Emmaus head coach Jeff Arbushites has seen, for the most part, a team that has lived up to expectations through the Hornets’ 17 dual matches this season.

But there have also been a few occasions in which Arbushites is waiting for that same Hornets squad to put it all together against some of the East Penn Conference’s top-level competition.

Last week’s match against Parkland provided Emmaus with another opportunity to prove themselves as one of the league’s top teams as well. Instead, the Trojans (11-2 overall, 6-1 in EPC) won nine of the 14 bouts and used two forfeit victories to defeat the Hornets (11-6, 3-3) 41-15 last Thursday.

“We won five bouts,” Arbushites said. “I think the potential to win four more was out there. We have a couple of kids coming off of injuries and a couple of kids that have to get themselves in shape.

“That’s what it comes down to. It comes down to them taking it up to the next level in the postseason against elite competition. We’re fine against your average kid that goes out there. We have to be ready to wrestle that elite kid, that kid who may make one or two mistakes a match and you have to force the issue.”

Emmaus won three of the first six matches against Parkland and pulled to within 14-9 after Dan Oberle earned a hard-fought 6-0 decision at 195 pounds. But as the higher weight classes approached and turned over to the beginning of the lineup sheet at 106 pounds, the Trojans began to separate themselves.

Parkland won the next six matches, including forfeits for Emmaus at 113 and 120, that boosted the advantage to 37-9.

“The one kid is 20 pounds undersized and the other kid is 15 pounds undersized, and they’re going against full-sized studs at that weight,” Arbushites said. “It was more of a sign of respect than disrespect.”

The Hornets were able to respond with two signature wins for Tyler Corpora and Lucas Schaf at 132 and 138 to close out the match. After Parkland’s Lee Todora tied Corpora at 2-2 with an escape in the second period, Corpora was able to earn a late takedown and come away with a 4-3 decision. Todora spent six years in the Hornets’ youth program along side Corpora before moving to Parkland.

“Corpora was always the man under the totem pole, not on top of him [Todora],” Arbushites said. “Here’s another kid who has a great motor, has worked hard and gets better. He goes hard every day in the room and it paid off a little bit.”

The match of the night came in the final bout at 138 pounds when Schaf took on Trojan standout Jacob Lizak. Lizak drew first blood with an early takedown in the first period and led 4-1 moments later, but the Emmaus senior was able to regroup. Schaf recovered to tie the bout at 4-4 with a takedown in the final seconds of the period and escaped with a 6-4 victory after earning a reversal in the second period.

“He’s been working really hard in all phases; he’s improved in all phases,” Arbushites said. “I really think he is wrestling great. His composure was probably the most impressive thing because he gave up a takedown and fought off two or three really deep shots. He kept his head in the match and went back to doing what he does well.”

It’s the first time since freshman season the two have faced off against one another. Prior to Thursday’s match, Schaf hadn’t beaten Lizak in high school or junior high competition.

Matt Hamati (160) and Jared Skibinski (170) picked up decisions as well for the Hornets in the loss.