By Michael Butler

For the fourth straight season, the Tallassee wrestling team has reached the AHSAA Duals Semifinals. The Tigers beat Orange Beach (69-15) and Bayside (59-21) on Friday at THS to clinch their spot. Alexandria, Oak Grove and Deshler are the other Class 1A-4A qualifiers.

“They really wanted this and they’re keeping it alive,” Tallassee head coach John Mask said. “They keep wrestling hard. They’re even ready to come work Monday on their off day and correct some mistakes. They’ll be the first to tell you we’ve got some things we can get better at.”

Tallassee carries 36-1 duals record into the “Final Four” with aspirations of repeating last year’s championship. The team’s only defeat this season came in the finals of the “Beast at the Beach” championship at Fort Walton Beach to Wakulla, Fla. (37-33). That loss snapped a streak of 73 consecutive duals match wins and was the first since losing to Scottsboro in the duals final in 2024.

“Going in, I knew we would be good,” Mask said of expectations, “but they’ve really grown up fast and outdone themselves. I can’t say enough about the kids, their work ethic and leadership. I’m tickled.”

Mask is one win shy of 700 victories, now in his 24th as head coach and 26th overall at Tallassee.

“It’s a culture. They expect to win. It’s a blessing to have them. They buy in. They know what we expect as coaches and they preach the same thing.”

Tallassee won the 2014 team state championship under Mask and swept the duals and traditional format titles last year. His teams have compiled a 177-4 duals record over the past five seasons.

WTLS – Score 94.7/Fun 101.1 will have full coverage from Birmingham beginning with the “Wake-Up Call” on Friday, Jan. 23 at 6 a.m. Wrestling starts at 9 a.m. “River Region Sports” will also broadcast from the “Magic City” at noon on Friday.

Schedule/Results