“There’s no other sport where Grandma’s cooking up a storm on Thanksgiving and Christmas and you just can’t eat,” says Bynum. “You’ve gotta keep your weight. That requires total dedication.”

Bynum knows a little something about dedication. He was a state champion at 105 pounds in 1987. He remains the first, last and only state champ ever produced by Salisbury High.

But with this weekend’s state championships in Charlotte fast approaching, Bynum has even more spring in his step than usual. The little guy with the big heart has a gut feeling that it’s going to take a little longer to call the roll of Salisbury state titlists after Saturday night. He’s got a feeling that company’s coming.

Five Hornets qualified for the state tournament in last weekend’s regional competition.

Bynum has high hopes that three of them — Chris Chinaka, Joseph Walker and Brandon Russo — will perform well. For his other two grapplers — 140-pounder Dwayne Coward and 130-pounder Willie Hosch — Bynum has more than hope. With a break or two, he can see them going the distance.

North Rowan coach Tim Burns calls Coward “one of those unique kids.”

Most everyone else simply calls Coward (32-0), a natural wrestler with the heart of a lion, “undefeated.”

Asked if Coward is a once-in-a-lifetime wrestler, Bynum has to think for a moment. “I wouldn’t say that,” he finally responds. “I’d say a Dwayne comes along every 13 years or so.”

Then Bynum, Coward and Hosch break up laughing. It was 13 years ago, of course, that Bynum was a Hornet.

But then Bynum gets serious.

“Dwayne can get it done this weekend,” he says. “So can Willie. They just have to stay focused and wrestle one match at a time. Everyone there will be good. You can’t overlook anyone.”

It’s certain that no one at the championships will overlook Coward. He doesn’t exactly get the ink of a Scooter Sherrill, but there’s no question he’s one of the county’s top athletes.

“Dwayne’s unbelievably athletic,” says Bynum. “He’s quick, he’s strong and he’s smart. He could play any sport at this school. Anything from football to swimming. He could play golf if he wanted to.”

Coward grew up fantasizing about basketball, but Knox Middle coach Sam Moore talked him into trying wrestling. It was like tossing a duck into water.

“This sport is me,” says Coward. “This is a sport I’ll always hold on to. What I like most is everyone cheering for the other guy and then beating him, anyway. It’s like you beat your opponent and the crowd.”

Coward says he once dreamed of earning a tourney outstanding wrestler award before his career was over. This season, he’s been named outstanding wrestler in three different events.

“Dwayne’s got a name that people recognize,” says Bynum. “He gets respect.”

Hosch puts it more directly.

“People are scared to death of Dwayne,” he says. “They know he’s gonna pin ‘em in a couple of seconds.”

Coward made the state finals as a freshman and returned to the state tournament as a sophomore. He’s confident that his third trip will be the charm.

“First time in the championships, Dwayne was nervous,” says Bynum. “Second time he was cocky.”

But this time, Coward (32-0) should be just right.

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One reason, Coward has become so good is Hosch, who will be making his second appearance in the championships.

Bynum often pits Coward against Hosch in practice. Then he sits back and watches them push one another to the limit.

“Gotta pull them off of each other same days,” Bynum says proudly. “They’ve really helped each other. They compete.”

“It’s 50-50 when me and Willie go against each other,” says Coward, diplomatically.

But Hosch, a kid who was cut from the middle school basketball team and turned to wrestling as an alternative, shakes his head. “Dwayne kills me,” he says sheepishly.

But Coward is about the only who can handle Hosch (which rhymes with push).

Bynum started telling anyone who would listen two months ago that Hosch was coming on and was ready to emerge from Coward’s considerable shadow.

The proof came in the regionals as Hosch pinned an Eastern Randolph kid, who was considered one of the state’s best.

“I don’t think people were all that shocked that I won,” says Hosch. “But people were very shocked that I pinned that guy.”

Bynum, though, was not shocked.

“Willie’s an athlete, same as Dwayne is,” he said. “And Willie’s our best technical wrestler.”

Bynum has been preparing his charges for this weekend’s battles by taking them to wrestle Davie County’s strong group on Monday and Northwest Cabarrus’ studs on Tuesday.

“I want them to see as many different styles as possible,” says Bynum.”You’ve got to be prepared for anything and everything.”

And now, Coward and Hosch stand just four matches from immortality.

“Yeah, I’m nervous,” admits Hosch, “I mean this is the state championship. But I’ll lose those nerves after a few seconds.”

Coward, on the other hand, just smiles a lot.

“I’ve already got all of Coach Bynum’s records for wins and points,” he says. “Guess it’s time to take this state championship thing from him,too.”

Then everyone laughs again.

As soon as his kids are out of earshot, though, Bynum gets serious.

“These are two very fine young men,” he says. “I’ve watched them grow. Win or lose, I’m gonna be proud of them. They’ve accomplished an awful lot.”