Trey Polak of Saucon Valley points the way to the finals after his pin at 285 — Trey Polak of Saucon Valley points the way to the PIAA finals after his pin at 285.

The Saucon Valley Panthers had the “eye of the tiger” to start the PIAA semifinal against the Boiling Springs Bubblers last night and they kept that focus throughout the entire match. For their efforts, they were rewarded with a 42-16 victory and a trip to the 2016 PIAA State Finals where they will take on Brookville–the champs out of District 9. Brookville knocked off Reynolds in the other semifinal matchup to earn the right to face the Panthers.

Starting at 152 pounds, Saucon Valley got off to a quick start with Nathan Harka crafting a major decision. Dylan Yonney followed and claimed his 101st win with a 15-0 tech-fall. Nate Kehs (170) and Blayne Hirschbeck (182) scrapped their way to decisions as the Panthers built a 15-0 lead after four bouts.

Nate Harka locking in one of his six takedowns on the way to a major decision.

Yonney's 101st was a tech-fall tallying a couple of takedowns and a series of near falls — Dylan Yonney’s 101st was a tech-fall tallying a couple of takedowns and a series of near falls.

The Panthers Devan VanVliet (195) fought hard, but dropped a 4-1 decision. Devin Fontanez (220) and Trey Polak (285) had VanVliet’s back and answered with consecutive falls. Fontanez pancaked his Bubbler in :54 while Polak fought off his back and climbed out of a 7-2 deficit with a spectacular pin of his own. The score should have favored the Panthers after seven bouts 27-3, but the frustrated Bubbler coaching staff was docked a couple of points for arguing with the referees. The score was adjusted to 27-1.

Saucon Valley Panther Trey Polak clawed his way to a pin — Saucon Valley Panther Trey Polak clawed his way off his back to a pin after being down 7-2.

A forfeit to Saucon’s Nick Rosengrant (106) followed by a Bubbler fall at 113 made the score 33-7. But Jack Hill (120), Jonah Zych (126) and Jason Jones (138) would seal the deal with their hard-fought decisions.

Saucon's Jack Hill battled his way to a 5-4 decision over one tough Bubbler — Saucon’s Jack Hill battled his way to a 5-4 decision over one tough Bubbler.

The Saucon Valley wrestlers now look forward to the 2016 PIAA finals against Brookville. Wrestling starts at 1 p.m. So hop in the car and head out to Hershey to see the show. C’mon out and support these Panthers and cheer them to a state title. The Source will be with you!