Michael Mackfield thought he’d done it.

Mackfield, a Troup High wrestler, appeared to have won an area championship on Saturday when the referee slapped the mat to signal a pin.

The celebration had to be put on hold, though, because the period ran out before Mackfield was awarded the pin.

“I was like, yes, it’s over,” Mackfield said. “But they called it back.”

No worries.

Mackfield came back out in the next period and continued to dominate the match, and he eventually did get a pin to capture an Area 5-AAAA championship at 195 pounds.

Mackfield is one of five Troup wrestlers who qualified for the state sectionals by finishing in the top four in their respective weight class.

Mackfield is the only Troup wrestler heading to state on the heels of an area championship, and he made it happen in dominant fashion.

In the championship match, Mackfield knew early on he’d be able to have his way with his opponent.

“He the beginning of the match, he started backing up and stuff, stalling a little bit,” Mackfield said. “I just had to get after him.”

Mackfield thought he’d won it with the pin that wasn’t, but it was just a matter of time before he ended the suspense.

“I just had to do it all over again,” Mackfield said.

The victory sends Mackfield off to state with plenty of momentum.

“It gives me a lot (of confidence),” Mackfield said. “I know I’ve gotten better. I’ve worked hard.”

Mackfield made it past the sectional round and to the state finals last season, and assistant coach Clint DeMooney said “we expect big things out of him.“

“He gets it done in the wrestling room,” DeMooney added. “That translates on the mat.”

Another Troup wrestler, Adam Love, also made a run at a championship before falling short in the 132-pound championship match.

Along the way to the finals, Love beat LaGrange’s Qua Tucker.

“Love had a great tournament. I tip my hat to him,” LaGrange head coach Scooter Weathers said. “He’s a real good wrestler.”

Three other Troup wrestlers, Cameron Cato (106 pounds), Tanius Harris (170 pounds) and Hudson Newton (220 pounds) qualified for state by finishing fourth.