Slow and steady wins the race. So, it's hard to read anything into early-season dual meets. However, we did have a few eye brow-raisers this week.
Delaware Valley had fans and coaches talking after a narrow 31-27 victory over Hopewell Valley on Tuesday. The Terriers were pegged by at least one major outlet to win the Group 2 title in February. Now granted, Group 2 is wide open this season, but knowing coach Andy Fitz, he was certainly less-than-thrilled with that pressure-packed prediction.
Del Val (3-0), like most teams this season, has its share of question marks. The upper weights, for the most part, have been a weakness for this program ever since the Wurst twins graduated some time ago. But this could be a breakout season for senior heavyweight Forrest Wooden, who is off to a 5-0 start. Fitz certainly likes his wrestler's chances to make some noise later in the season.
Once upon a time, teams from Hunterdon County looked down their collective noses at those from Mercer County. Once dubbed by Hunterdon coaches as the "609ers," in reference to that locale's area code, Mercer wrestlers are no longer pushovers in the District 17 Tournament, advancing 14 to Region 5 last season.
Pit-fall for host Stateliners
For many that grew up watching Phillipsburg during its dynasty years, Thursday's 30-28 loss to Franklin was a probably a bit of a stunner. Especially since it was the first home match of the season for second-year coach Dave Post's squad. But Franklin is for real, folks.
Coach Rick Krieger has his Warriors believing and obviously had his kids prepared to wrestle in one of the most difficult venues for an opposing team. The notorious "Pit" has buckled the knees of many opponents over the years. It was the Stateliners' first loss in a home opener since a 39-19 setback against Howell on Dec. 22, 2005. Since 1990, P'burg is a staggering 431-57-1 against New Jersey opponents, but 42 defeats have come in the last 12 seasons.
This was Franklin's first-ever win in 16 matches against Phillipsburg dating to the 1995-96 season when the 'Liners joined the Skyland Conference, and the two teams were forced to wrestle. Previously, a 27-point win in 2004 was the closest margin of victory in the series. All others were complete blowouts, including a 75-0 shutout in 1999.
Krieger, who never won in The Pit as a star wrestler for Delaware Valley in the early 1990s, saw his Franklin team win three of four overtime bouts, including a huge pin by Region 5 champion Jake Balestrieri at 132. Balestrieri trailed, 8-4, against freshman Jim Schuitema late in regulation before tying the bout and eventually earning the fall in OT.
The 'Liners are another team that's had lofty expectations thrust upon them this season. Nothing new there in P'burg, but this team will need some time to gel. The new weight classes have helped this bunch, but there are still a few wrestlers that need to come through in tough matches.
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