By Michael Butler

A storybook season last year ended with two state championships and five individual rings for the Tallassee wrestling team. The Tigers went 43-0 in duals matches claiming the duals and traditional team trophies.

For four consecutive seasons, Tallassee has been undefeated in duals matches losing only in the playoffs. That streak of regular season team duals wins stands at 151, quite the feat considering that head coach John Mask does not shy away from strong competition.

“We don’t want to lose a match,” he said. “We have a great schedule. We’ve lost a whole bunch of kids, so a lot of teams want to wrestle us. The depth has to be built back up. A lot have wrestled before. They just need the mat experience.”

Of the 14 weight classes, eight will have new guys stepping in. Mask is also replacing three state champions. Three-time champ Land Bell and two-time champ Mason Nelson have graduated and are wrestling at the college level now. Nolen Addeo, who also won an individual ring last season, has moved out of state.

Tra’mel McCoy, who went 45-4 last season winning an individual blue ribbon, returns for his senior season. Junior Thomas Patterson is also back after claiming his first individual title with a 50-2 season.

“It was something special,” said Patterson, who is moving up from 106 to 113. “I lost two times at the beach last year. It didn’t sit well with me. I grew a lot. My training is a big thing.”

Avery Brantley heads into his final high school year with big hopes. The state qualifier last season was injured and unable to compete in Huntsville. He will wrestle in the 150-pound division for 2025-26.

“Last year, we had a really good group,” Brantley said. “I think it was the best team to ever come into Tallassee. The prior two years we were runner-up. We were hungry.”

Mask added that leadership from guys like Brantley and Patterson have led to success on the mats.

“They push each other and set expectations. When things are bad, they keep them up. When they’re going good, they keep them humble.”

Brantley and Patterson will be coaching their teammates in an intrasquad meet at THS on Wednesday afternoon. The Purple and Gold match will be a first for Mask, who has 25 years under his belt with the Tallassee wrestling program.

“It’s like a walk-through before our first match next Monday,” said Mask. “(They) dress out and put on the headgear for the first time. We can see some things we need to work on and hopefully have a lot of people come and watch.”

Wrestlers will begin getting loose at 3:30 with matches starting around 4. There is no attendance fee, but a six-pack of Power Ade or case of water is requested.

2025 Schedule