Wrestling: Sectional finals breakdowns, picks

Here's a closer look at all of the sectional finals involving teams from the Open Mike area.

Winners advance to Sunday's Group championships at Toms River North.

North 1 Group 2

2-High Point (14-6) at 1-Emerson-Park Ridge (20-2)

Wrestlers to watch: HP, Fr. Devin Flannery (22-6) 106; So. Shane Kobis (20-11) 132; Sr. Jared Kobis (19-0, D1, R1), 145; Jr. Aric Wingle (14-5, D4-14), 152; Sr. Kevin Lewis (21-8, D1, R4), 195. EPR, Sr. Paco Robles (29-1, D2, R2), 113-126; So. Gabe Robles (21-10, D3), 132; Fr. Luke Mazzeo (28-3), 120; Sr. Sam Schneider (29-0, D1, R2, S7), 138; Fr. Zach Lewis (22-9), 145; Sr. Michael DiBella (23-6, D3), 152; Sr. Jordan Giacomelli (26-5, D3), 170; Jr. Josh Lewis (20-2, D1), 182.

Sectional titles: High Point 24 (1984, '86, '87, '88, '89, '90, '91, '92, '94, '95, '96, '97, '01, '02, '03, '05, '06, '07, '08, '10, '11, '12, '13, '14). Emerson-Park Ridge 8 (1980, '83, '84, '85, '86, '87, '01, '03).

Breakdown: High Point -- seeking a Sussex County record 25th section title -- is coming off a 40-24 win over Pequannock and longtime coach Len Smith (443 wins) in the semifinals. Now, 'Cats coach John Gardner (306 wins) goes toe-to-toe with another legend in Cavos coach Stan Woods, who just picked up win No. 700 last Saturday against Warren Hills (41-27). High Point, which lost to Warren Hills (35-25 on Jan. 30) has had a nice bounceback seasons after just seven wins a year ago. This will be a tough assignment as Emerson-Park Ridge, which scored a 48-28 victory over Jefferson in the semifinals, features a balanced lineup and serious talent in the middle weights. Schneider is the only wrestler to beat Kittatinny's Austin Scrivani (25-1) this season -- 9-4 in the Caldwell Tournament finals. 'Cats are favored at 103 and 113 (if Paco Robles is up that may be a forfeit) and if Robles is up, the Cavos would be favored from 120-152, provided Jared Kobis (knee) is not in the lineup. High Point has a chance to put up some points in the uppers, providing it can bump Lewis and Rutter as it has been doing in matches. Outside chance this is a 7-7 split, but the hosts just have a little too much firepower.

Prediction: Emerson-Park Ridge, 38-27.

North 1 Group 1

2-Pompton Lakes (16-8) at 1-Kittatinny (15-1)

Wrestlers to watch: PL, So. Justin Juchnewich (20-12, D4), 120; Jr. Chris Grecco (32-0, D3), 138; Jr. Sal Puglisi (26-5, D4), 145-152; Jr. Nico Negrini (19-5), 160-170; Fr. Frankie Negrini (21-10), 182-195; So. Drew Flynn (27-4, D2), 220; Sr. Nick Sanders (23-7), 285. K, Jr. Mark DiGeronimo (19-5, D1), 113; Sr. Nick Klinger (25-2, D1) 132; Sr. Austin Scrivani (25-1, D1, R3) 138; Jr. Josh Klimek (21-5, D3), 170; Fr. Zach Mafaro (20-5), 182.

Sectional titles: Pompton Lakes 1 (2015). Kittatinny 19 (1991, '93, '94, '95, '96, '98, '00, '01, '02, '03, '04, '05, '06, '07, '08, '11, '12, '13, '14).

Breakdown: Kittatinny -- seeking its 20th sectional title -- is coming off a 53-13 win over Butler in the semifinals. Coach John Gill's team was a heavy favorite coming into the tournament and figures to challenge for a Group 1 title. But first, the Cougars have to deal with a Pompton Lakes squad which captured the program's first title a year ago when Kittatinny was in North 1, Group 2. The Cardinals, who avenged a 42-25 regular-season loss to Cresskill on Jan. 27 with a 47-27 win on Wednesday, are heavy favorites at 220 and 285, but that's it if Grecco is at 138. Even 120 would be a tossup. Hard to see this one being close as Kittatinny has the potential for seven or eight wins and bonus points. Call 106 and 170 tosses, though I lean toward the Cougars in both. The Sussex County school advances in search of its first state title since 2008.

Prediction: Kittatinny, 51-19.

North 2, Group 4

2-Middletown North (18-4) at 1-Phillipsburg (14-3)

Wrestlers to watch: MN, Jr. Sean Deering (17-7, D2), 113; So. Stanley Wojdylak (25-3), 138; So. Nicholas Cofone (21-6), 152-160; Jr. Tom Anderson (22-6), 160-170; Sr. Anthony Vetrano (25-2, D1, R4), 182; Sr. Chad Freshnock (19-0, D1, R1), 220. P, So. Cullen Day (13-7), 106; Sr. Kyle Markus (24-6, D2, R3), 113; Sr. Tom Kosar (11-9, D2), 120; So. Brian Meyer (23-8, D1), 145; Sr. DJ Wissing (17-4, D2), 152; Jr. Drew Horun (21-5, D3), 195; Jr. Robert Melise (28-2, D1, R2, S5), 220; Sr. Kyle Nothnagel (27-4, D2, R3), 285.

Sectional titles: Middletown North 1 (1996). Phillipsburg 34 (1980, '81, '82, '83, '84, '85, '86, '87, '88, '89, '91, '92, '93, '94, '95, '96, '97, '98, '99, '00, '01, '02, '03, '04, '05, '06, '07, '08, '09, '10, '11, '12, '14, '15).

Breakdown: Stateliners -- who have designs on a 20th Group championship -- had little trouble on Wednesday with a 58-6 win over Montgomery in the semifinals. This one figures to be a little closer. Howell is a common opponent here as Middletown North, a Shore Conference Tournament semifinalist, dropped a 37-31 decision to the Rebels, while the 'Liners were 40-24 winners at The Pit. Tough to gauge by those boxes since Howell puts out different lineups every night it seems. The visitors will be favored at 138 and either 152 or 160 wherever DJ Wissing is not, as well as 170 and 182. North's upper weights are probably good enough to minimize the damage where P'burg is strong. Look for the 'Liners, who will be favored from 106-132 and 145, to take all three from 195-285 and close out The Pit in style.

Prediction: P'burg, 43-15.

North 2, Group 2

4-Caldwell (14-5) at 2-Lenape Valley (13-9)

Wrestlers to watch: C, So. Gerald Jones (17-2, D1, R3), 138; Sr. Dean Caravela (24-3, D1, R2-14, S8-14), 152; Jr. Christian Dalla Riva (22-5, D1), 170; Sr. Ryan Schaffer (25-2, D2, R4), 182. LV, Jr. Jacob Falleni (16-8, D1), 113; Jr. Nick Palumbo (26-5, D1, R4), 145; Sr. Sam Palumbo (26-5, D2), 182-195; Sr. Ralph Hall (21-9, D3), 220; Sr. Rich Fritzky (20-10, D3), 285.

Sectional titles: Caldwell 5 (1983, '85, '86, '90, '11). Lenape Valley 5 (1985, '98, '99, '09, '15).

Breakdown: Lenape Valley, which is seeking back-to-back sectional titles for just the second time in program history after a fine run to the Group 2 final last season, keeps chugging along despite losing four starters for the season due to injuries. Coach Doug Vetter's team dusted Parsippany, 45-25, in the semifinals and appeared headed for a rematch of the Group 2 final with Hanover Park. But Caldwell spoiled that party with a stunning 32-31 win on criteria against the Hornets on Wednesday. The Chiefs will be favored in spots where Lenape Valley usually plays the underdog role. If the bonus points pile up, this one could get away from the Pats. There are two huge bouts up for grabs -- 106 and 285 -- and the Pats need to get some bonus down low. The toss could be big figuring Lenape would like to match up Nick Palumbo with Caravela, in what would be a great bout. But the big question is whether a win there would override the bonus points the Pats are likely to surrender to make that one happen.

Prediction: Caldwell, 34-29.

Central Jersey, Group 2

2-Raritan (17-4) at 1-Delaware Valley (18-4)

Wrestlers to watch: R, Fr. Charles Barrale (21-5), 106; So. Christian Sookdeo (21-9), 113; So. Aaron Erven (20-9), 120; So. Russell Benson (27-2, D3), 126; Fr. Anthony Aquilano (19-5), 138; Sr. Nicholas Bohal (25-2, D2), 160. DV, Fr. AJ DeRosa (23-8), 113; Sr. Jake Moore (22-5, D3), 126; Sr. Kyle Refalvy (20-8, D4), 126; Jr. Matt Kolonia (26-4, D2, R4), 132; Jr. Rhys Zigich (22-9, D3), 145; So. Kyle Lightner (17-2), 182; Sr. Kyle Schlittler (26-3, D1, R4), 195.

Sectional titles: Raritan 2 (2004, '12). Delaware Valley 15 (1983, '84, '85, '87, '88, '89, '90, '93, '94, '99, '01, '02, '05, '06, '15).

Breakdown: In what's become one of the best postseason rivalries, Raritan and Delaware Valley are set to tee it up for the 13th time overall and the 10th meeting in the sectionals. Del Val, which holds a 7-5 edge in the series, broke its title drought a year ago by besting Raritan, 31-30, in the final, the program's first championship since 2006 and first under Andy Fitz, who captured four as a wrestler. Fitz is 7-7 in sectional matches, including 1-4 in the finals, as the head coach of his alma mater. Terriers have been rolling along of late, winning 10 in a row since a 33-27 loss to Hunterdon Central on Jan. 22, including a 45-13 victory over Robbinsville in the semifinals. The Rockets, who have one of the top coaches in New Jersey in Rob Nucci, will pose a stiffer challenge. To beat the Terriers, you need to be tough up top where they're a little vulnerable and the Rockets will be hard-pressed to take advantage, as they'll only be favored at 285 from 170 on up, with 170 and 220 being tossups. Del Val will have a chance to win every bout from 106-152, except 126 where Benson may be. Nick Bohal will be a big favorite at 160 for the Rockets. Del Val could win nine bouts and this would be a reasonable score because I think bonus points will be tough to come by on the home side. Raritan absolutely needs 106 and 170, and most likely 120 and 220. The last five meetings were decided by four points or fewer, so here we go again.

Prediction: Delaware Valley, 29-26.