In terms of local interest, there may have been no more pivotal matchup.

Goffstown’s Tyler Clites took on John Stark’s Keith DeMoura in the second round of the 145- pound bracket at the Meet of Champions, losing to the Weare standout before the two met once more in the consolation match.

DeMoura won again, earning third place with a 3-0 decision on Saturday, Feb. 23, at Londonderry High School.

“I was very impressed with how (DeMoura) wrestled. Tyler had a lot of scoring opportunities in their first match, and I thought the next time we faced him, Tyler would take him,” said Grizzlies’ coach Todd Lavallee. “(DeMoura) really proved himself out there, and I give him a lot of respect. It was great to see John Stark being represented like that.”

As it turns out, Tyler Clites’ loss is, well, Tyler Clites’ gain. DeMoura will not compete at the regional competition because he has a prior engagement, said Lavallee.

That means Clites has the opportunity to test his mettle at the event, which takes place at Lowell High School in Lowell, Mass., on Friday, Feb. 29, and Saturday, March 1.

“Tyler will definitely take it any day to extend his season,” said Lavallee. “He loves to battle, and I look forward to seeing what he’s going to do at New Englands.

“If you haven’t wrestled Tyler Clites before, and you don’t know his main moves,” added his coach, “you could be in trouble.”

In addition to Clites, the Grizzlies send heavyweight Tom Foote, who won the 285-pound weight class, and Chris Ives, who took third among 160-pounders.

Foote’s first-place effort was Goffstown’s first ever at the Meet of Champions, said Lavallee.

“I had a lot of coaches patting me on the back and congratulating us,” said Lavallee. “It was a win that was well-respected around the state and well-deserved by Tom.”

Of all the performances, however, the GHS coach said he was most impressed with Ives’ effort.

“He had a really tight loss against the Alvirne kid (champion Evan Carter), and I think Chris gave him the best match of the day,” said Lavallee. “He decisively came back and wrestled really tough to take third and make New Englands.

As a senior, who just missed the opportunity last year, I’m really excited, especially because now we are sending three tough kids to New Englands, which is the most we’ve ever taken.”

Overall, the Grizzlies placed sixth among more than 30 competing teams at the Meet of Champions with 52.5 points.

For John Stark, which finished 11th with 34 points, Rob McCardell placed fifth in the 140-pound bracket, beating Salem’s David Welch, 8-6, and Greg Jones finished sixth.