Rested Porter, Patriots ready for title rematch

Geno Porter is one of the greatest three-sports stars who has ever come out of Fort Dorchester High School. But today, the senior has only one thing on his mind, and that's helping the Patriots win the Class AAAA state wrestling championship.

The showdown against Rock Hill was originally scheduled for Saturday at Ridge View High. But the weekend snow pushed the match to 7 p.m. today at Lexington High School. It is a rematch of last year's state championship when Rock Hill pulled out a 28-24 victory to claim its 15th state title.

At first, Porter felt frustrated when the match was postponed. But he now says it gave some of his teammates a few extra days to get over the bumps and bruises of battling Summerville in the Lower State championship.

"Either way, we're pretty excited to have a chance to win the state championship," said Porter, who also excels in football and track and field. "It's a great challenge to wrestle a team like Rock Hill and have a chance to win a state championship my senior year."

Porter has been all-state in all three sports. He is currently ranked No. 2 in the state in the 215-pound division behind Patrick Thompson of South Pointe.

He will compete in Saturday's individual Lower State match and will conclude his wrestling career next weekend in the individual state meet.

That could mark the end of his high school athletic career. He finished fifth in the state last year in the Class AAAA discus competition. He might skip track and field this spring to focus on his school work and begin mentally preparing for life at The Citadel. He signed a scholarship earlier this month to play football at the military college.

He was a three-year starter for the Patriots at the linebacker position.

Porter made a name for himself his sophomore year, finishing second on the team with 121 tackles, including 11 for a loss. He had three sacks, recovered two fumbles and picked off a pass.

Opposing teams ran away from his side of the field his junior season, but Porter still managed to log

101 tackles, including five for a loss. He had four sacks and recovered two fumbles.

He led his team with 109 tackles last fall, including 8 1/2 for a loss.

Porter also is an excellent student. He's a member of the National Honor Society and takes international baccalaureate classes.

"I am already excited about The Citadel," Porter said. "My teammate Michael Sellars and Del'Javon Simmons (of Burke) are going to The Citadel and they are excited, too.

"But right now, I'm only focused on Rock Hill," Porter added. "Coach (B.D. LaPrad) tells us to approach every match as if we were going up against the greatest team in the world. We just have to wrestle hard and the score will take care of itself."