“It would have been nice, it’s what the fans wanted to see too,” King said. “I can’t control what division my school is in, and everything worked out great anyways, because he won one and I won one, so it’s good.” 

King is a gifted athlete, and not many saw his performances up close and personal more than second-year wrestling coach Kevin Formanski of Hinsdale South. King, who has been wrestling since he was 7-years-old, was a stud on the Hornets' defensive line. He translated that talent on the football field to the wrestling mat with ease.

“When you talk about using your hands, Josh’s hands are enormous,” Formanski said. “When he steps on the wrestling mat, and he grabs ahold of your wrists, it’s like a handcuff. He’s so strong, he can control your hands while he is being so fast on his feet. When he’s on the defensive line, he uses those hands and upper body strength to just move guys aside, and now he’s got a clear open path to the quarterback. When you pair those hands with his feet, it is unbelievable.” 

It was King’s second state title in a row, which is an accolade most athletes cannot claim. King said he hopes his wrestling ability will distinguish himself amongst the large group of incoming defensive linemen for MSU, and two state titles is a good way to start.

“I know it was great to win one, but to win them back-to-back, two years in a row, it shows I am an elite wrestler and it’s something I take a lot of pride in,” King said. 

Though both titles might have been sweet, Formanski vividly recounts the differences in King after winning his first title compared to his second crown.

“They were definitely different, and I distinctly remember after his first one, I was like, 'man, you did well, you did exactly what you wanted to do,'” Formanski said. “He said, 'coach, I don’t remember any of it, I kind of zoned out and went into wrestling mode.' The second one, it was almost like he remembered every single part of it. Obviously he was excited about both of them, but I think he remembered this one a little more than the first.” 

Just north of King’s stomping grounds lies Hinsdale Central High School, where wrestling coach Jason Hayes has seen all three Allen brothers come through his program, and win state titles. Jack and Brian won them under Hayes, and it was only right that the stars aligned for the youngest Allen.

“He’s not very emotional, but when he won, he let his emotion go,” Hayes said. “He was very, very excited. It was a big win for him and also his family.” 

Hayes said Allen was never the emotional leader of his team, but simply let his actions speak louder than his words. When Allen would stay after practice, working on technical things and fitness, it spread to the lower levels of the team. Allen was not an overbearing captain, and just tried to help his teammates with the little things.

“I didn’t try to tell them too many things, because I know sometimes it can get annoying when someone your age is telling you what to do,” Allen said. “I just tried to be positive with a lot of them.” 

Translating success in wrestling to success at a collegiate football program like MSU is no easy task, but the last two Allen brothers to graduate from Hinsdale Central’s elite wrestling program have done it seamlessly. Hayes expects nothing different from Matt.

“I think he’s going to have an edge on people because he wrestled,” Hayes said. “I think wrestlers are a little more successful at the collegiate level because of their mentality and Matt will have that, and I think that will help with his transition.”

MSU football coach Mark Dantonio should be more than pleased that two of his star recruits took home state titles in a sport other than football. Dantonio got to see both of them in action, and a friendly wager was placed between two other special guests.

“They watched me and Josh wrestle this year at my home gym on senior night,” Allen said. “There was a lot of motivation, and I found out after the match that offensive line coach Mark Staten was betting against the defensive line coach Ron Burton. I don’t know what they bet, but I was happy to get the win and win my coach whatever he won.” 

With Allen’s victory, King might have to run some sprints for Burton to make up for that one.