The day began with such promise. The four varsity wrestlers representing Lithia Springs in their own Lions Den tournament had sailed into the semifinals without exception.

But a bittersweet Saturday was more bitter than sweet for the Lions, who finished ninth on their home mats. Forsyth Central, with two weight-class champions, won the tournament narrowly over Wheeler and third-place West Hall.

For Lithia Springs, Jake Swinson, undefeated at 160 pounds all season — until Saturday, that is — lost twice.

Teammate Joe Furr, unbeaten at 152, lost by medical default.

Sudden death was equally unkind. That’s the way Swinson’s second loss came as well as Jason Morrison’s at 135 pounds.

Only Ben Ford, armed with what he said was an extra helping of prayer, came through unscathed among the varsity wrestlers. He defeated Elias Fleishman of Dunwoody 14-7 to win the 145-pound class, leaving Fleishman so disgusted he refused his second-place medal.

“I prayed a lot more than I did yesterday, seeing what God did for me yesterday in getting me to the semis,” Ford said. “I took my time, told myself I wasn’t going to lose anymore and then tried to get takedowns.”

Furr faced Riverwood’s Hamilton Stockton, a two-time state qualifier who also entered the match undefeated at 24-0. And when Furr collapsed in a heap with an injury, Stockton was leading 6-0 and unlikely to surrender his advantage in the final 11 seconds.

Thus, with Furr second, Swinson and Morrison each fourth, Lithia Springs finished 10 points ahead of Newnan and 12 ahead of inexperienced Douglas County.

Swinson’s disappointment was obvious after successive losses to J.T. Tinsley of Forsyth Central and Powell Freeman of Dunwoody. Morriaon likewise had hoped for a better result.

“I was disappointed at first,” Morrison said. “But I’m all right with it now.”

Douglas County’s day was highlighted by heavyweight Kenny Caldwell’s fourth-place finish.

“I wish I could’ve finished higher, but I’m still a work in progress,” said Caldwell, a junior. “This lets me know I can do better, but I’m still building.”

The junior varsity competition wasn’t without its bitter pills for Lithia Springs to swallow. While McCullin Ray pinned Alcovy’s Sergio Cruz in 37 seconds to win the 130-pound JV class, Elbert Patterson thought he had a victory in the 125-pound class over Alcovy’s Calvin Dallas. The referee even raised Patterson’s arm.

But Alcovy protested successfully — with referees who chimed in from the sidelines in a match with which they weren’t involved — that Dallas had not been given credit for a takedown. Patterson and Dallas, who had left the mat, were brought back for a sudden-death overtime.

And like all the other sudden deaths the Lions faced Saturday, this one didn’t go their way. Patterson, disconsolate after losing, still couldn’t accept it later.

“I was giving my all, but they were saying it wasn’t good enough,” Patterson said. “I gave more and they still didn’t give me my points.”

The reversal paid off handsomely, helping Alcovy win the JV competition. They outdid Wheeler, third-place Westlake and fourth-place Heritage. Lithia Springs finished fifth by eight points.

Ray didn’t wait for scorer’s table to decide his match with Cruz.

“I was just aggressive,” he said. “I thought about what I was going to do before I wrestled, then went in and executed it.”