Buckeye Local’s Brian Palmer Jr. turns Martins Ferry’s Chase Goff Wednesday night. Palmer earned a pin but the Purple Riders prevailed.

CONNORVILLE — It was business as usual for Martins Ferry Wednesday night. The Purple Riders posted lop-sided victories over Southern Local and Buckeye Local in a triangular meet on the Panthers’ mat.

Head coach Chad Ware’s up-and-coming squad pinned the Indians 48-28 before using nine forfeits in rolling past the Panthers, 60-24.

“A couple of good wins. The one over Southern Local was a little bit better than (last) Saturday,” Ware said of a 42-39 squeaker. “We’ve got some guys that are really improving and we are starting to get everyone healthy and in the lineup.

“Our guys are working towards the postseason,” he added. “With the COVID and everything, we’re taking it one day at a time.”

In their first dual, the Purple Riders received falls from Chase Goff (152), George Hulsey (160) and Zeke Bruney (285) while Kameron Hughes (182) and Zak Dobson (220) earned decisions.

Kyler Oliver (106), Dylan Ward (113), Trey Regis (132) and Noah Duck (170) all received forfeits.

Against the Panthers, Ward and Hughes won by pin. Oliver, Jonathan Rossano (126), Regis, Tyler Donaher (138), Shayne Fogle (145), Duck, Dobson and Bruney were all awarded forfeits.

Buckeye Local actually won three of the five contested matches against Martins Ferry and three of four in a 39-24 loss to Southern Local, but head coach Guy Nestor knew going in that forfeits were going to be the main factor.

“We’re looking for more head-to-head matches going into these duals. I’m looking at whether we can get more wins than losses in those matches,” Nestor noted. “When you give up so many weight classes (due to forfeits), that’s what you have to go with.”

Trevor Herbert (113), Brian Palmer Jr. (152) and Ayden Krupinski (160) all recorded pins against the Purple Riders. Herbert needed just 49 seconds while Palmer Jr. won a battle of returning state qualifiers in 1:42 and Krupinski needed 5:38 to stop Hulsey.

“Brian dominated his match against the Goff kid, but that’s what he needs right now,” Nestor pointed out. “He just needs to get matches against quality opponents to get him ready for the state (tournament) run.

“That was a huge won for Ayden,” Nestor allowed. “He’s at 160 now and that should give him a lot more confidence down the stretch.”

Martins Ferry is still in the chase for the OVAC Class 3A Dual Meet Championship. The Purple Riders are currently second to Barnesville, but Ware isn’t worried one bit about those standings.

“We don’t put a lot of stock into those. We just talk about the teams that we are wrestling and get ready for them,” Ware said.

Palmer Jr., Krupinski and Alexio Morales (195) all pinned their Southern Local opponents. Logan Dentz (113) won by forfeit. Morales won by forfeit against Martins Ferry.