Despite giving up 15 pounds and seven inches of height, Tyler Hoffer approached his bout in his final home match with the same level of determination as usual, like a gladiator. The Upper Perkiomen senior says he's willing to win at all costs.

            "I was fighting for my life," Hoffer said.

Tyler Hoffer, right, battles Pottsgroves Dominic  Sithens for leg control at 160 pounds in the Feb- ruary 1 match at Upper Perk.

            Hoffer's victory at 160 pounds last week helped spark a Frontier Division title celebration by the Indians. A strong finish carried them to a 40-21 victory over Pottsgrove in the Pioneer Athletic Conference on Wednesday, Feb. 1.

            Tommy Flud (215 pounds) and Branden Rozanski (133) registered pins to help the Tribe rally from a nine-point deficit. The team captured the final five matches, and six of the last seven, to clinch its fourth division title in the last six seasons.

            Hoffer (10-8), who weighed in at just 145 pounds, scored an early 4-2 victory over Dominic Sithens to allow the Tribe to stay close and clinch its third division title in four seasons. The East Greenville resident, who measures 5'6, parlayed an early takedown against Sithens, a 6-foot-1 senior from Pottsgrove, into a win.

            Head coach Steve Adam instructed Hoffer to add weight in order to get over 145 pounds. Hoffer, who finished sixth at sectionals last season, says he drank three bottles of water and consumed some additional food.

            According to Adam, Hoffer expressed a willingness to do whatever would help the team. The wrestler said he would have done anything to win on Senior Night with a division title at stake.

            "Tyler never backs down from a challenge," the coach said. "He's got all the heart in the world.

            Despite his size disadvantages, Hoffer looked for an ankle takedown. He got it early in the first period.

            Hoffer said that as soon he scored the takedown, his confidence swelled. He accomplished the goal of riding out Sithens for the rest of the period.

            "I knew I was the better wrestler," said Hoffer, who scored the decisive reversal late in the second period to snap a 2-2 tie.

            Down 15-6 through six matches, the Indians won six of the final seven bouts. Flud (15-10) started the comeback with a first-period fall against Mihaliak.

            After a forfeit loss at 285 pounds, the Tribe captured the final five bouts. Ben Godshall (23-6) started the run with a 9-0 win over Anthony Testa at 107.

            Gabe Tulone (25-7), Zane Saeger (14-7) and Brandon Godshall (23-9) were awarded forfeit wins at 114, 121 and 127 pounds, respectively. Rozanski capped the match with a 48-second pin at James Vargara at 133.

            Gabe Sanfelice (18-12) added a victory at 145 pounds for the Indians in the match that started at 139 pounds. He defeated Brandon Rivera 5-3.

            Adam lauded the efforts of Roy Cobb (139), Drew Bennett (172) and Chidike Eruba (189) in defeat. He said all three performed well enough to avoid losing multiple team points.

           The Indians conclude the dual meet portion of their schedule on Feb. 11 at the Panther Duals at Strath Haven High School in Delaware County.

            The individual tournament is scheduled to commence two weeks later.  Perkiomen Valley will host the District 1 Class AAA Section North Tournament.