Rick Chaussard has coached small squads before, but not to this extent.

Chaussard, the wrestling coach at Fort Cherry High School, is experiencing a severe shortage of wrestlers.

"We have eight kids out for the team," Chaussard said. "I've had small squads before, but this is the [smallest] I've ever had. I've been averaging 13 to 15 kids for the past few years. I had a group of five kids decide not to wrestle for various reasons. Some have switched to other sports, while others don't want to put in the time required to be a successful wrestler."

Chaussard said he is not totally surprised by the situation, but didn't expect it to occur until next season.

"I knew this was going to happen, but didn't think it would hit this badly for another year or two," Chaussard said. "We have five kids in the junior high program, the same number we had last year. We have kids involved in the youth program, but are losing kids from sixth to seventh grade."

Chaussard may be disappointed with the turnout, but is happy with the talent he has in the practice room.

"The upside is that the kids we have are talented," Chaussard said. "We will be forfeiting at least six weight classes, so I'm putting more of an emphasis on the individual tournaments."

Fort Cherry's lineup includes five wrestlers who posted 20 or more victories last season -- Zack Morris (20-16 at 112), Adam Lucarini (26-10 at 125), Sam Guidi (36-7 at 171), Gary Kiefer (29-10 at 189) and Corey Garry (31-11 at 215).

Guidi is a two-time PIAA qualifier.

South Side Beaver boasts a pair of PIAA qualifiers who are heading in different directions. Junior David Demor (33-9) is moving up, while senior Colin Checkan (38-10) is moving down -- in weight class, that is.

Checkan is a three-year starter who competed at 140, 135, and 145 the past three seasons. Demor has been at 119 and 135 the past two seasons. Both qualified for the PIAA tournament last season and Demor earned place-winner status by finishing seventh.

"David had a growth spurt and is moving from 135 to 145," Rams coach Jerry "Bear" McCoy said. "Colin decided to move from 145 down to 140. Both feel comfortable with their decisions. Both can wrestle with anybody in their weight class."

Demor and Colin are two of three returning starters who had 20 or more wins for the Rams last season. The other is Patrick Malcomb (29-12 at 285).

"Pat [Malcomb] has left the team for personal reasons," McCoy said. "We're hoping he returns to the lineup soon."

Carlynton came within one win of a WPIAL playoff berth in Section 1-AA. The Cougars had five starters graduate, including PIAA heavyweight champion Jordan Roussos. Carlynton has two returning starters who recorded 20 or more wins last season, Mark Irwin (28-12 at 119) and Montana Trombetta (26-13 at 145).

South Fayette's Nick Carr is a returning PIAA place-winner. Carr, a junior, (38-8) won a WPIAL title and placed fifth in the PIAA tournament at 145 pounds.

Mike White's "High School Sports Edition" videos are featured exclusively on PG+, a members-only web site from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Our introduction to PG+ gives you all the details.