Where: High Point Regional High School, Wantage Township.
When: Saturday, 7 p.m.
Conference: Independent.
TV/Radio/Internet: Service Electric Channel 10 (tape delay, Sussex only); MugsMedia.com.
Rankings (New Jersey Wrestling Writers): Phillipsburg No. 4; High Point No. 7.
Records: Phillipsburg 5-0; High Point 5-0.
Coaches: Dave Post (47-13, fourth season); John Gardner (273-73-2, 16th season).
Series history: Phillipsburg leads 15-1 dating to 1989, including six postseason meetings. High Point's only win came in last meeting in a regular-season dual on Jan. 31, 2009 -- 30-22 at The Pit. Stateliners' last victory was 45-22 in the 2003 Group 3 semifinals at Sovereign Bank Arena in Trenton. P'burg is 4-0 on the road, including a 62-6 victory in its last trip to Wantage on Jan. 3, 1998.
Note: Phillipsburg wrestlers listed first with season records in parentheses.
106 -- So. Brandon Paetzell (17-1) vs. Fr. Chase Babus (7-10) or Fr. Trevor Kocher (1-1).
113 -- So. Tyler Agans (3-9) vs. Sr. Michael Garrity (4-11).
120 -- So. DJ Wissing (12-6) vs. Jr. Dom Gallo (14-3) or Fr. Aric Wingle (4-5).
126 -- Sr. Tylor Petchonka (7-7) vs. So. Garrett Fenlon (0-6).
132 -- Jr. Steve Friedman (9-7) vs. Jr. Mike Derin (14-6).
138 -- Jr. Corey Zinsmeister (12-3) vs. Jr. Ryan Cullen (8-4).
145 -- Jr. Jimmy Schuitema (11-3) or Sr. Garrett Wolfinger (5-2) vs. Jr. Jason Gaccione (15-3) or Sr. Chris Auer (10-7).
152 -- Jr. Max Elling (16-4) or Jr. John Kaluzny (1-0) vs. Auer or Gaccione.
160 -- Sr. Broderick Bupivi (14-7) vs. Sr. Tommy Hooker (11-7).
170 -- Sr. Jake Kocsis (18-2) vs. Sr. Colby Brands (8-9).
182 -- Jr. Tim Hinkle (3-5) vs. Sr. Antonio Porraspita (12-6).
195 -- Jr. Joe Maso (10-4) vs. Sr. Kyle Stoll (15-5).
220 -- Fr. Drew Horun (10-5) or Fr. Robert Melise (1-0) vs. Sr. Bobby McDonnell (13-7) or So. Kevin Lewis (2-1).
285 -- Horun or Melise vs. Sr. Gunny Wassong (7-4) or Sr. Christian Campbell (5-8).
Breakdown: This match has been a long time in the making since High Point's thrilling win at The Pit in 2009. 'Cats, unfortunately, are not at full strength with stellar sophomore 126-pounder Jared Kobis on the shelf with a broken hand. His absence may create a huge swing in points. Without him, P'burg rates the favorite in at least six weights -- 106, 126, 138, 152, 160 and 170. Give High Point the edge at 120, 132, 182, 195, 220 and 285. That leaves tossups at 113, though I'd give the visitors a slight advantage there, and 145 should we see Gaccione-Schuitema in a clash of Region 1 champs. Those two are basically locked into weighing in at 145, with Auer down from 152. Both teams could make some moves down low. If the 'Cats have any shot to win this match, they will need that matchup at 145 (coin flip is big) and win both tosses. They'd also like Hooker-Bupivi and Porraspita-Hinkle matchups. P'burg, if it gets the flip, would likely insert Wolfinger at 145 or 152 against Gaccione and bump from there. 'Liners would then be favorites at 145 or 152, along with 160, 170 and 182, and try to weather the storm from 195-285. Stoll beat Maso, 3-2, in the Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex semifinals, but P'burg might opt for Hinkle there and take a chance with Maso vs. McDonnell at 220 to try and minimize the hosts' chance for bonus points up top. 'Liners certainly have the potential for more bonus points. With Kobis it's a lot tighter, but, barring some upsets, P'burg wins eight bouts and gets more bonus points to get the 'W.'
Prediction: Phillipsburg, 31-24.
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