Tuesday, February 9, 2016

Wrestling: Sectional semifinals breakdowns, picks

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

Winners advance to Friday's championship round.

North 1, Group 4

3-Warren Hills (12-7) at 2-Old Tappan (17-4)

Wrestlers to watch: WH, Fr. Cody Harrison (16-5), 106; So. Kyle Wulff (19-8), 113; So. Codey O'Rourke (16-8), 120; Jr. Matt Valli (28-0, D1-14), 126; Jr. Zach Nauta (18-6, D4), 138; So. Jarod Ostir (10-7) 160. OT, So. Matthew Murawski (24-3), 106; Jr. Peter Andresen (14-9, D4), 132; Jr. Declan Ward (20-7, D3), 145; Sr. Andrew Arakelian (18-9), 160; Sr. Tyler Mullen (25-0, D1, R1, S5), 160-170; Sr. Joseph Jordan (22-3, D2, R3), 195; Sr. Jedh Downey (21-3, D3) 220-285

Sectional titles: Warren Hills 5 (1982, '90, '97, '98, '07); Old Tappan 0.

Breakdown: Warren Hills, which is dealing with a few key injuries, rolled to a 36-15 win over No. 6 seed Mendham on Monday night. The Blue Streaks have been without Harrison and senior Kurt Nemeth due to head injuries. Even at full strength, coach Jarrett Hosbach's team would be a slight underdog in this one, as the hosts have too much firepower up top.. Old Tappan, the No. 2 seed, nearly knocked off Group 1 contender Kittatinny (35-30 loss on Jan. 16) and battled Emerson-Park Ridge tooth-and-nail in a 35-33 loss on Dec. 22. Conversely, the Streaks lost a 41-27 decision to Emerson-Park Ridge -- longtime coach Stan Woods' 700th victory -- on Saturday. Winner of this one will likely earn a date with top-seeded Roxbury in the final. The Gaels beat Old Tappan, 37-25, in last year's title match.

Prediction: Old Tappan, 36-24.

North 1, Group 3

3-Sparta (12-7) at 2-Montville (17-4)

Wrestlers to watch: S, Fr. Chris Hwang (25-6), 106; Sr. Garrett Gerndt (18-4, D2), 120; Sr. Grant Gerndt (23-6), 126; Sr. Al Falco (26-5, D3), 170; So. Robbie Gennat (23-7, D2), 220-285; Jr. Zach Herbert (21-4, D2), 220-285. M, Jr. Ronald Rumsby (21-6, D3), 106; So. Connor Meytrott (23-5, D2), 126-132; Jr. Dominic Fano (27-1, D4), 145; Sr. Edward Marucci (25-2), 152; Sr. Alex Zevits (24-6, D4), 160; Sr. Dillon Fazliu (17-8, D4), 170; So. Liridon Leka (23-4), 220; Jr. Parker Fox (25-2, D2), 285.

Sectional titles: Sparta 2 (1983, 2000); Montville 1 (2009).

Breakdown: Rematch here as Sparta dropped a tight 30-28 decision on Jan. 22. Fox beat Gennat, 1-0, while the Spartans also lost a one-point decision at 138 pounds. Herbert beat Leka, 2-0, at 220 in another key matchup. Montville gives teams fits because it has balance, including a solid middle. In the last meeting there were five decisions with a margin of two points or fewer. Oddly, there were also two forfeits -- one each. Expect another close one with the winner getting defending champion Paramus in the final. Last year, Sparta lost, 29-24, to Paramus in the title match.

Prediction: Montville, 31-27.

North 1 Group 2

3-Pequannock (10-7) at 2-High Point (13-6)

Wrestlers to watch: P, So. Joe Carmichael (19-8), 113; Jr. Steve Pocze (21-5, D2), 120; Sr. Alex Zangrilli (21-7, D1, R2), 145; Sr. Patrick Daly (23-2, D1, R1), 195; Sr. Jacob Foukas (14-9, D4), 220. HP, Fr. Devin Flannery (21-6) 106; So. Shane Kobis (19-11) 132; Sr. Jared Kobis (19-0, D1, R1), 145; Jr. Aric Wingle (13-5, D4-14), 152; Sr. Kevin Lewis (20-8, D1, R4), 195.

Sectional titles: Pequannock 5 (1984, '95, '01, '03, '05). 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).

Breakdown: High Point is seeking its 25th sectional title -- the most in Sussex County -- after a 45-20 loss to Lenape Valley in last year's sectional final ended a run of five straight championships. The 'Cats open against the third-seeded Golden Panthers, who posted a 39-26 victory over No. 5 Pascack Hills on Monday, in a rematch of last year's semifinals -- a 30-29 win for the 'Cats. This one doesn't figure to be that close as High Point will be able to win some up top where it is normally is the underdog. The coaches -- Pequannock's Len Smith (443) and High Point's John Gardner (305) have combined for 748 victories.

Prediction: High Point, 37-21.

North 1 Group 1

4-Butler (17-3) at 1-Kittatinny (15-1)

Wrestlers to watch: B, Brandon Wyble (16-4), 120; Sr. Garrett O'Shea (27-1, D2, R1, S4), 126-132; So. Marc Anthony Federici (20-5) 132-138; Jr. Wayde Kenney (18-5), 152; Sr. Daniel Castiglia (26-3), 170. K, Jr. Mark DiGeronimo (18-5, D1), 113; Sr. Nick Klinger (25-1, D1) 132; Sr. Austin Scrivani (24-1, D1, R3) 138; Jr. Josh Klimek (20-5, D3), 170; Fr. Zach Mafaro (19-5), 182.

Sectional titles: Butler 0; Kittatinny 19 (1991, '93, '94, '95, '96, '98, '00, '01, '02, '03, '04, '05, '06, '07, '08, '11, '12, '13, '14).

Breakdown: Cougars are heavy favorites to win their 20th sectional title under veteran coach John Gill, whose team did not reach the finals last year for the first time since 1999. Butler comes in with an impressive dual meet record, but has not faced very stiff competition. The Morris County school, which reached the semis with a 46-25 win over fifth-seeded New Milford on Monday, does feature a state placewinner in O'Shea, who transferred in after three seasons at Morris Knolls. O'Shea vs. Klinger would be the featured match. The Bulldogs also have been short-handed as Randy Wyble (12-4 at 113), a Region 1 qualifier, has not wrestled since Jan. 9. The matchups favor the hosts.

Prediction: Kittatinny, 58-15.

North 2, Group 4

4-Montgomery (15-5) at 1-Phillipsburg (13-3)

Wrestlers to watch: M, So. Matthew Lisanti (17-8), 106-113; Sr. Jacob Frisch (23-6, D3), 120; Sr. Terence Rohmeyer (26-3, D1, R4), 126; Sr. August Rohmeyer (24-6, D4), 132; So. Jacob McCarthy (19-9), 138; Jr. Kyle Marrapodi (19-8), 152; Jr. Dylan D'Amore (28-0, D1), 285. P, So. Cullen Day (12-7), 106; Sr. Kyle Markus (23-6, D2, R3), 113; Sr. Tom Kosar (10-9, D2), 120; So. Brian Meyer (22-8, D1), 145; Sr. DJ Wissing (16-4, D2), 152; Jr. Drew Horun (20-5, D3), 195; Jr. Robert Melise (27-2, D1, R2, S5), 220; Sr. Kyle Nothnagel (26-4, D2, R3), 285.

Sectional titles: Montgomery 0; 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: Two Skyland Conference schools set to clash for the first time in the postseason, as the Stateliners are 6-0 all-time vs. the Cougars dating to 2008, when both were in the Delaware Division. Scores of those matches were -- 57-15, 54-13, 60-6, 55-15, 54-15 and 72-3 in the last meeting on Jan. 8, 2014. P'burg is 3-0 vs. Montgomery at The Pit. Speaking of which, this may be the next-to-last match wrestled at the fabled gym following Monday night's Board of Education meeting where it was ruled that all P'burg home matches next season will be at the new high school. Terence Rohmeyer is 10 wins shy of becoming just the fourth wrestler in Montgomery's history to reach 100 for his career. The Cougars are making just their third sectionals appearance and second in the semifinals after a 35-34 win on criteria over Scotch Plains on Monday. P'burg is seeking its 35th sectional title -- missing only in 1990 (34-30 to Warren Hills in the North 2, Group 3 final) and 2013 (30-29 to Hunterdon Central in the North 2, Group 4 final).

Prediction: P'burg, 58-10.

North 2 Group 3

3-Voorhees (13-11) at 2-Passaic Valley (12-8)

Wrestlers to watch: V, So. Colby Koshinski (24-6), 106; Sr. Kyle DiNapoli (18-0, D1, R3, S8), 132; Jr. Michael Fernandes (26-3, D2), 160; Fr. Lewis Fernandes (22-7), 170; So. Scott Fernandes (24-7), 182; Sr. Derek Howarth (24-6, D1), 220. PV, Jr. Kenny Kerwin (22-3, D3), 106; Jr. Nicholas DeNora (22-5, D2), 113-120; Fr. Gregory Sabbak (23-4), 113-120; Sr. Jala 'a Darwish (25-3, D1, R1, S6), 170; Sr. Christopher Armagno (23-4, D2, R3), 195; Sr. Gianni Palumbo (21-8, D2), 220; So. Thomas Marretta (14-5), 285.

Sectional titles: Voorhees 16 (1980, '81, '82, '83, '85, '86, '87, '88, '89, '91, '95, '96, '98, '04, '13, '15); Passaic Valley 3 (1981, '05, '10).

Breakdown: Voorhees had won just six sectional titles in 23 years after winning nine in the span of 10 seasons from 1980-89 under former coach Bob Hall, before his son, Eric, a star wrestler for the Vikes, guided the program to a pair of championships in the last three seasons. The Vikes captured their 16th sectional crown a year ago as all four Hunterdon County teams won in the same season for the first time in tournament history. Hall is 7-4 overall in sectional matches, following a 45-28 win over Lyndhurst-North Arlington on Monday. The return of DiNapoli, a state placewinner, who missed time with a concussion sustained on Jan. 9, is a major boost. Passaic Valley is good down low and up top, and figures to have the edge in spots where Voorhees is strong. Both lost to Emerson-Park Ridge by similar scores -- Voorhees, 48-24, and Passaic Valley, 45-30. This could be a 7-7 split with key bouts at 106, 126, 138, 152 and 220. Voorhees could bump to get 145 with bonus. This is a tight one.

Prediction: Passaic Valley, 34-30.

North 2, Group 2

3-Parsippany (12-6) at 2-Lenape Valley (12-9)

Wrestlers to watch: P, Sr. Kevin Jones (19-3, D2, R2), 120-126; Jr. PJ Gohn (14-5, D3, R3), 126; Jr. Michael Ilic (16-6, D2), 170; Sr. Nigel Feliz (18-3, D3), 182. LV, Jr. Jacob Falleni (15-8, D1), 113; Jr. Nick Palumbo (25-5, D1, R4), 145; Sr. Sam Palumbo (25-5, D2), 182-195; Sr. Ralph Hall (20-9, D3), 220; Sr. Rich Fritzky (20-10, D3), 285.

Sectional titles: Parsippany 3 (1999, '00, '09); Lenape Valley 5 (1985, '98, '99, '09, '15).

Breakdown: Lenape Valley 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. Coach Doug Vetter's team has been ravaged by injuries and found its way here as the No. 2 seed. The Pats usually have a big advantage up top, but this match could hinge on Parsippany's ability to limit the damage from 195-285. The visitors should rack up the points down low with potential for bonus in four of the first six weights. This could be a 7-7 split, but Parsippany figures to pile up the bonus points and that's the difference.

Prediction: Parsippany, 38-24.

Central Jersey, Group 5

3-Old Bridge (15-3) at 2-Hunterdon Central (16-2)

Wrestlers to watch: OB, So. Jake Wiatroski (22-8), 106; So. Mike Botte (21-7, D2), 113; Sr. Stephen Nadera (26-3, D1, R2), 120; Sr. Xavier Jenkins (26-2, D3), 152; Sr. Dan Makagon (23-5, D3), 220; Sr. Dakota De Santis (20-9), 285. HC, Fr. Jack Bauer (20-6), 106; So. Hunter Graf (22-5, D1, R2), 113; Jr. Peter Nace (21-4, D1, R2), 120; So. Kevin Ciresa (20-4, D2), 145; Jr. Michael Iodice (22-3, D2, R4), 170; Jr. Victor Lacombe (22-2, D3), 220.

Sectional titles: Old Bridge 2 (2001, '02); Hunterdon Central 20 (1980, '81, '82, '83, '84, '87, '88, '89, '93, '94, '95, '97, '98, '99, '00, '03, '10, '11, '13, '15).

Breakdown: This is in interesting matchup and one that could be closer than you may think. Old Bridge can match up down low and in the middle, but Central figures to have the edge from 170-285, depending on where Makagon and Lacombe step on the mat. Figure Lacombe bumps to 285 if the match dictates needing to win either 220 or 285. Red Devils are looking at bonus points in at least four weights, while the visitors should have the same opportunities. Down low, 106 and 113 could be entertaining. Central moves on for a likely rematch with Howell in the final.

Prediction: Hunterdon Central, 37-25.

Central Jersey, Group 2

4-Robbinsville (16-5) at 1-Delaware Valley (17-4)

Wrestlers to watch: R, Jr. Logan Fox (25-2, D1, R4), 113; So. Brent Grocott (20-9, D3), 120; Fr. Garrett Bilgrav (22-8), 138; Jr. Kyle Twamley (21-7), 152; Sr. Elijah McNeil (23-5, D3), 160; Sr. Anthony Lettera (21-7), 170; Sr. Sean Tonry (19-4, D3), 182; Sr. Derek Sanders (20-9), 285. DV, Fr. AJ DeRosa (22-8), 113; Sr. Jake Moore (21-5, D3), 126; Sr. Kyle Refalvy (19-8, D4), 126; Jr. Matt Kolonia (25-4, D2, R4), 132; Jr. Rhys Zigich (21-9, D3), 145; So. Kyle Lightner (16-2), 182; Sr. Kyle Schlittler (25-3, D1, R4), 195.

Sectional titles: Robbinsville 1 (2010); Delaware Valley 15 (1983, '84, '85, '87, '88, '89, '90, '93, '94, '99, '01, '02, '05, '06, '15).

Breakdown: Delaware Valley broke its title drought a year ago by besting Raritan 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 nine in a row since a 33-27 loss to Hunterdon Central on Jan. 22. Robbinsville poses some matchup problems in this one as coach Rich Gildner, a former state champ for Southern, has done a nice job with the fairly new program. Can it catch Del Val looking ahead to another showdown with Raritan in Friday's finals? Unlikely, but the Terriers will need to be on their game to move on. There are potentially six key bouts -- 106, 113, 120, 132 and 145. Del Val has an edge in most from 145 on up, with potential bonus points in four spots overall. Robbinsville also forfeits either 220 or 285, so that's another edge for the host.

Prediction: Delaware Valley, 35-16.

Non-Public North A

4-Pope John (18-3) at 1-Bergen Catholic (12-1)

Wrestlers to watch: PJ, Fr. Joe Aragona (29-0), 106-113; Jr. Christian Deehan (25-4, D2), 106-113; So. Jake Rotunda (25-3, D1, R2), 120; Fr. Robert Garcia (26-3), 126-132; Jr. Ryan Luchs (19-8, D3); 126-132; Sr. Joe Frumolt (22-7, D3), 170; So. Jake Brown (25-4, D2), 182. BC, So. Carmen Ferrante (23-6, D1, R3, S8), 113; So. Gerard Angelo (18-3, D2, R2, S1), 120; Sr. Nick Suriano (25-0, D1, R1, S1), 126; Fr. Christopher Foca (19-5), 132; Sr. Brady Ford (25-4, D1, R4), 152; Sr. Joe Grello (27-2, D1, R1, S1), 170; Fr. Josh McKenzie (22-4), 182; Sr. Kevin Mulligan (26-3, D1, R1, S1), 195.

Sectional titles: Pope John 7 (1981, '82, '83, '86, '88, '92, '94); Bergen Catholic 17 (1990, '91, '92, '94, '95, '96, '02, '03, '04, '05, '06, '08, '09, '12, '13, '14, '15).

Breakdown: Another rematch here in the toughest section in New Jersey. Bergen Catholic, the undisputed No. 1 team in the state, scored a 43-17 win over Pope John on Jan. 18. Lions are a nice story as they're making the program's first postseason appearance since 1994, when it claimed the last of its seven Non-Public North B titles. Coach Mark Piotrowsky's team advanced with a 37-29 victory over St. Peter's Prep on Monday night, which was a little closer on the scoreboard due to the absence of Rotunda. His availability for this one is unknown. It won't matter as the Crusaders march on toward their fifth straight championship and 12th in 15 years.

Prediction: Bergen Catholic, 48-14.

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