MIDDLEBURG - Middleburg High's wrestling team got an early 17-9 lead on Class 2A rival Clay High in their dual match at Middleburg to set the tone for a dramatic finish on senior night and alumni appreciation night in the Carrie Prewitt Gym, but the Blue Devils spoiled the party with a 36-33 come-from-behind win Wednesday night.

"Both sides wrestled hard, but we had the upper weight advantage and came on strong at the end," said Clay junior Landon Martin, a third-place state finisher last year, who won a tough 3-1 match at 190 in just his third match since a football hand injury. "I got a little tired out there without the match time, but my experience got me through the end."

An expected Clay vs Middleburg FHSAA Duals region semifinals rematchup did not happen with Pace High defeating Middleburg in the region duals opener. Clay eventually lost to Pace in the region finals.

At Middleburg, Clay started the night with a pin from heavyweight Jayshawn McCloud, but the Bronco lower weights got back quickly with pins from Jonathan Harp and Gavin Fisher at 106 and 113 putting Middleburg up 12-6. Both teams traded wins with Calvin Wells at 120 for Clay and a tech win from Nathan Harvey winning over Benjamin Mitts scoring the match at 17-9.

Landon Willard and Colt Daigle started the Blue Devils' reversal with Daigle pinning to give Clay an 18-17 lead, but Middleburg's Chris McKeel and Micah Thomas kept things dicey with a pin and major to turn the scoreboard upside down with Middleburg now up 27-18.

In one of the most exciting matches of the night, at 157, pitting Clay's Calvin St. Clair and Middleburg's Daniel Raines, the seesaw match went to St. Clair on a 7-5 decision before Drew Holmquist stormed the gym with a quick pin to tie the score at 27-27.

A thunderous pin from Clay's Drew Loveland got the Blue Devil lead back at 175 to give Clay a 33-27 lead.

In a return to action from injury, Clay High state medalist Landon Martin, in his third match for the season, grinding out a 3-1 win over Middleburg's Keensdee Roseme to 36-27.

Middleburg's Porter Loveland got the final points with a pin at 215 to 36-33.