LAKELAND — McKeel’s Vish Williams never defeated Mulberry’s Raymond Longhorne, trailed 8-2 early in the match and nearly was pinned.

Williams, however, rallied and pinned Longhorne for the upset victory at 138 pounds as McKeel defeated Mulberry 47-34 on Wednesday night in the Round 2 of the Class 1A FHSAA Dual Team Wrestling Tournament at McKeel.

The Wildcats advance to the state quarterfinals, which is next Friday at Osceola High School.

“I’m just happy that my kids gave it their all,” McKeel coach Frank Olinger said. “That’s all that matters to me, that they give it their all. We did what we came to do. I’m proud of all my kids. The dedication that my kids showed that really impressed me.”

McKeel advanced to the Round 2 on Friday by defeating Zephyrhills Christian. Mulberry advanced with an upset victory over No. 4 ranked Tampa Prep, 47-37.

Williams’ upset of Longhorne might have been the difference in the match. Going into the match, Williams had one thing on his mind.

“It was mainly revenge,” he said. “The last time, he really hurt my neck and I really wanted to get him back.”

Longhorne appeared to be in control early as he nearly pinned Williams in the first period and built an 8-2 lead. Williams escaped and came back strong with a pin in the second period at 1:34.

“When he got me on the head, I just rolled over and as soon as I got those points, I got reversals and all of that,” he said. “It was great.”

In the all-Polk match-up, Mulberry got off to the strong start by winning the first-three matches, two by forfeit and one by at 220 points.

McKeel then reeled off six-consecutive wins, all by pins by Guy Yodek (106 pounds), Cody Brown (113), Marlon Beavidez (120), Cole Friend (126), Joey Klein (132) and Williams (138).

“Us and Mulberry have a good rivalry going,” Olinger said. “We look forward to good matches. We’re back and forth most of the time. We have fun going against them.”

McKeel also got at win at 152 from Lucas Kimmel and at 182 from Billy Strickland.

Mulberry’s Christian Dangle got a win with a pin at 160.