Wrestling preview: Newton at High Point

What: Newton Braves at High Point Wildcats.

Where: High Point Regional High School, Wantage, N.J.

When: Friday, 7 p.m.

Conference: Northwest Jersey Athletic (non-division).

Records: Newton 0-1; High Point 2-0.

Coaches: Eric Bollette (147-91-1, 11th season); John Gardner (234-63-2, 14th season).

Series history: High Point leads 31-7 dating to 1970, including a 50-15 victory last season on Dec. 23, 2010. 'Cats have won eight straight in the series, their second-longest streak since winning 17 in a row from 1986 to 2002. Newton's last win the series was 31-27 during the 2002-03 season. Braves won five of the first six meetings from 1970-79 and 31-21 in 1985.

Note: Newton wrestlers listed first with records in parentheses.

106 -- Sr. Ashley Iliff (1-2) vs. Sr. John Torppey (4-2) or Fr. Dom Gallo (0-2).

113 -- So. Anthony Brown (0-0) vs. or Jr. Collin Grimm (2-2) or Torppey.

120 -- Sr. Connor Huber (0-2) vs. Fr. Mike Derin (2-0) or So. Chris Auer (4-2) or Grimm.

126 -- Jr. Jason VanDerGroef (0-1) vs. Jr. Connor McHugh (0-0) or Derin or Auer.

132 -- Sr. Steven Churchill (4-0) vs. Fr. Jason Gaccione (2-0).

138 -- So. Niko Grello (3-2) vs. Sr. Alec Alvino (3-3).

145 -- Sr. Logan Morales (0-3) vs. So. Brien Alvino (1-0) or So. Brett Picher (0-3).

152 -- Jr. Josh Sibblies (4-1) or Sr. Justin Hu (0-1) vs. So. Thomas Hooker (1-4).

160 -- Sibblies or Hu vs. So. Antonio Porraspita (2-2).

170 -- So. Garrett Richards (0-3) vs. Sr. Kevin Pettenger (1-3).

182 -- Open vs. So. Kyle Stoll (2-0).

195 -- Sr. Jake Connelly (4-0) vs. So. Drew Bye (2-3).

220 -- Open vs. So. Gunther Wassong (1-2) or So. Robert McDonnell (2-0).

285 -- Sr. Brandon Grant (2-1) vs. Sr. Chris Epperly (0-3).

Breakdown: First big showdown in the Sussex County area this season. High Point is off to a 2-0 start with just about an all-new cast and rates as the favorite in this one against a Newton team that is battling injuries and inexperience at several weights. Torppey-Iliff at 106 would be a battle between District 3 placewinners. Torppey earned a 9-1 major over Iliff in last year's dual. The Braves are only favored in four weight classes with Region 1 placers Churchill and Connelly, along with Sibblies and Grant. Grello-Alvino at 138 could be interesting. High Point would be heavily-favored in all others, likely getting forfeits at 182 and 220. 'Cats have not lost a conference dual since 2005 -- a 39-18 loss to Kittatinny on Jan. 22. High Point is 50-0 overall in both SCIL and NJAC matches dating to the 2005-06 season and has a 54-match conference win streak.

Prediction: High Point, 49-23.