The Derry wrestling program has a rich history.
It has produced numerous PIAA and WPIAL champions and placewinners.
But missing from the Trojans’ trophy case and wall of fame before Saturday was a WPIAL team title.
Well, the Trojans changed that.
The Trojans turned in a dominating performance at Peters Township High School’s AHN Arena in what could be the first of multiple team titles.
Derry defeated No. 3 McGuffey, 48-16, in the semifinals and then took down No. 1 and reigning champion Burrell, 37-13, to earn the Class 2A crown.
The Trojans (13-0) start six freshmen and only have two seniors in the lineup.
“Things went pretty much as planned,” Derry coach Troy Dolan Jr. said. “We minimized the damage. We knew it would be a battle.”
Things started well for the Trojans in the final. Freshman Patrick Bulger won by technical fall at 114 pounds, and sophomore Matthew Fernell won by a major decision at 121 for a 9-0 lead.
Burrell senior Cam Baker earned a hard-fought 13-10 victory at 127, and Jacob Stewart won a decision at 133 to cut the Derry lead to 9-6.
Derry freshman Michael McNeal won at 139 to make it 12-6.
“We had a couple matches that did not go our way,” Burrell coach Steve Ansani said. “We did not get the bonus points we needed. Derry is good. It just was not our day.”
Burrell (15-3) took a 13-12 lead when Julian Bertucci won 1-0 at 145 and Liam Jones won at major at 152.
After that, Derry went on a roll by winning the final six matches as Mason Horwat (172) recorded a pin and freshman Mason Keesecker (107) won by technical fall. Majors by senior Ewan Olson (160) and junior Brady Brown (189) and decisions by freshman Ty Blasko (215) and senior Justin Papuga (285) helped Derry pull away.
“Winning this title is a testament of all the hard work they have put in,” Dolan said. “If you put in time and put in the effort, good things will happen.
“The freshmen still have work to do. They work hard and love the sport.”
After defeating McGuffey in the semifinals for the second consecutive season, the Trojans went after the Bucs, who had won 19 Class 2A titles, including the past two and 17 of the past 19.
Burrell defeated Derry last year, but the Trojans used that loss as motivation.
“It was something we talked about at practice,” Brown said. “Winning this is huge for the program and the community.
“This is just a start. Our mindset is to win bigger things.”
Derry won 10 of 13 matches against McGuffey and got a pin from Olson and technical falls from Bulger, Dylan Bateman, Horwat and Brown.
McGuffey (17-2) had pins by Tucker Main (121) and Victor Bonus (152).
Burrell used pins by Baker (127), Jacob Stewart (139), Bertucci (145) and Jones (152) to edge Laurel, 39-36.
In the third-place match, McGuffey defeated Laurel, 36-31.
All four teams qualified for the PIAA tournament, which begins Tuesday.
Derry hosts the District 6 runner-up. Burrell visits District 5 champion Chestnut Ridge.
McGuffey will face the District 10 runner-up at the District 6 champion, and Laurel (17-5) heads east to face the District 4 runner-up at the District 3 champion.