Devonta Williams remembers what it was like to be the guy on the wrong side of a pin at the area tournament.

On Saturday, Williams made sure that he would be the guy on top when the official’s hand hit the mat to signify a pin.

Williams, a senior wrestler for LaGrange High, rolled to an Area 5-AAAA championship on Saturday, and he pinned his opponent in the finals to clinch the victory.

Williams was one of eight LaGrange wrestlers who qualified for the state sectionals by finishing in the top four in their respective weight class.

The highlight of the day for the Grangers was provided by Williams, who made his farewell appearance on his home mat at LaGrange High a memorable one.

“The last two years, I’ve been the one on the bottom of the mat,” Wiliams said. “To be on top, for him to be the one getting pinned, I was so excited.”

Williams now hopes to keep the momentum going at state.

First up will be the sectional tournament, where he’ll try to finish in the top eight out of 16 wrestlers.

If he does that, he’ll advance to the state finals.

“I hope to go far at state,” Williams said. “I want to qualify for the big dance.”

LaGrange head coach Scooter Weathers said Williams is a deserving champion.

“It’s great for him being a senior,” Weathers said. “He’s been in the program for four years, and to work like he has he deserves this.”

Seven other Grangers will be joining Williams at state.

Qua Tucker (132 pounds), Hunter Richardson (152 pounds), Guy Wegienka (195 pounds) and Emanuel Mann (285 pounds) each finished third, and they all won by pin in the third-place match.

Kane Shirey (113 pounds), Kyler Hall (138 pounds) and Logan Pitts (182 pounds) each finished fourth.

For LaGrange’s eight remaining wrestlers, it’ll be back to work today in preparation for the state sectionals this weekend.

“We’re not done. We have some unfinished business,” Weathers said.