The Reservoir Gators continued to show how vital bonus points are in close matches by defeating the South River Seahawks, 34-27, Thursday, in Fulton, Md.

In a dual where each team won seven matches, the Gators received bonus points in five of their seven wins, while the Seahawks only got one pin and a forfeit, with five decisions. Once again, for Reservoir, the match came down to bonus points.

Both Reservoir and South River compete in the 3A/4A East Region, and senior heavyweight Josh Hamilton knows how important a win over a top team in the region can be for his team’s post-season chances.

“It means a lot to win this one,” Hamilton said. “Our coach told us they already had two losses on the season so they would be coming after us because a loss to us might end their chances at regional duals.

“We stayed off our back like we had to and some of the JV guys stepped up big for us and held off bonus points, staying off their back,” Hamilton said. “We had some varsity guys out tonight but guys like Glueck and Sullivan, even though they lost, only gave up decisions and as JV kids wrestling varsity, that’s huge for the team. I think we only gave up one pin and got four of our own.”

Despite never winning more than two matches in a row the whole night, Reservoir built an insurmountable, 34-9 lead Hamilton’s first period pin. The Gators lost three matches in that stretch, but all three losses were via decision.

“We talk about it all the time. It’s how we won states last year; we stayed off our back and got our own bonus points,” Hamilton said. “We know how important those points are in a dual with good teams like South River.”

Hamilton is 9-0 on the season including seven pins and a major decision, with one decision. Hamilton placed second in the 3A/4A State Tournament last March and is currently the top-ranked heavyweight in the 3A/4A division.

South River competes at the McDonogh Holiday Duals on Dec. 29-30, and Reservoir wrestles county-rival River Hill, Jan. 4, in Clarksville, Md.

Reservoir 34, South River 27

130 – Seth Rowell (R) maj. dec. Alley, C. (SR), 12-4 (4-0)

135 – James Mullens (R) p. Lane (SR), 3:40 (10-0)

140 – Murphy (SR) dec. Ramin Zaiee (R), 9-5 (10-3)

145 – Donovan Peek (R) dec. Mike Circo (SR), 8-3 (13-3)

152 – David Kuper (R) p. O’Neil (SR), 3:41 (19-3)

160 – Larry Thompson (SR) dec. Glueck (R), 7-2 (19-6)

171 – Mark Colabucci (R) p. Patrick Owens (SR), 0:45 (25-6)

189 – Anthony Rossi (SR) dec. Sullivan (R), 9-2 (25-9)

215 – Matt Herlihy (R) dec. Mike Santini (SR), 6-3 (28-9)

285 – Josh Hamilton (R) p. Travis Clow (SR), 1:09 (34-9)

103 – Owens, J. (SR) wbf (34-15)

112 – Dale Keith (SR) dec. Hans Wicklein (R), 6-5 (3OT) (34-18)

119 – Austin Alley (SR) dec. Eric Lee (R), 6-1 (34-21)

125 – Josh Perren (SR) p. Michael Ponton (R), 2:44 (34-27)