What: Phillipsburg Stateliners at Howell Rebels.
Where: Howell High School, Howell Township.
When: Saturday, 6 p.m.
Conference: Independent.
Records: Phillipsburg 7-2; Howell 19-1.
Coaches: Dave Post (36-11, third season); John Gagliano (298-60, 16th season).
Series history: Phillipsburg leads 3-2 dating to 2004, including last year's 28-27 win at The Pit. Howell won back-to-back meetings in 2005 (39-19 at The Pit) and 2006 (38-21 at home). P'burg's other wins came at home in 2004 (38-26) and 2007 (36-29). Teams did not meet from 2008-11.
Note: Howell wrestlers listed first with season records in parentheses.
106 -- Fr. Anthony Gagliano (16-3) or Fr. Mikey Sisolak (12-4) vs. Fr. Brandon Paetzell (18-5).
113 -- Jr. Jimmy Slendorn (19-4) vs. Sr. Zach Fisher (16-7).
120 -- So. Anthony Piazza (13-8) vs. So. Steve Friedman (14-10).
126 -- Fr. Kris Lindemann (21-2) vs. So. Corey Zinsmeister (15-9).
132 -- Sr. James Sisolak (11-8) vs. Sr. Anthony Johnson (5-3).
138 -- Sr. Ben Esposito (23-0) vs. So. Max Elling (14-8).
145 -- Sr. Ashanti Maurice (18-4) or Jr. Jack Rada (15-4) vs. Sr. Andrew Kaluzny (16-8).
152 -- Maurice or Rada vs. So. Jimmy Schuitema (18-3).
160 -- Jr. Joey Schultz (21-3) vs. Jr. Jake Kocsis (16-6).
170 -- Sr. Casey Fecht (11-9) vs. Jr. Broderick Bupivi (14-9).
182 -- Jr. Nathan Litowsky (15-5) vs. So. Joe Maso (5-5).
195 -- Jr. Stephen Boncimino (16-6) vs. So. Yann Ondele (0-4).
220 -- Jr. Kyle Cocozza (16-4) vs. So. Tim Hinkle (10-11).
285 -- Sr. Joe Sportiello (10-12) vs. Sr. Jarrett Williams (19-5).
Breakdown: Good one down at the shore, as Phillipsburg looks to rebound from Thursday's 33-25 loss to archrival Easton. Stateliners have unquestionably wrestled the tougher schedule this season. Sans an early-season trip to Warren Hills, where they also faced High Point and Timber Creek, the Rebels have not hit any top-flight competition since December. The one common opponent is Warren Hills, which defeated Howell, 31-26 on Dec. 22. P'burg beat Warren Hills, 46-18, on Jan. 17. Howell is pretty balanced so it presents some matchup problems, particularly in the upper weights. The absence of senior Kyle Kinney at 195 hurts P'burg as it would have had a great shot at winning there -- a potential nine-point swing. Rebels favored at 126, 138, 145 (Maurice), 160, 182, 195 and 220. I say a slight favorite at 138 and 145, because I wouldn't be surprised if those went P'burg's way. Additionally, Litowsky was pinned by the Streaks' Steve Cleaver, who was pinned by Maso. 'Liners have the edge at 106, 120, 132, 152, 170 and 285. I'm calling 113 a tossup, though Slendorn did beat Warren Hills' Max Nauta, 4-2. Fisher has two losses to Nauta, most recently, 4-2 in SV. P'burg needs to minimize points 182 to 220 and get bonus in four of those where they are favored. I see it a 7-7 split and that's giving most of the close ones to the Rebels.
Prediction: Phillipsburg, 32-22.
No comments:
Post a Comment