The Lions (18-0), who are looking to complete the first unbeaten campaign in the program's 63-season history and its fourth with 20 wins, hold steady in the No. 4 spot. Coach Chris Hrunka's team, which is seeking the school's 15th sectional title and first since 2015, is the top seed in North 2, Group 4."Last time we won a sectional title was in our gym," said Hrunka, whose team would host the title match on Friday at 6 p.m. "There's certainly a buzz [in school]."
North, which won the Skyland Conference Raritan Division title, this season, has certainly been tested this season with wins over No. 5 Kingsway and No. 13 Paulsboro in the Boresch Duals on Jan. 4, along with knocking off No. 12 High Point and No. 18 West Essex to claim the Patriot Duals championship on Jan. 25.
"Our kids are at a point now where they are not going to be intimidated by anybody," Hrunka said. "They are going to battle."
Phillipsburg (13-2), which is the No. 2 seed in North 2, Group 4 and is looking to avenge a 30-24 loss to North -- the program's first since 2007 -- on Jan. 15, checks in at No. 10 again this week. The Stateliners, who are 38-2 all-time in sectional finals, cruised to a 76-0 win over Millburn in the first round as they are bidding for the Warren County school's seventh straight sectional championship and its 39th overall out of a possible 41 since the tournaments began in 1980.
High Point (10-4), considered the heavy favorite to win a Group 2 state title, holds steady at the No. 12 spot in the NJWWA Top 20. The Wildcats, who are the top seed in North 1, Group 2, are seeking their fourth straight sectional title and second Group 2 championship in three seasons.
Pope John (9-7) drops two spots to No. 15, following a 43-31 loss to Seton Hall Prep, which was previously ranked 15th, last Wednesday. The top-seeded Lions are seeking the program's third straight sectional title in Non-Public North B.
NJWWA voting members listed in alphabetical order: Donald J. Brower (GardenStateHSWrestling.com); Frank D’Esposito (theshoreconference.com; Steven Falk (Asbury Park Press and APP.com); Sean Farrell (The Record of Hackensack and NorthJersey.com); Jane Havsy (Daily Record and DailyRecord.com); “Screwy” Louie Lazzari (New Jersey wrestling historian); John Lewis (Burlington County Times and phillyburbs.com); Ron Mazzola (NJWWA president and Region V ranking chairman); Tom McGurk (Courier Post of Cherry Hill); Andy Mendlowitz (Courier News and MyCentralJersey.com); Greg Tufaro (Home News Tribune and MyCentralJersey.com); Michael Weilamann (Open Mike).
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