The Gaffney High wrestling program has dedicated coaches, talented wrestlers and support from the school administration.

Now, will the wins follow?

First-year assistant coach Dave Bush says yes.

"The kids have been working real hard and I thik they'll be able to compete," said Bush, who wrestled at Limestone College.

The Indians open the season at the Woodmont Duals this weekend. They'll be assured of facing David Emmanuel High School from Georgia, Wren and Pickens.

Depending on those outcomes, the Indians could wrestle a total of five matches.

Bush said the coaching staff, which includes head coach Larry Lackey and assistant Thomas Voelker, has stressed the basics during the practice sessions. Bush said the wrestlers are eager learners.

"They have a lot of drive to do well," he said.

If numbers mean anything, the season has already been a success for the Indians with as many as 50 wrestlers on the varsity and junior varsity.

Freshman Daniel Ruppe will compete in the 103 lb. weight class, while sophomore Blake Phillips will wrestle at 112 lbs.

Dylan Haney is at 119 lbs. with Garrett Woodworth and Cody Thompson each vying for the spot at 125.

Jaguar Lindsay is at 130, while Axel Bartlett at 135 and Brian Sullivan at 140. Randy Hopson will wrestle at 145 and Ty Jennings is penciled in at 152. Matt Varner will wrestle in the 160 weight class, while Jared Barnhill is at 171 and Chris Perry will man the 189 weight class. Football standouts Stan Easterling and James Costello will wrestle at the 215 and 285 weight classes, respectively.

Bush said Easterling and Costello have shown promise in the preseason.

"We just want our kids to get better every match," he said. "Most of our kids are first or second year wrestlers."