The Eagles jumped to a 39-10 lead with five matches to go, which is when the evidence to Harner's trepidation arose.
After winning seven of the opening nine bouts by pin, major decision, or technical fall, Norristown lost four of the last five matches, including two by pin and one by forfeit at 106, where they had no one to fill the role.
Overall, Norristown took eight of 14 matches. Six Eagles won by pin.
Brett Harner (160), Shane Springer (170), and Larry Gordon (heavyweight) each won their seventh consecutive match by pin. Brett Harner and Springer, ranked No. 3 and No. 2 in the state in their respective weight classes by PA Power, have combined for a 37-5 record with 27 pins this season, and both figure to be top contenders for individual state titles.
Gordon wrestled up two classes for the match; he usually wrestles at 195, where he is ranked No. 11 in the state. Contrary to his coach, Gordon thinks his team can do some damage in postseason dual meets.
"I think we're getting better," Gordon said. "I think we should do well in state duals."
Zach Fuentes, Norristown's 113-pounder and No. 5 in the state, pinned Tommy Lloyd in 2 minutes, 49 seconds. Sophomore 138-pounder Mike Springer began the match with his 12th pin of the season, decking Anthony DeLaurentis in 24 seconds.
Throw in Juan Carbajal (winner by pin at 182), Tyler Letrinko (major decision at 195), and Jesse Prante (tech fall at 220), and you have Norristown's big guns, as good as any top eight in the district.
If it wins big in individual matches, Norristown can garner enough on any given day to compete with anybody in the area. One slip could be dire.
"They have seven kids that are going to win all the time," Upper Moreland coach Dave Bolich said of the Eagles. "So, they have to win big enough."
