It wasn’t just a coincidence that the No. 1 and No. 2 teams in the area just happened to be in the championship match up at the Greater Houston area duals all day Saturday at Klein Oak High School. Both squads have proven themselves over the last two weeks and many in the city know they are good.

In the final boys match up, it was Katy Taylor and Klein battling on the championship. With more than 15 teams present, these two squads won at least duals to advance to the championship.

Taylor defeated Cy-Fair (55-21) and Cinco Ranch (45-34) after receiving a first-round bye. But in the end, it was Klein that edged Taylor 38-34.

“Well we were 16-1 coming in here and now were 18-1,” Taylor coach Todd Hart said. “We have had a number of kids step it up today. Even the kids who lost, the whole team really. Every kid did his job today perfectly. It has been great.

Of course all of this is building up for the State Duals, which will be held next week at the Merrell Center in Katy. Hart looks to hold on to the momentum, but first wants to take care of the task of the basics.

“We hope this momentum will carry over to next week,” Hart said. “As long as we can keep the kids focused.”

Klein’s road to the final included victories over College Park (75-12), Katy (67-6), and Westside (47-23). The Bearkats are another team that came into this competition with one loss.

But for coach John Banas, he is looking to finally put together his entire squad.

“We have been performing really well the last couple of weeks and been trying to get everybody healthy and back from grades,” Banas said. “It seems like every time we get some guys back we lose a few more. We’re still missing a couple of better wrestlers at 145 and 189-pounders.

“But the way the kids have competed today is off the charts.”

Banas spoke on the aggressiveness, intensity, and character that he has witnessed from the Bearkat wrestling program over the past few weeks.

Other scores at the Greater Houston duals

Cinco Ranch def. Klein Collins 37-26

Westside def. Klein Oak 45-21

Cy-Fair def. The Woodlands 44-33

Cinco Ranch def. Strake Jesuit 73-9

Klein Collins def. Cypress Creek 64-18

Klein Oak def. Mayde Creek 54-27

Katy def. Cypress Ridge 51-35

Strake Jesuit def. Cypress Creek 42-36

Cypress Ridge def. College Park 66-15

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