely to go from 2005 non-state qualifier to 2006 State Champion, and I am standing by that prediction right now. He struggled through injuries at times this year, but is healthy and on a roll after defeating Austin Cordova of Lake Highlands by fall in the Regional Finals. He is a high energy wrestler prone to both the big move, and also to giving away the big move, so his potential semi-finals match-up with cradle expert Jimmy Peterson of SA Madison should be one of the most exciting of the tournament.

Jamie Sheets of Cinco Ranch is a junior seeking his 2nd state championship, winning as a freshman and finishing out of the money last year. His toughest competition in the 140 lb. weight class appears to be another 2004 state champ who was knocked of in 2005 and seeks to return to the top in 2006, Michael Gerber of Canyon Randall. The two already wrestled a 3-1 match with Gerber coming out on top. Sheets has his work cut out for him to add his 2nd title, but he has already proven the ability to win the big match.

Others with a chance

130
Patrick Blakely, Westside, very hot and cold, but a good day could win it for him.

145
Michael Murray, Cy Fair, lack of big matches showed at Regionals but I still say he is the best in state.

160
Matt Harris, Cinco Ranch / Zach Nichols, Westside, Both are underdogs for finals of this deep weight, but I just enjoy listing these two together after their battle for the Regional final.

171
Joey Depew, Taylor, A great chance to be in the finals, Corry was his worst match-up and he now has Covey to take care of that. Re-match of one point loss to #1 Covey would be fun.

215
Kyle Jones, Klein Collins, Strong, Athletic, and nearly impossible to score on. He is not outstanding offensively, but he is great when it comes to stance and position.

This list is not exhaustive, but it is the wrestlers I would expect to make noise this weekend. However, I hope to be writing an article next Saturday night about someone who came from off this list to make everyone take notice. Good luck Houston Wrestlers.