Five pins, two wins by forfeit, two by major decision and a decision — not a bad way to start the wrestling season.

Those numbers, when added up, gave the four-time defending state champion Flathead Braves an easy 53-26 AA dual victory over Butte on Friday afternoon at FHS.

Trevor Beaman (215) led the Braves’ pin parade, sticking Nick Matich in a lightning-quick 29 seconds. Caleb Piasecki (119), Cody Tally (125), Caleb Allen-Schmid (160) and Larry Francis (171) also left the mat with pins.

Of the five falls, Francis’ was perhaps the most dramatic as he fell behind 9-1 in the first 79 seconds of the match.

“He made a few mistakes in the first period, but he definitely made up for it,” Flathead coach Matt Owen said.

“He’s been down before. He knows what to do.”

Francis rebounded in a hurry, pinning Austin Pesanti in 2:41.

Flathead’s Travis Ozegovich, on the other hand, dropped a tough decision to Butte’s Russ Hildreth in a wild match at 189. It was tied 7-all heading into the third period, and Hildreth needed an escape with 35 seconds remaining to tie it again, this time at 9-all, to force overtime.

Hildreth then came back in the one-minute overtime period to win it with a takedown with 24.4 seconds left.

All in all, Owen was more than satisfied with his squad’s opening performance.

“There’s always places to improve,” he said.

“And we’ll make those improvements as the season goes along.”

Butte benefited from 12 points off forfeits as Flathead was open at 98 and 285 pounds. Butte never led, but tied the match at 21-all with a pin by Andre Vialpando (112) in 2:28.

Flathead heavyweight Connor Thomas was held out of the action with a shoulder injury. He’s expected to be back soon.

“Hurt it two days ago,” Owen said.

“We’re not quite ready to put him in the lineup.”

Flathead is back in action today at the Polson Invitational. The Braves have won six-straight titles.

Flathead 53, Butte 2Br6

160 — Caleb Allen-Schmid, F, pinned Zach Bolton, 3:16; 171 — Larry Francis, F, pinned Austin Pesanti, 2:41; 189 — Russ Hildreth, B, dec. Travis Ozegovich, 11-9; 215 — Trevor Beaman, F, pinned Nick Matich, :29; 285 — Cole Tripp, Butte, won by forfeit; 98 — Jarret Rowling, B, won by forfeit; 105 — Jake Kinkel, F, dec. Tyler Harney, 8-2; 112 — Andre Vialpando, B, pinned Billy Allen, 2:28; 119 — Caleb Piasecki, F, pinned Kelly Kissell, 3:06; 125 — Cody Tally, F, pinned Tom Challeen, 2:50; 130 — Joaquin Calderon, F, won by forfeit; 135 — Steel Hahn, F, won by forfeit; 140 — Zach Deist, F, maj. dec. Chris Renz, 15-3; 145 — Jeremiah Gaiser, F, maj. dec. Cody LeProwse, 12-4; 152 — Jake Dallaserra, B, pinned Josh Erickson, 2:50.

#Butte docked one team point for unsportsmanlike conduct