TIFTON — Santa Claus seems to have arrived early for Tift County wrestling this year.

Shawn Watson’s Blue Devils are on a roll. Following the success of their own duals, Tift finished as one of the top teams in Adel last week.

After two days of the Hornet Duals, the Blue Devils are 22-11. They will have a change of pace starting today, wrestling their first individual-type tournament at Valdosta’s Wildcat Invitational. The tournament wraps Saturday.

The Blue Devils spent two days at the Hornet Duals in Adel, where they went 9-2 and could be considered the third place finisher. Palm Bay, Fla., was first and Harris County finished second.

Friday’s duals saw Tift win four times. Pierce County fell by a 53-24 score, Lamar County by 57-24, Cook by 80-0 and Bainbridge, 72-12.

“I was proud of the boys,” Watson said.

Saturday, they prevailed 77-6 over Central (Macon), 84-0 against Dodge County and 75-3 over Berrien. Losses were to Harris (49-30) and Palm Bay (45-27). Watson’s team had an easy time with the Central Chargers, but he had nothing but praise for what he thinks is a young team.

Watson updated wins and losses for many of his wrestlers. Gerald Coney (195 pounds) went undefeated at Cook and is 21-1 for the year. Garrett Westberry (220) was 6-3 at Cook and 22-7 overall. Caleb Barber (105) was 8-1 and is 27-6.

Sergio Martinez (120) had a 6-3 weekend and is 20-13 for the season. Blake Haggins (126) went 8-1 and is 16-7 overall. Quay Goldsborough (132) went 7-2 and is now 24-9.

Marcelo Manzano (138) went 6-3 and is 12-15. Watson said Manzano is “playing some crucial roles” for the team. Timothy Wright (145) went 6-3 and is 17-8. Davarius Smith (152) went 6-3 in Adel and is now 19-14.

Braeden Wilbanks (160) went 5-4 and is now 16-12. Angel Calles (170) went 5-4 and is now 18-14. Alex Fulford, wrestling up at 170 pounds, has “deceiving strength for his size,” according to his coach. Fulford went 8-1 and is 21-7. Dalton Hancock (220) went 6-1 and is currently 13-6.

Hasean Williams (220) went 2-0 during the Hornet Duals. He’s battling a shoulder injury, but is sporting a 7-3 record. Keyshawn Jones (285) went 3-2 and has earned a letter for the season with is 10-5 mark. Garrett Sumner (285) went 4-0 and sports a 20-2 record.

“I’ve been pleased,” said Watson, adding there was still work to do in the mental aspects of the game.

Beyond the Blue Devil usuals, Tift’s junior varsity competed at Lee County Dec. 10. “We got a bunch of good mat time,” said Watson. “They wrestled really well.”