A 22-match win streak came to an end last Friday, when Burrell lost to Fort LeBoeuf, 45-22.

The Buccaneers were the only Class AA team in the state to post an unblemished record last season, as they won 21 consecutive matches en route to WPIAL and PIAA titles.

Burrell opened this season with a 55-21 win over Valley, which increased the win streak to 22 matches. The loss to Fort LeBoeuf ended hopes of consecutive unbeaten seasons.

"We've had to deal with injuries and academic problems during the first couple weeks of the season," Burrell coach Chris Como said. "We had five kids academically ineligible the first week. Three of the five came back for the second week.

"Not being a teacher at Burrell, it's hard for me to crack the whip. The kids have to learn how important academics are to their future. Hopefully, they learned their lesson."

The academic problems were evident in Burrell's first two matches, as the Buccaneers forfeited two weight classes in each match.

"It's hard to beat a quality team such as Fort LeBoeuf when you're spotting them 12 points," Como said. "We're also dealing with a few nagging injuries that carried over from football season.

"It's nothing they can't work through. We're still a work in progress."

Burrell's official start to the season was Dec. 5, as the Buccaneers traveled to Ohio for the Ironman Tournament, which is sponsored by Walsh Jesuit High School in Stowe, Ohio.

"The Ironman is considered by many to be the strongest [high school] tournament in the country," Como said. "We finished in the top 20 at No. 19 and had one place-winner. We also had six others who finished among the top 12 [in their weight classes], one win short of placing."

Dave Makara was Burrell's only place-winner. He posted a 3-3 record to finish sixth at 125.

"Dave is off to a great start," Como said. "He did a nice job last year as a freshman, but didn't wrestle in the postseason tournaments."

Jeremy Landowski (119) and Brian Beattie (285) posted 3-2 records at the Ironman, while teammates Chuck Makara (112), Tyler Berger (130), Travis McKillop (135) and Derek Edwards (189) were 2-2.

"I was pleased with our performance at the Ironman Tournament," Como said. "We had 12 kids entered and seven won at least two bouts."

The loss to Fort LeBoeuf was one of several dual meets wrestled at the Erie Civic Center on Friday. The event was billed as the "War at the Shore."

"Penn-Trafford wrestled Erie Cathedral Prep in the match before ours," said Como, referring to the Warriors 35-27 loss to Cathedral Prep.

"It was a good way to feature some very competitive dual meets."

The Ironman Tournament is the first of four tournaments on Burrell's schedule. The Buccaneers are also entered in the Powerade Tournament (Dec. 29-30), Westmoreland County Coaches Association Tournament (Jan. 9-10) and the National Federation of High Schools Duals at Easton (Jan. 16-17).

"We face stiff competition in all four tournaments," Como said. "But I like it that way. You have to wrestle the best to be the best. The experience we pick up at these tournaments will help prepare us for the postseason."

Burrell entered last night's match at Riverview with a 1-0 record in Section 3B. The Buccaneers are off until the Powerade Tournament.

"We've had to deal with a couple bumps in the road in the first few weeks, but our goal remains the same," Como said. "Our goal is to defend our WPIAL and PIAA titles."