High on the walls inside South Whidbey High School’s Erickson Gym are banners proudly denoting championships earned by Falcon sports teams in years past.

Under wrestling, there is a blank space.

Second-year coach Jim Thompson wants to change that.

“Our goal is to win the Cascade Conference championship, something that’s never been done before,” he said.

And Thompson believes he has the talent to do just that; before the first practice he took his team into the gym, pointed to that empty spot on the wall and said, “You guys can do this. This is your time.”

It must have made an impression.

“Yeah, we’re going to send at least five guys to the Mat Classic in Tacoma this year,” said co-captain Matt Long.

“We have quite a bit of talent and most of us showed up for the first practice in good shape with only one thing on our minds — to beat the other guys,” Long said.

Trapper Rawls has been wrestling since the third grade. “We have the talent we need to beat the guys in our conference,” Rawls said.

On Saturday, the team won its first tournament at Forks against some stiff competition, surprising the Falcons coach.

“It’s important to start the year with a win and we did that big time. We’re still young but we’re a lot more seasoned with a much better chance to live up to our potential,” Thompson noted.

Leading the charge will be Long (152-pound weight class), co-captain Ben Morgen (145), Rawls (285), Darrin Britton (215), Aaron Mannie (140) and James Shorr (135).

But with 14 total weight classes, others will need to step up. During matches, teams lose six points if they can’t fill a weight class — freshmen Colton Vaughn (103) and Hunter Rawls (149) are among those expected to lend a hand.

Thompson and assistant coach Paul Newman have developed a unique coaching style, revolving around Long and Morgen demonstrating the various take-downs, escapes and pinning moves for the others.

“Both Matt and Ben are excellent teachers,” Rawls said. “They encourage all of us to do our best.”

Rawls was a key member of the Falcon football defense but finds wrestling offers something special.

“I like having just me and the other guy on the mat; neither of us has to rely on anyone else,” Rawls said. “Wrestling puts all the weight on my shoulders and I can live with that.”

Last year there were only two home matches. This time there are four, but fans will have to wait until Jan. 9 to see the team in action when Cedarcrest visits.

It’s a good show. A few years ago, South Whidbey installed a special fixture that winches down to throw a high-intensity light over the mat — the effect helps heighten the tension for both wrestlers and onlookers.

As if the athletes aren’t tense enough. The end result is one of the outstanding fan experiences in all of high school sports.

“We hope lots of people will come to the gym and watch us on our way to the Mat Classic,” Long said.

Jeff VanDerford can be reached at 221-5300 or sports@southwhidbeyrecord.com.