HERSHEY - Getting a quick start has been key for Josh Evans in his journey to the PIAA Championships this season.

The trend continued in the 138-pound quarterfinals, as the Palmerton senior scored early and held off a late scramble to claim a 4-2 decision win over Jefferson-Morgan's Jason Miller. With the win Evans will advance to the semifinals against Brookville's Brock Zacheri later this evening."It just feels awesome. It's a huge monkey off my back, just knowing that no matter what, I'm going to get a medal," said Evans. "But I can't get complacent. I want to try and get as far up on the podium as I can."Now I just feel like I can let it all out there."Evans wasted little time against Miller, scoring a takedown 10 seconds into the match, which caused an ankle injury the Jefferson-Morgan senior suffered earlier this season to flair up.But Evans knew he had to keep attacking, and he did just that, scoring another takedown before the end of the first."I can't really feel sorry for my opponent," Evans said. "I just have to stick to my offense."I just knew that I really had to get after him. And the leg that he injured was the leg I was shooting to anyways, since that's my strong side. I knew I had to keep pushing and not let him come back."Evans allowed an escape to Miller in the second and thwarted several takedown attempts in the third to hang on for the win.A fast start also helped Panther Valley's Richard Nase advance to the quarterfinals.But unlike yesterday's preliminary bout, Nase was unable to get to his offense against Boiling Springs' Kyle Taylor, dropping a 3-1 decision."The kid is very good on his feet and stays in good position," said Panther Valley assistant coach Rich Bower. "Richard just couldn't get him off-balance."Rich moves very well on his feet, but couldn't find his opening."Taylor opened the scoring in the second period, earning two back points before allowing Nase to escape, giving the Boiling Springs senior a 2-1 lead after two.Taylor scored an escape early in the third and held Nase at bay throughout the rest of the bout.While disappointed with the outcome, Bower knows Nase is far from finished, as he will now move to the consolation bracket."We just want to try and get a win and have fun," the coach said. "Hopefully, he can come back and get a win."Consolation

round action

After dropping their opening bouts, Tamaqua’s Colin Mashack, Panther Valley’s Lenny Ogozalek and Rian Shubeck and Lehighton’s Connor Frey were all faced with win-or-go-home situations in their first round consolation matches at the end of day one.

Despite being faced with tough draws, Ogozalek, Mashack and Frey were able to prevail and move on to the second day to keep their medal hopes alive.   

Panther Valley’s Richard Nase made a quick turnaround after his quarterfinal loss, scoring a 5-3 decision win over Fort Leboeuf’s Garrett Reinwald in his second round consolation bout. Unfortunately for Nase’s teammate Len Ogozalek, Lehighton’s Connor Frey and Tamaqua’s Colin Mashack, the dream of moving on in the tournament ended with consolation round losses. Ogozalek suffered a 6-3 decision loss to Montgomery’s Kyle Drick, Mashack was dealt a 6-4 setback to Pius X’s Dante Albanese and Frey dropped a 3-2 decision to Hamburg’s Cody Miller.

Nase scored a first period takedown and wrestled with the lead for the entire match, putting Reinwald on his heels and never allowing him to get into a rhythm.

Unlike Nase, Ogozalek was never able to get to his offense, trailing for the entire match, as Drick was able to control the tempo and pace.

Mashack was facing Albanese for the third straight week, and was once again unable to defeat the Royals’ senior. Much like Ogozalek, Mashack trailed the entire contest and was never able work on his offense.

After losing to Miller in the third-place bout at regionals last week, Frey was once again unable to solve the Hamburg senior, allowing a second period takedown that proved to be the difference in a close