On Day 1 of the PIAA Class AA wrestling championships, the pair of nationally-ranked wrestlers racked up a combined 42 points in less than three-and-a-half minutes of allotted time, reiterating their respective titles of bracket favorites in dominate fashion to advance to state quarters.

Even wrestling on the grand stage, they remain blink-and-you’ll-miss-it wrestlers. And as it stands, neither has failed to reach the state finals, with Johnson eying his fourth appearance.

“I’m just trying to enjoy every moment, every match. Just trying to take it in and wrestle my hardest,” said Johnson on how he feels kicking off his final run at the event. “Definitely feel great at this tournament this year, so I’m excited for the matches.”

The Muncy senior was electric from the initial handshake, securing his first takedown seven seconds into the match and racking up two more through the following 35 – the final which he translated into a seven-point move.

Coy Bryson of Montgomery is taken down by Tanner Rock, Littlestown during the PIAA Wrestling Championships in Hershey. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Thirty seconds later, the match was over, with Johnson posting 23 points off five takedowns and eight back points with 43 seconds still left on the first-period clock. That win came against No. 14 Gary Kiselka of Franklin.

“(I’m) just taking it match-by-match and just trying to push the pace, wrestle hard,” said Johnson on what worked for him throughout the match.

“Basically, I’m just trying to stay relaxed and not hype up each match. I think maybe years before I’d get a little too excited before the matches. I think I’ve been doing a good job at staying calm right before the match.”

He’ll face District 6 champion Landon Erdman of Huntingdon in the quarterfinals Friday morning, with Erdman coming into the tournament ranked No. 8 in the state. Potentially awaiting him in later rounds are Lucas Lawler (Bishop McDevitt) and Jason Singer (Faith Christian) – ranked No. 14 and 19 in the country respectively.

“I’m excited for the competition,” said Johnson on the prospects. I” haven’t had many full matches since Powerade, so I’m excited to go out there and wrestle more competitive matches.”

Brady Kostick of Richland controls the action as he wrestles Chase Shaner of Hughesville during the PIAA Wrestling Championships in Hershey. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Against No. 13 Matthew Danna (Quaker Valley) Harer also racked up five takedowns throughout his match, three coming in the first period – two in the first 25 seconds – and two in the first 11 seconds of the second to wrap things up.

With the victory, the Montgomery junior matched his win total from last season (54), winning his 108th straight match in the process. Though he’s still struggling to put on weight amidst his recovery from RIME, that isn’t stopping him from wrestling at another level.

“It’s not really about weight; it’s about your mentality,” said Harer. “My mentality going in is I want to score as many points as I can. I’m glad to be here, I’m feeling good. I’m getting better each day.”

Being the No. 1 seed at 139, Harer has the benefit of competing on the other side of the bracket compared to nationally ranked Sam Herring (Bishop McCort) and No. 3 Camden Baum (Bishop McDevitt) – wrestlers he’s edged out on big stages before. Nonetheless, he isn’t tempted to look ahead, with his primary focus being on his quarterfinal bout against No. 4 Gideon Bracken.

“I’m just looking one match at a time, but the bracket’s laid out in my favor,” said Harer. “I’m looking to ride off my take downs, get back points. I’m just trying to work through all positions.”

Mason Mordan of Hughesville takes down Marshall Eckenrode of Cambria Heights during the PIAA Wrestling Championships in Hershey. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Their teammates had their ups and downs.

Muncy junior Gage Swank saw a rough first draw in two-time PIAA runner-up Dom Deputy, falling to the Chestnut Ridge junior by third-period tech fall before falling short of the tournament-saving rally in the following bout. And for Montgomery, Max ‘Trace’ Furman and Coy Bryson each endured opening defeats.

But though Furman was eliminated in his next bout, Bryson remains alive as the team’s second representative heading into Friday. Facing elimination, the senior racked up three takedowns and six back points on his way to a second-period tech fall against No. 26 ZeShawn Williams (Freedom), earning his second state win in the process.

“They know what to do,” said Harer prior to his teammates’ elimination bouts.

Outside of Montgomery and Muncy, Hughesville also enters Day 2 with a representative still on the board. Though Chase Shaner fell in a hard-fought decision to cap his run, fellow senior Mason Mordan still holds tournament stock, going 1-1 on Day 1 with a strong, 7-2 decision victory over No. 22 Marshall Eckenrode (Cambria Heights).

Coy Bryson, Montgomery escapes the graps of Zeshawn Williams, Freedom Area during the PIAA Wrestling Championships in Hershey. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

While Day One comes to a close, there’s still plenty to look forward to in terms of the area and in general. With over half the PIAA Wrestling Championships still to go, incredible days of wrestling are on the horizon.

“The environment is great; I love this environment,” expressed Harer. “It’s what you work all year for.”

Brady Kostick of Richland controls the action as he wrestles Chase Shaner of Hughesville during the PIAA Wrestling Championships in Hershey. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette