Tamaqua coach Jon Mashack knew going into his team's Schuylkill League contest against Pottsville that it would come down to a matter of a few points.

With Pottsville trailing 30-26, Crimson Tide coach Pat Brennan made a choice that proved to be the turning point in the contest.He chose to take a forfeit loss at 138 pounds to avoid Tamaqua's Dylan Rynkiewicz, who entered with 6-2 record, to setup a match between Pottsville's Kody Stencovage and the Raider's Hunter Matalavage.The decision worked out in Brennan's favor, as Stencovage defeated Matalavage by fall to give Pottsville a 32-30 lead that Crimson Tide would ride to a 41-36 victory.Raiders' coach Jon Mashack acknowledged after the match the decision at 138 pounds was critical."I knew 138 (pounds) would matter," Mashack said. "I knew that would have an impact on the outcome of the match."Pottsville coach Pat Brennan knew that his decision at 138 pounds would carry significant weight in deciding the outcome of the contest."I knew it would be a matter of a few points in the end," Brennan said. "We really fought for every point and did our best all night."I thought the kids did an outstanding job tonight. They've been working really hard every day and I think it showed tonight."Tamaqua did pick up a win by Colin Mashack at 120 pounds, a pin over Pottsville's John Schell at 0:29.The win moves Mashack's record to 7-0 for the season and puts him on track to have another stellar year for the Raiders.Tamaqua got a boost early on in the contest with a win at 195 pounds, a pin by Nolan Zeigler over Pottsville's Charlie Naradko.Overall, coach Mashack was happy with the way his team performed, even though it was not the outcome he had hoped for."I'm really happy with the guys," Mashack said. "I'm really happy with the way the guys have wrestled so far this year."Mashack knows he has a young team that lacks experience wrestling at the varsity level."We have a lot of guys that are wrestling varsity for the first time," Mashack said.Mashack knows he won't get results overnight and he wants to make sure he gives his team a solid foundation for long-term success."My goal is to teach them the basics and to get them to believe in themselves," said Mashack. "I want them to believe that they are capable of winning these matches."Pottsville 41, Tamaqua 36106 - Robert Ward (P) won by forfeit113 - Luke Gardner (P) won by forfeit120 - Colin Mashack (T) pinned John Schell :29126 - Bailey Roos (P) TF 4:09, 15-0132 - Steven Matukonis (T) won by forfeit138 - Dylan Rynkiewicz (T) won by forfeit145 - Kody Stencovage (P) pinned Hunter Matalavage 1:28152 - Aaron Ditzler (P) pinned Dustin Silkowski 0:57160 - Kolby Klecker (P) dec. Kyle Oliphant, 5-0170 - Malik Roper (T) won by forfeit* 182 - James Weeks (T) won by forfeit195 - Nolan Zeigler (T) pinned Charlie Naradko 3:39220 - John Borchick (P) won by forfeit285 - Stanley Burke (P) dec. Luke Matsago, 1-0* - Match started at 182 pounds.