Jordan’s Ben Barnett has the upper hand over Scotty Clements of Gardendale in the 120-lb. match Thursday.

It was almost like two halves, with Mortimer Jordan controlling the lighter weights and Gardendale the heavier.

But the Blue Devils scored all their points early to take a 43-27 dual match win at home Thursday night.

Jordan won all but two of its matches by pin, with Lane Lucas (126 lbs.), Elliott Conn (132), Brandon Brindley (138) and Austin Underwood  (152) all scoring the maximum in the second period or earlier. Ben Barnett also won by major decision over Scotty Clements at 120 pounds.

But once the match got to 160 pounds, it was all Rockets, with pins by Drew Smith (170), Damien Tinney (182) and Matt Robles (220).

“We’re getting better,” Jordan coach Terry Tingle said. “Like I said at the beginning of the year, this is team we’ll have to build on all year. We made some progress tonight. I saw some things tonight that showed us we’re progressing, such as hitting moves when they’re there, and that just comes with consistency and mat time.

“We had some matches I thought we could’ve pulled off at the lighter weights, but they got the better of us,” Rockets coach Jake Helveston said.

The Devils and Rockets, along with Fultondale, will compete in the Jefferson County Tournament to be held at the new Center Point High School near Jefferson State. Preliminary rounds begin Friday afternoon, with finals on Saturday.