Wrestling: Delaware Valley at Phillipsburg preview

What: Delaware Valley Terriers at Phillipsburg Stateliners.

Where: Phillipsburg High School, Lopatcong Twp.

When: Friday, 6:30 p.m.

Conference: Skyland cross-divisional.

Records: Delaware Valley 11-0; Phillipsburg 4-2.

State rankings (New Jersey Wrestling Writers): Delaware Valley No. 19; Phillipsburg No. 14.

Coaches: Andy Fitz (316-99, 19th season, 1-14 vs. P'burg); Tim Longacre (39-7, third season, 2-0 vs. Del Val).

Series history: Phillipsburg, which is 40-7 overall dating to 1975, won the previous two meetings, including last season's 39-23 victory in Alexandria Township. Delaware Valley ended a 13-match skid in the series with a thrilling 33-27 win at home on Jan. 30, 2023. Teams did not meet during the 1978-79, 2008-09, 2021 (COVID) and 2021-22 seasons. Del Val's last road victory in the series was 42-9 at The Pit on Feb. 1, 2006. The Terriers' other wins came in 1975, '82, '84, '93 and '05.

Notes: Delaware Valley wrestlers listed first with season records in parentheses. Weight classes reflect two-pound growth allowance.

108 -- Jr. Vincent Rainey (10-7) vs. So. Zack Swingle (11-7) or Fr. Rocco Munzipapa (2-7).

115 -- Jr. Owen Shuey (2-3) or Fr. Jaxon Bingert (2-2) vs. Fr. Jack Flynn (2-6) or Swingle.

122 -- Sr. Tristan Fawthrop (14-4) vs. Jr. Anthony Pettinelli (10-6).

128 -- Sr. Julian Bednar (11-4) or So. Tanner Donaruma (14-8) vs. Fr. Noah Regemann (5-10).

134 -- Donaruma or Bednar vs. So. Matthew Velez (2-9).

140 -- Sr. Tye Falkenstein (15-6) vs. Sr. Massimo Gonzalez (16-2).

146 -- Sr. Michael Hasson (21-1) vs. So. Mason Hawk (13-4).

152 -- Sr. Sebastian Dobak (19-1) vs. Jr. Owen Garriques (17-2).

159 -- So. Hunter Taffera (15-4) vs. Sr. Brad Kisselbach (12-8).

167 -- Jr. Marcus Gary (16-4) vs. Jr. Seth Wolfinger (3-6).

177 -- Sr. Olivier Paul (18-2) vs. Sr. Gavin Geleta (15-2).

192 -- Jr. Matthew Sencher (12-6) vs. Sr. Kevin Buonocore (4-8).

217 -- Sr. Luke Cyphert (15-5) vs. Fr. Ian Jankowski (7-8).

287 -- Sr. Luken Alberdi (12-8) vs. Sr. Ben Ellis (14-4).

Breakdown: Delaware Valley, which is in the midst of its toughest stretch of regular-season dual meets, passed its first big test of the season with a 41-27 road win (No. 888 overall) over North Hunterdon on Tuesday -- the Terriers' second victory in three seasons vs. the Lions, who are 26-33 in that series. Del Val's balanced

P'burg is 235-44-2 all-time vs. Hunterdon-Warren teams

lineup should also present problems for P'burg as the Stateliners, who also beat North (35-30 on Jan. 7), are coming off a 36-28 victory over Watchung Hills (No. 1,068 overall) on Wednesday. Straight up, P'burg is favored at seven weights (106 with Swingle down, 113, 120, 138, 150, 175 and 285, with one tossup (190) and the potential for bonus in at least two of those. Del Val has a big edge at 126 and 132, and will be favored at 144, 157, 165 and 215 (four of those with bonus potential). The Terriers went 3-2 in head-to-head meetings at the Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament -- Bednar md. Velez (15-5); Hasson d. Hawk (10-8); Cyphert md. Jankowski (16-5). P'burg picked up wins Gonzalez (6-0 over Falkenstein) and and Ellis (pinned Alberdi in 3:40). Depending where the match starts -- preferable for P'burg to start down low or at 285 -- Del Val, which has more depth, could opt to bump away from Garriques in a clash of state qualifiers at 150, for a greater opportunity to take three of four from 157-190. Fitz also may feel his team can do that straight up and save points at 150 and 175, in potential losses. For P'burg, getting Swingle, who didn't wrestle on Wednesday, back down at 106 will also be key for the best shot at winning three of the first four down low. Hasson vs. Hawk was a tight one here at HWS, so that could be the bout of the night. Del Val is used to winning at 138, 150 and 175 in most duals, but that's a tall order in this one. As a result, I think P'burg saves a few bonus points and gets one as the underdogs (190 could be a swing bout) to escape in what should be another nail-biter.    

Prediction: Phillipsburg, 30-25.