Feb 13, 2005 By Jeremy Elliott For The 4 min read

HERSHEY – Easton was supposed to be unbeatable. Or the next closest thing, anyway. The Red Rovers were the perennial wrestling power that was a sure thing to capture its fifth straight Class AAA crown this weekend at Giant Center in Hershey.

They were decent in the heavier weights, but had a murderous middle of the lineup that made winning a given.

But when an emotional Josh Martin walked towards a screaming mass of his brethren with his arms raised high after claiming a 4-2 decision at 145, it signified the unthinkable.

Yes, Easton’s run is officially over.

The Connellsville Falcons (28-3) shocked the Pennsylvania wrestling world with a clean sweep of the last five bouts and a dynasty-ending 34-25 victory to win the PIAA Class AAA Team Championship.

“It still hasn’t hit me,” an exhausted Martin said. “We knew what we had to do, and each of us went out and did the job. This is like a dream come true.”

With his team leading 28-25 with two matches to go, Martin knew the outcome rested on his shoulders.

The senior hit a pair of takedowns in the first and fought off a furious rally in the last minute by Easton’s Andrew Goldstein to start the celebration. One that was long overdue after the Falcons lost to the Red Rovers 39-18 in last year’s final.

“Just to sit in the opposite chair from someone like (Easton head coach) Steven Powell and compete is humbling,” said Falcon head coach Thomas Dolde, who also saw his team knock off Nazareth 35-19 in the semifinals. “I think winning justifies you being there to compete.

“I haven’t really thought about ending their streak. I look at it more as our kids fulfilling a goal. This is great.”

The improbable run started at 130 with the Falcons’ chances looking bleak trailing 25-15.

Steven Bell was facing Josh Oliver (32-5) and was trailing 4-3 with just over 10 seconds remaining in the third.

That’s when Bell executed probably the move of the tournament and changed the fortunes of his team.

On the cusp of being pinned, Bell hit a beautiful reversal and pinned Oliver with one second left to bring his team to within 25-21.

“Josh Oliver is a great wrestler,” Bell said. “I think he got a little tired, and I out-wrestled him.

“I kind of sat out of the pin, and he dipped his hips low. I came over the top and was able to get the pin.”

The move started a windfall in Connellsville’s favor.

Energized by his teammate, Ashtin Primus registered a 17-5 major over Colin Dailey at 135.

There were more heroics. This time, they were provided by Zach Snyder at 140.

Trailing 3-2 with seven seconds left, Snyder hit a reversal and gained near-fall points to down Alex Krom 7-3 and give the Falcons a 28-25 lead.

Martin took care of the rest, giving his team a 31-25 lead with one bout to go and the tiebreaker in hand. Buddy Sines closed out the run with a solid 7-5 decision over Braylin Williams at 152.

Easton (19-2) built an early lead on the strength on pins by Sal Crivellaro (160), Jordan Oliver (103) and 2004 PIAA State runner-up Seth Ciasulli at 125.

The Falcons countered with decisions by Joel Doppelheuer (171) and Alan Porter (189). Kody Pujia (112) added a decision and Melvin Warrick netted a pin at 275.

Porter’s match sparked controversy when the clock operator didn’t start the clock with 22 seconds remaining and Porter ahead 3-2.

Easton’s David Crowell took Porter down with four seconds left for an apparent victory. After a lengthy stoppage for a gathering of PIAA officials, it was determined that there was a five-second delay of starting the clock, nullifying the winning move.

Easton coach Steven Powell viewed it as one of many opportunities lost.

“Oliver controlled Bell the entire way and got caught,” Powell said. “That was a nine point swing. That was big. We were still in the driver’s seat but let it get away.”

Burrell 35, Mount Pleasant 18

Mount Pleasant (21-7) dropped a tough 35-18 decision to Burrell in the third-place match.

Mark Mears’ squad was poised to make a run for the finals, but were upended by eventual Class AA runner-up Reynolds 32-24 in the semifinals.

The Vikings were able to bounce back to defeat Danville in the third consolation round to earn a berth in the third-place match.