What: Phillipsburg Stateliners vs. Hunterdon Central Red Devils.
Where: Hunterdon Central Field House, Raritan Township.
When: Wednesday, 6:30 p.m.
Conference: Skyland Raritan Division.
Records: Phillipsburg 4-0, 2-0 division; Hunterdon Central 9-0, 3-0.
Coaches: Dave Post (116-18, eighth season, 8-2 vs. HC); Jon Cantagallo-Rohm (68-15, fourth season, 0-3 vs. P'burg).
State rankings (New Jersey Writers Association): Phillipsburg No. 5; Hunterdon Central No. 8.
Live feed: Stateliner Sports Network (http://www.ustream.tv/channel/stateliner-sports)
Series history: Phillipsburg, which won five straight in the series, owns a 39-7-1 overall edge dating to 1962, including seven postseason meetings. The 'Liners posted a 34-24 victory in the last matchup on Jan. 11, 2017. Hunterdon Central had won four of seven until a pair of losses in 2014 -- 41-18 in the regular season and 55-9 in the North 2, Group 4 final. Red Devils' last wins came in 2013 -- 34-30 in a regular-season match at The Pit and 30-29 at home in the North 2, Group 4 final. P'burg is 19-3 all-time as the visitor and 19-3-1 in meetings at The Pit and the new gym. Two matches were held at neutral sites -- P'burg's 25-23 victory in 1981 at Princeton's Jadwin Gym and Hunterdon Central's 39-11 win in the 2010 Group 4 semifinals at Toms River North.
Probable lineups: Phillipsburg wrestlers listed first with season records in parentheses.
106 -- Fr. Logan Maczko (8-5) vs. Fr. Brett Ungar (13-0).
113 -- Sr. Cullen Day (10-4) vs. Fr. Colton Washleski (11-3).
120 -- Jr. Travis Jones (12-4) vs. Jr. Jack Bauer (10-2).
126 -- Jr. Luke Hardin (1-3) or Jr. Brenden Fox (0-3) vs. So. Anthony Romaniello (10-2).
132 -- Jr. Kyle Tino (6-2) or Jr. Thomas Abode (0-1) vs. Sr. Hunter Graf (13-1) or So. Grant Bloch (2-3).
138 -- Jr. Cody Harrison (12-2) vs. Jr. Pasquale Vizzoni (4-0).
145 -- Jr. Jayson Zinsmeister (9-6) vs. Jr. Vincent Romaniello (10-3).
152 -- Sr. Brian Meyer (10-2) or Sr. Josh Ramos (7-5) vs. Fr. Norman Cella (8-4).
160 -- Ramos or Meyer vs. Sr. Kevin Ciresa (11-3).
170 -- Sr. Lance Wissing (16-2) vs. Jr. Dan Furmato (12-2).
182 -- Jr. Austin Roth (5-3) or Sr. Shamyr Brodders (4-7) vs. Jr. Kyle Barrett (8-6).
195 -- Brodders or Roth vs. So. Lukas Bakerian (11-3).
220 -- So. Cody Cruts (4-6) vs. Sr. Angelo Crespo (5-2) or Sr. Reese Young (6-4).
285 -- Sr. Patrick Sharpe (10-5) vs. Jr. Ryan Joyce (5-7).
Breakdown: This one has all the makings to be the match of the year in our area. Hunterdon Central has the more balanced lineup, but can it capitalize in the upper weights and win enough of the close ones? That will be the key to ending a five-match skid in this series after letting one get away last season. Phillipsburg has some vulnerable spots in the lineup, but you have to think the 'Liners also have a good chance to get most of the close ones. Straight up, P'burg is favored at 113, 120, 138, 152 (Meyer), 170 and 182 (Roth). Central gets the nod at 106, 126, 132, 160, 195 and 220 (Crespo). Call 145 and 285 tossups. Jones vs. Bauer was a good one last year with Jones hitting a five-pointer en route to a 7-2 win. Depending on the toss, P'burg could run Tino to 138 and Harrison to 145 if Graf comes out first at 132, giving the 'Liners a strong chance to sweep from 138-160. Central has some options to may make a move or two depending on the match score and where this one starts. Graf would most likely have to stay put at 132 vs. Tino, but look for Ciresa to move up to 170, where Wissing rates a favorite, as the Red Devils bump Furmato to 182 and Young to 220 to try for a sweep up top from 182-285. Bonus points will be hard to come by for both teams. The winner likely needs five from these (120, 145, 152, 182, 195, 220, 285) to get seven bouts. I think the 'Liners pull it off and maybe get an upset to boot. But anyway you slice it, this one is tight.
Prediction: Phillipsburg, 25-22.
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