The ‘Dynamic Duo’ moves from the gridiron to the mats

Bryce Smalls was undefeated.

 

But he wasn’t invincible.

 

The talented senior member of the Philip Simmons High School wrestling team entered Dec. 16’s Demon Holiday Classic, hosted by Lugoff-Elgin High School, with a perfect record. Not only that, Smalls had won every match this season by pinning his opponent. But Smalls, who competes in the 190-pound weight division, tore cartilage in his ribs and the match was stopped as Smalls went down to defeat.

 

Coach Anthony Sardelli said Smalls’ road to recovery could take six weeks. Sardelli hopes Smalls can return in time to qualify for the Class AAA state playoffs. The regular season ends Jan. 30 and the season culminates with the state individual championships, which are slated for Feb. 17-18 at the Anderson Civic Center.

 

Smalls played linebacker on the Iron Horse football team and is seeking his third consecutive trip to the state individual wrestling tourney. But he’s not the only Iron Horse grappler with those accomplishments on his resume. Josh Gant also played linebacker for coach Eric Bendig’s squad and is seeking his third trip to the state wrestling meet.

 

Collectively, they are known around the PSHS campus as the “Dynamic Duo” because they are friends, hard workers – and talented.

 

“Being on the team with Josh, whether it’s the football team or the wrestling team has been a great experience. Athletics have allowed us to build a bond,” Smalls said. “We challenge each other during the season.”

 

“It’s been amazing to play with Bryce,” Gant said. “We’re the ‘Dynamic Duo.’ We always have each other’s backs.”

 

Smalls was a state qualifier last winter in the Class AAA championship in the 182-pound classification. He was a bronze medalist as a sophomore, competing at 182 pounds in Class AA.

 

Gant was a state qualifier at 145 pounds last season and at 152 pounds his sophomore season.

 

“I want to get that ring. You have to work hard to be a state champion,” Gant said. “You have to be the first one in the wrestling room, and the last to leave. I’m working hard because I know it’s a grind.”

 

Smalls, who competes at 190 pounds, said pinning a foe is the ultimate sign of success.

 

“That’s what I want to do,” Smalls said. “That’s a goal, that’s success. It’s a good feeling to go out there on the mat and pin the other guy. Even if it takes a while, it’s a good feeling.”

 

Smalls and Gant are anchors in the wrestling room. They also were anchors on the gridiron.

 

The two players have been on the team since they were freshmen and had big roles in the Iron Horses’ success the last three seasons, a stretch in which the Iron Horses posted 28 victories against eight losses,

 

Smalls owns 14 school records, including three for a single game, five records for a single season and six for a career.

 

His 123 tackles this fall was a single-season record and his 344 tackles tops the career list. He also owns the school mark with 10 career fumble recoveries and seven career blocked punts.

 

Gant was solid as a linebacker as well, with 129 tackles.