LaGrange High’s Logan Pitts knows he can wrestle with the best the state has to offer.

He proved that last weekend in the Class AAAA west sectional in Pickens County.

Taking on a wrestler who won a state championship last season, Pitts found himself leading late in the third round, but he ended up losing right at the end.

Pitts went on to finish seventh in the 182-pound weight class, and that allowed him to qualify for the state finals in Macon.

Pitts is one of five Grangers who’ll participate in the three-day event that’ll be held in the Macon Coliseum.

Pitts takes a lot of confidence from the near victory last weekend.

“I was beating him 7-6, and he ended up beating me,” Pitts said. “That was a big disappointment, but it felt good because it made me feel like if I can go and wrestle with him, I can end up on the podium.”

Pitts, a senior, has invested a lot in the sport, and it has helped him reach the ultimate stage.

“From the first day of practice to the last day of state, you always try to give it your all,” he said. “Honestly, it takes more dedication to be a wrestler than any other sport.”

Now, Pitts could be a few days away from placing at state.

To earn a spot on the podium, a wrestler has to finish in the top six in his weight class.

“All you have to do is win you first two matches (to place),” Pitts said. “That’s my goal.”

Another senior hoping to snare some state glory is Hunter Richardson, who finished seventh in the 152-pound weight class in the state sectional.

Richardson said a key to his success will be starting strong.

“If I win my first match, the rest of my bracket will be a lot easier,” Richardson said. “If I lose my first match, it’ll be wrestle backs and it’ll be hard all the way through.”

Richardson said if he wins that opening match, “I feel like I can make the podium.”

Devonta Williams, a senior, has been on a roll the past few weeks.

After winning an area championship, he finished fourth at the state sectional at 220 pounds.

Looking at the draw, Williams anticipates a major challenge if he gets past his opening-round opponent.

“My toughest match will probably be in the second round,” Williams said. “He was last year’s (state) runnerup. If I beat him, I’ll definitely be placing.”

While the three seniors bring a wealth of experience to the mats of Macon, everything is new for freshman Emanuel Mann, who placed eighth at 285 pounds in the state sectional.

Mann has had a terrific debut season as a high-school wrestler, and he said he’s approached each match as a learning experience.

“I’ve learned from my mistakes, and I’ve studied other opponents,” Mann said. “I’m proud that I’ve made it all the way to state.”

Another Granger making his state finals debut is sophomore Kyler Hall, who was eighth at 138 pounds in the sectional.

“This is my first time actually being on varsity for a full year. I’m a sophomore, so I made it. I’m happy about that,” Hall said. “I want to go out there and see what it’s like and wrestle my best and see if I can place. If I don’t, I look forward to next year and the year after that.”