Early season's big meetings on HWS mats

We're just getting started and there are several big matches this week to serve as early holiday gifts for all of you hardcore wrestling junkies.

Wednesday's action includes a pair of juicy showdowns, including a matchup between two of New Jersey's most storied programs, as Hunterdon Central makes the long trek to Sussex County for a showdown with Newton.

On Thursday, Franklin travels to the notorious Pit in Phillipsburg for a key Skyland Conference clash in front of what should be a boisterous sell-out crowd.

Here's a closer look at some of the big mid-week meets. In talking to several coaches over the weekend, it appears several teams have had issues with wrestlers and the hydration process. As a result, we may not see guys at their lowest weights until at least January or not at all in some cases.

Check back here later in the week as we take a look at two big duals on Friday. Newton travels to High Point for a key NJAC meeting, while North Hunterdon visits Hunterdon Central in a battle of county rivals.

Hunterdon Central at Newton, 6 p.m. on Wednesday

Plenty of questions surrounding the two teams as both may be without some starters. 

Central only entered 10 wrestlers in last weekend's Caldwell Tournament, where the Red Devils finished sixth out of eight teams. Reportedly, sophomore star Gary Dinmore, who finished fourth at 132 pounds, was injured and may sit this one out. The district and region champ forfeited his third-place bout.

In addition, coach Steve Gibble's team did not enter anyone at 106 or 113. Sophomore Dylan Nace, who won the 120-pound title, is expected to drop to 113. Gibble is four dual wins away from 300 overall.

Newton is coming off a third-place finish at the Mount Olive Tournament. Coach Eric Bollette's team is looking for the program's first win over Central since the 1972-73 season. The schools have met only three times since, with the Red Devils winning all three (53-6 in 1989), (37-24 in 2010) and (38-20 last season). Hunterdon Central leads the all-time series, 11-9, dating to 1956.

Seniors Steven Churchill (132) and Jake Connelly (195) lead the Braves into this one, but junior Josh Sibblies may be involved in the biggest bout of the night at 152 against Central's David Fenton. Sibblies was expected to have a breakout sophomore campaign before suffering a season-ended knee injury, while Fenton placed third in District 17 last season.

This match should be decided in the upper weights, though Newton will likely forfeit at 220. In addition, the Braves have the potential for more bonus-point wins. Should be a good one.

High Point at Jefferson, 7 p.m. on Wednesday

Another intriguing matchup as both teams seem a bit mysterious right now.

High Point, which won 98 dual meets the last four seasons, is no longer a juggernaut and finished 31st out of 32 teams this past weekend at the rugged King of the Mountain Tournament. The Wildcats were without several starters, however, including Region 1 qualifier Jason Snider. His status is unknown.

District champion John Torppey (106) is one of only three returning starters. We could get our first look at talented freshmen Dom Gallo (106), Mike Derin (120) and Jason Gaccione (132). The 'Cats have not lost a conference dual since 2005 -- a 39-18 loss to Kittatinny on Jan. 22. High Point is 49-0 in both SCIL and NJAC matches since the 2005-06 season and owns a 53-match conference win streak.

Jefferson, which finished eighth among 13 teams at the TCNJ Pride Tournament on Saturday, also was hit hard by graduation. But the Falcons have some quality wrestlers such as sophomore Bryan Damon (106), senior Pat Ferguson (132) and senior Ryan Higgins (138). Damon won a TCNJ title, and blue-chip freshman Luke Bohn finished second at 145. Junior Steve Dallicardillo was fourth at 182.

Franklin at Phillipsburg, 7 p.m. on Thursday

The Warriors are on the upswing under the direction of former Delaware Valley state champion Rick Krieger, who previously served as the head coach at Wilson (Pa.).

Franklin returns a wealth of talent from last year's squad that went 19-3, including senior Jake Balestrieri (district and region champ) at 126, junior Ryan Kaplan (district and region placewinner) at 138, sophomore Mike Fagg-Daves (region champion) at 152 and junior Anthony Messner (district champ, region second) at 195.

Phillipsburg is fresh off an impressive fifth-place showing at the King of the Mountain and second-year coach Dave Post's squad is primed for a run at the Group 4 title. But first thing's first and that's getting past a dangerous opponent.

Senior Brandon Hull (220) finished second at the KOM and was eighth in the state tournament a year ago. He anchors a solid group of upper weights. Senior V.J. Delmonico (152) also took a silver medal at KOM, while freshman Jim Schuitema placed fifth at 132. He could square off with either Balestrieri or Fagg-Daves. Delmonico-Kaplan and Hull-Messner could also be quality matchups.