COLLINGSWOOD - Just a week into the season, it's not surprising the Collingswood High School wrestling team is still working out the kinks.

However, on Friday night, a new light was shined on a different problem.

The Panthers were set to debut a spotlight above the center of the mat while the rest of the lights in the gymnasium were turned off, setting for a unique atmosphere that several schools around South Jersey use for wrestling.

The spotlight was featured during introductions but lasted just one period of the first bout before all the lights in the gymnasium were turned back on. It was deemed a safety issue by a school official, according to Collingswood head coach Dechlin Moody.

"It's kinda disappointing, the kids were excited about it," Moody said. "It was a lack of communication. We did get the OK to use it. We tried it out (earlier in the week) and prepped it. I guess we will meet with (school officials) again on Monday."

Moody said that he hopes to have the issue resolved by the next home dual meet which would be against Notre Dame on Jan. 15.

With the lights on, Collingswood ran its unbeaten streak to three with a 44-25 victory over Haddon Township.

However, the Panthers' performance wasn't exactly worthy of a spotlight, according to Moody.

"We have a lot of work to do," the head coach said. "Right now, we're light. All of my guys are kinda out of weight classes right now. We'll settle in though. We'll be all right."

Moody added he does like the energy of the new members of the squad, including junior Josiah Evans, who delivered one of the biggest wins against Haddon Township (1-1).

Evans, a first-year varsity wrestler, was down 12-7 before reversing his fortunes and pinning his opponent at 190. It was a nine-point swing in the team score.

"I was down and I was thinking I just had to get out and hit a big move," said Evans, who is 2-0 with two pins at 190 despite weighing in closer to 170 pounds.

Evans, who is a linebacker/defensive end on the football team, said he likes the aggressiveness he gets to display in wrestling.

"I'm like a rowdy, rough kid," Evans said with a smile. "I like to get my hands (on his opponent), not to fight him, but to be aggressive."

Evans said there was plenty of electricity about the spotlight, which was turned on when the Panthers entered the gym for warmups as Dire Straits' "Money for Nothing" blared over the sound system.

"(To come out for warmups), it was the most fun I've had besides playing football," he said. "I hope we get the chance to do that again."

Collingswood 44, Haddon Township 25

165: Matt Tabasco, d. Julian Jones, 7-3; 175: Matt Malinowski, C, forfeit; 190: Josiah Evans, C, p. Antonio Reyes; 215: Eli Borowicz, HT, p. Tim Rambo; 285: Nyeim Bennett, C, p. Sean Weikel; 106: James Jiles, C, forfeit; 113: Kenny Olsen, C p. Jon Rodriguez; 120: Andrew Marshall, HT, md. Sean Byrd, 10-0; 126: Mason Musciano, C, p. Owen Ziegler; 132: Gabe Slatman, HT, md. Avante Santos, 18-2; 138: Thomas Andrews, HT, md. Isiah Cruz, 9-0; 144: Brady Mokoid, HT, md. Matt Plotts, 19-9; 150: Lino Bataloni, C, md. Justin Capri, 19-4; 157: Ezra Katz, C, d. Ryan Henry, 3-1.

Tom McGurk is a regional sports editor for the Courier-Post, The Daily Journal and Burlington County Times, covering South Jersey sports for over 35 years. If you have a sports story that needs to be told, contact him by email [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at @McGurkSports. Help support local journalism with a digital subscription.