The Homer High School matmen are looking for one kicker of a panacea to rouse the flu and injury-ridden team from its sick bed to take on area powerhouses at Colony and Wasilla.

The bug and a few tough injuries put the Mariners at a 36-point disadvantage in each dual they held in Seward on Oct. 24.

Despite the odds stacked against the Homer matmen, team leaders continued to battle hard and earn experience, points and a few bragging rights.

Mitch Wyatt, dubbed "Hurricane," went undefeated in Seward, pinning all seven of his opponents and earning the 160-pound championship.

After a tough weekend on the road, the Homer matmen will push hard on the practice mats before taking the fight to the Valley for the annual North-South tournament in Wasilla and Colony.

Mitch Wyatt, Eli Garvey, Larry Croft, Ben Harville, Shlomo Gherman and Travis Catron will wrestle at the varsity level in Wasilla on Oct. 30-31, while their remaining teammates Ve Locklar, Drew Raymond, Joey Resetarits will wrestle JV in Colony along with Lucas Reyes and Chris Alfiche, health permitting.

Larry Croft, at 215-pounds, and Ben Harville, at 285-pounds, also did their part to boost the Mariners, combining for 11 wins with only three losses.

The Mariners were able to call on Drew Raymond, wrestling at 189 pounds and Joey Resetarits, at 140 pounds, for additional wins and their first individual wins of their high school careers.

A six- or sometimes 12-point deficit going into a dual is common with small Alaska teams which often have difficulties filling out every weight class.

However, a 36-point deficit, or six pin falls, is far more challenging and nearly impossible to overcome.

Ultimately, this deficit would be the undoing for the Mariners in Seward.

Ryan M. Long can be reached at ryan.long.@homernews.com.