THOMASVILLE — North Surry wrestling fell to Thomasville 35-26 in Tuesday’s late action.

The two teams were tied 26-all after 12 weights, but the Bulldogs took the final two matches for the nine-point margin.

The maximum points a team can score in a meet is 84. Eight times this season, the Hounds scored 77 or more points. This 26 points was the fewest North scored all year.

Both teams were ranked in the top five in the state 2A coaches poll, and they were evenly matched right up to the end.

Thomasville has seven wrestlers with more than 40 wins. Six of those seven wrestlers pulled out wins, as well as Brett Hokenson (38-9) and Gabriel Brockett (33-3).

The only wrestler to break through with a win against those 40-win athletes was Austin McMillian (39-4), who not only defeated Ahsan Butt (43-7), but dominated the match in a 13-1 major decision.

McMillian (120 pounds) finished the team season with 15 straight wins. Of his four losses, three came on the same day at the King of the Mat Tournament with several 4A teams competing.

“Shrimpy” hasn’t been pinned all season, and his worst defeat was just a 6-0 minor decision to Parkland’s Drew Turner, a two-time state champion considered by some to be the best pound-for-pound wrestler in the state.

Austin Rozier (41-9) also came up with a huge win, edging Corbin Wilson (38-7) in a 4-3 decision at the 132-pound weight class.

Levi Slate (45-4) earned a major decision 15-6 over Keith Clemmons (37-8) in another marquee matchup.

Right behind that, younger brother Cody Slate (23-10) pinned Anthony Brisano (29-19).

Then at 285 pounds, Austin Akers (24-16) won a 3-0 decision over Tequan Williams (13-6).

Coach Eric Jessup noted the hard work put in by C.J. Pruitt at 145 pounds. The junior had started only two matches this season, but with starter Devyn Green out, Pruitt held Lucas Williams (45-6) to a 7-1 minor decision.

Pruitt is strong, said Jessup, who didn’t think Williams would be able to pin him.

However, if Green had been available and could have pinned Williams in the last match of the meet, the teams would have finished tied at 32-all.

Next up for the Hounds is the regional tournament. Seeding for that will be determined at a coaches’ meeting next week.