Here's Open Mike's take on the Groups involving area teams on Sunday at Pine Belt Arena on the campus of Toms River North High School.
The semifinal round begins at 10 a.m. with Groups 1 and 4, followed by Groups 2 and 3 at 12:30 p.m. The championships in Groups 1 and 4 and Parochial B are at 3:30 p.m., with the title matches in Groups 2, 3 and Parochial A at 6 p.m.
Group 4
Titles: Phillipsburg 17 (Group 3) — 1983, '89, '91, '92, '95, '96, 2003, '04, '09. (Group 4) — 1986, '87, '88, '97, '98, '99, 2000, '12. Southern 1 (2005). Howell 0 -- won first sectional title in 2014. Clifton 0 -- won sectional titles in 1984, 1986 (Gr4 runner-up), 2014.
Phillipsburg Stateliners (16-0)
So. Brandon Paetzell (28-1, D1, R1, S5), 106; So. Tyler Agans (9-13), 113; So. DJ Wissing (19-10), 120; Sr. Tylor Petchonka (14-11, D3), 126; Jr. Steve Friedman (14-13, D4) 132; Jr. Corey Zinsmeister (20-6) 138; Sr. Garrett Wolfinger (11-5), 145-152; Jr. Jimmy Schuitema (21-4, D1, R1) 145-152; Jr. Max Elling (27-4, D1, R2), 152-160; Sr. Broderick Bupivi (22-9, D1, R4) 160-170; Sr. Jake Kocsis (29-2, D2, R3) 170-182; Jr. Tim Hinkle (7-7), 182-195; Jr. Joe Maso (19-6, D2) 195-220; Fr. Robert Melise (2-4), 220; Fr. Drew Horun (19-7), 220-285.
Clifton Mustangs (19-2)
Fr. James Murdoch (24-9), 106; Fr. Anthony Tuda (21-9), 113; Sr. Jean DuBois (12-0, D1, R1, S4), 120-126; Fr. Kareem Askew (21-0), 120-126; Sr. Khalil Zawaide (27-3, D1), 126; So. Mohamed Farhan (29-1, D1, R2), 132; Sr. Maurice Marsilla (24-9), 138; Sr. Jonathan Routis (14-14), 145; So. Patrick DePasque (28-7, D2), 152; Sr. Steven Naideck (21-10, D4), 160; Sr. Sr. James Sonzogni (20-2, D1), 170; Sr. Stephen Gonzales (12-12), 170-182; Sr. Daniel Czarnecki (15-10, D4), 182; Sr. Eddie Mazur (16-10), 195; Sr. Tyler Nasr (7-11), 220; Sr. Mahmoud Allen (8-13), 220; Sr. Tarek Awad (21-9, D3), 285.
Howell Rebels (28-3)
So. Peter Dee (26-4), 106; Jr. Mikey Sisolak (23-6), 113; Sr. Jimmy Slendorn (28-3, D2, R4), 120; So. Anthony Gagliano (22-5, D4), 126; Sr. Josue Pierre-Louis (18-8), 132-138; So. Kris Lindemann (24-7), 132-138; Jr. Anthony Pozsonyi (9-11), 145; Sr. Jack Rada (19-11, D3), 152; Jr. David Nocks (7-10), 152; Jr. Nick Lurski (15-11), 160; Sr. Joey Schultz (28-0, D1, R2), 170; Jr. Austin Silverstein (14-9), 182; Sr. Stephen Boncimino (22-7), 182-195; Jr. Sean Silverstein (4-5), 195; Sr. Nathan Litowsky (20-9, D4), 220-285; Sr. Kyle Cocozza (26-4, D1), 220-285.
Southern Rams (19-0)
Jr. Frank Amiano (18-10), 106; Jr. James Knoeller (24-2, D2), 113; Jr. Chris Crane (21-2, D3), 120; Sr. Andrew Tonneson (21-1, D2), 126; Sr. Bryan Brown (14-5), 132; Sr. Brian Bowker (8-0), 138; Jr. Matt Wilhelm (21-2), 138; Sr. Zach Wilhelm (18-4, D1, R4, S8-12), 145; Sr. Nicholas Racanelli (19-2, D2), 152; Fr. Seon Bowker (8-2), 160; So. Peyton Blauvelt (8-6), 170; Sr. Gerardo Jorge (21-4, D1), 170-182; Jr. Patrick Ferraro (13-8), 195; Sr. Jesse Bauta (19-2, D3), 220; Fr. Josh Bento (7-6).
Breakdown: Stateliners shooting for their 18th championship -- ninth in Group 4 -- and first since setting this place on its ear with a thrilling win over Brick Memorial in the 2012 final. Coach Dave Post's squad is aiming to become the fourth unbeaten squad in the storied program's history and first since the 1969-70 squad capped a run of three straight unbeaten seasons under legendary coach Thad Turner. First up is the Clifton Mustangs, who claimed the program's third sectional title and first since 1986 -- when they dropped a 39-21 decision to the 'Liners in the Group 4 final at Hunterdon Central's Field House. The Stateliner faithful broke out in a chant of "O-ber-ly, O-ber-ly," during the 188-pound bout, when their own Rob Packard was getting roughed up by the Mustangs' Rich Ceynowa, who lost to Warren Hills stud Ben Oberly twice that season, including a 6-1 decision in the 1986 state finals. Clifton features some tough customers, including senior Jean DuBois, who placed fourth at 113 last year in Atlantic City. On the adjacent mat, there'll be another War at the Shore, as Howell and Southern battle it out to face P'burg in the final. The Rams beat the Rebels, 28-19, on Jan. 11 -- match that saw seven matches decided by two points or fewer. Howell, which sustained a 33-15 loss to P'burg on Jan. 25, is making its first appearance at the Group championships after winning a loaded Central Jersey, Group 4 section. Rebels are on a roll, but coach John Stout's Rams, who are very well balanced, win a tight one to set up a finals battle between unbeatens. Key bouts will be down low (113, 120, 126, 132, 138) and Southern needs most of those. Be interesting to see how P'burg plays it in the middle, figuring the 'Liners weigh in straight up. Schuitema-Z. Wilhelm is one matchup P'burg would like in the middle. One benefit is that Southern and Howell have to weigh-in for each other. This final should be a classic.
Prediction: Phillipsburg, 42-16, over Clifton in the semifinals. (P'burg over Southern, 26-24, in the final).
Group 2
Titles: High Point 3 (Group 3) -- 2008, '11; (Group 2) 2013. Delsea 1 (1991). Hanover Park 0 (Lost three times in Gr1 finals -- 2004, '12 and '13). Wall Township 0 -- won first sectional title in 2014.
High Point Wildcats (15-4)
Fr. Chase Babus (13-17), 106; Fr. Aric Wingle (9-11), 113; Jr. Dom Gallo (25-5, D1, R4), 120; So. Garrett Fenlon (0-14), 126; Jr. Mike Derin (26-6, D1, R1, S8), 132; Jr. Ryan Cullen (14-12), 138; Jr. Jason Gaccione (28-4, D2, R1, S4), 145; Sr. Chris Auer (18-11, D3), 152; Sr. Tommy Hooker (19-11, D3), 160; Sr. Brett Picher (2-9), 160; Sr. Colby Brands (14-16), 170; Sr. Antonio Porraspita (21-11, D2), 182; Sr. Kyle Stoll (28-5, D1, R1, S6), 195; Sr. Bobby McDonnell (18-14, D2, R2), 220; So. Kevin Lewis (4-1), 220; Sr. Gunny Wassong (13-5, D2), 285; Sr. Christian Campbell (9-11), 285.
Delsea Crusaders (24-5)
So. Nick Gaetano (7-25), 106; So. John Hassett (23-9, D4), 113; Jr. Tom Carney (22-6, D2, R4), 120-126; Jr. Kevin Huck (8-22), 120-126; Sr. John Pierson (26-6, D2), 132; Sr. Anthony Demarco (21-11), 138; Fr. Bradley Dobzanski (10-9), 145; So. Dom Demarco (28-4, D4), 152; Fr. Justin Moore (5-10), 160; Fr. Vincent DeGeorge (8-14), 170; Jr. Victor DeFrance (26-6, D3, R3), 182; Jr. Joe Fabrizio (24-8), 195; Sr. Bryan Dobzanski (32-0, D1, R1, S1), 220-285; Sr. Greg Halikman (24-6, D2), 220-285.
Hanover Park Hornets (18-3)
Jr. Jonathan Silva (5-8), 106; Fr. Marco Zecca (4-7), 106; So. Leonardo Stefanelli (3-6), 106; Fr. Lou Ramio (21-3), 113; Jr. Anthony Cefolo (27-3, D2, R4, S1-12), 120; Jr. Austin Nash (26-6, D2), 126; Jr. Christian Bassolino (29-3, D1, R3), 132-138; Sr. Joseph Zecca (13-7, D3), 132-138; Jr. Gene Angelo (18-7), 145; So. Anthony Olivieri (22-10, D2), 152; Sr. Anthony Bassolino (25-6, D1, R3), 160; Jr. Mason Sangillo (17-11), 170; So. Patrick Julich (1-5), 182-195; Fr. Rory DeLuca (2-6), 182; Jr. Eric Boccard (10-14), 195; Jr. Thomas Hunt (8-14), 220; Sr. Nicholas LaShell (21-0, D1, R3), 285.
Wall Township Crimson Knights (16-4)
Fr. Ryan Valente (2-6), 106; Jr. Denzel Tovar (19-2, D1, R3), 113; So. Joe Demuner (23-6), 120; Jr. Connor Albrecht (9-18), 126; Fr. Chad McClelland (19-9), 132; So. Josh Glantzman (18-4, D3), 138; Jr. Jack Wishart (18-9, D4), 145; Jr. Zack Tiano (10-12), 152; So. Brett Donner (27-1, D1, R3), 160; Fr. Joseph McKenzie (25-2), 170; Sr. Kenny Dioguardi (6-7), 182; Sr. Tommy Wishart (15-9), 182; Sr. Nick Van Glahn (3-5, D4), 195; Sr. Tyler Romanelli (24-3, D2), 195-220; Sr. Aldo Guisse (14-8), 285.
Breakdown: High Point is the reigning champion here, but the Wildcats have battled through injuries all season, including the loss of sophomore 126-pounder Jared Kobis (hand). Making matters worse, senior 160-pounder Tommy Hooker (ankle) did not compete in either the semifinal or final in the run to a 24th sectional championship. Coach John Gardner's squad is battle tested and still plenty talented enough to capture a second straight Group 2 title and the school's fourth overall. Delsea will be the semifinal opponent for the second straight year, as the Crusaders dropped a 37-28 decision a year ago. The South Jersey school, which features unbeaten state champion Bryan Dobzanski, is the only one in the field that can match up with High Point's upper weights. Porraspita earned a key 5-3 win over DeFrance last season. If things break right, the 'Cats can win nine bouts. Moving Gallo and Gaccione would be beneficial as well. With Kobis and Hooker this semifinal isn't close, but the 'Cats get some bonus to put some distance in this one. Hanover Park is expected to be in the final, but I think we can stop overlooking Wall, which opened eyes with a 33-26 win over Long Branch in Central Jersey sectional final. Hanover Park is a little suspect in the upper weights, sans excellent heavyweight Nick LaShell, and that's where High Point needs to do some damage. The 'Cats will also be favored at 106, with Derin, Auer and Gaccione all getting the nod. Hanover would like to get Zecca on Derin and Bassolino on Cullen to avoid a possible sweep the other way around. Critical bouts at 106 and 170 need to go the 'Cats' way. The Hornets picked off Kittatinny in the Group 1 semifinals a year ago, so High Point needs to be sharp to pull off the repeat. It should be a great championship match.
Prediction: High Point, 34-22, over Delsea in semis. (High Point over Hanover Park, 35-30, in final).
Group 1
Titles: Kittatinny 8 (Group 2) -- 1996, '01, '02, '03, '04, '05, '06. (Group 1) -- '08. Bound Brook 2 (2012, '13). Paulsboro 29 (1982, '83, '84, '85, '86, '87, '88, '89, '90, '91, '92, '93, '94, '95, '96, '97, '98, '99, '00, '01, '02, '03, '04, '05, '06, '07, '09, '10, '11). Roselle Park 1 (1982, shared with Paulsboro).
Kittatinny Cougars (18-2)
Fr. Kasey Hotz (18-12), 106-113; So. Taylor Molfetto (15-12), 106-113; So. Nick Klinger (27-4, D3) 120; So. Jake VanWingerden (4-5, D3) 126; Sr. Christian Silva (20-12, D2) 126; So. Austin Scrivani (25-6, D1) 132; Sr. Nick West (11-16), 138-145; Fr. Josh Klimek (9-10), 152-160; Sr. Nick Romyns (18-3, D1, R2) 152-160; Sr. Tyler Parkyn (6-15), 160; Sr. Kieran Gerrity (29-3, D1, R2) 170; Sr. Dylan Wunder (24-8, D2, R4) 182; Sr. Garrett Armstrong (27-5, D1) 195; Sr. Andrew Simpson (21-9), 220; Sr. Tom Smith (23-7, D3), 285.
Bound Brook Crusaders (17-6)
Sr. Gonzalo Limenza (24-8, D3, R4), 106-113; Fr. Anthony Lopez (14-18), 106-113; Fr. Stephan Glasgow (14-1), 120; Jr. Craig De La Cruz (27-2, D1, R1, S1), 126; Fr. Mekhi Lewis (26-6), 132; Jr. Nicholas Accetta (21-11, D1), 138; Jr. Sean Glasgow (3-1, D1, R1), 145; Jr. Andrew Gombas (17-8, D3), 152; Sr. Randy Myers (6-1), 160; Jr. Josh Ugalde (25-2, D1, R2, S6), 160; Sr. Isaiah Soto (14-5, D1, R2), 170-182; Sr. Ryan Doerr (23-7, D4) 170-182; Sr. Ronald Picado (24-7, D2-12), 195-220; Jr. Aaron Saavedra (18-9, D2, R2), 195-220; Sr. Stephen Johnson (14-1, D1, R1, S5), 285.
Paulsboro Raiders (20-1)
So. Nick Duca (22-10, D4) 106; Fr. Anthony Duca (28-4), 113; Jr. Mike Morina (24-8) 120; Jr. Sam Morina (29-3, D1, R2), 126; Sr. Juan Rivera (28-4, D1, R2), 132; Jr. Mickey Croce (26-4), 138; Jr. Ronnie Gentile (30-1, D1, R1, S2), 145; Sr. Tom Paulsen (24-8, D2), 152; Sr. Aaron Randall (6-9), 160; Jr. Jim Sutton (19-12), 170; Sr. Tyler Adams (9-18), 182; Fr. Josh Bailey (11-14), 195-220; Jr. Niko Savaiinaea (25-7, D1), 195-220; Jr. Davontae Randall (27-4, D2), 285.
Roselle Park Panthers (22-0)
So. Chris Gural (28-3), 106; Jr. George Perez (5-15), 113; Jr. Andy Santamaria (17-14, D2), 120; Jr. Joshua Gergich (11-19, D2), 126; Jr. Michael Figuerdo (25-6), 132; Sr. Joe Fulinello (20-6, D3), 138; Sr. Bobby Vail (20-9, D3), 145; Sr. Pete Hilburn (28-3, D1, R4), 152; Sr. Brian Matthews (29-2, D1, R4), 160; Sr. Steve Loevsky (29-2, D1), 170; So. Will Ferdinando (17-5), 182; Sr. Phil Woods (23-0, D1, R3), 195; Sr. Allen Nunez (22-8, D1), 220; Sr. Marc Signorello (21-11, D3), 285.
Breakdown: It's almost a foregone conclusion as Bound Brook is everyone's choice to win a third straight championship. Kittatinny gave the Crusaders a scare in the 2012 semifinals -- a 34-32 loss for the Cougars -- before last year's 49-9 thumping by Bound Brook in the final of the North Warren Patriots Duals. Coach John Gill has led Kittatinny to eight championships, with the lone title in Group 1 coming in 2008. It's been back-to-back losses in the Group 1 semifinals, as the Sussex County school dropped a 31-30 decision to Hanover Park in 2013. The four teams in this field have accounted for all 32 Group 1 titles ever won. Gill (504-151-5 in 34 seasons) and Paulsboro's Paul Morina (574 in 29 seasons) are two of New Jersey's all-time winningest coaches and have combined for 1,078 wins and 37 Group titles. It would be great to see those teams match up or even Roselle Park vs. Kittatinny. I'd say the Cougars' best shots at wins vs. the Crusaders are 106 or 113 (wherever Limenza is not), 120, 152, 170 and 195. Accetta d. Scrivani, 9-2, while Armstrong d. Picado, 5-3 in sudden victory in last year's dual meet.
Prediction: Bound Brook, 39-15, over Kittatinny in the semifinals. (Bound Brook over Paulsboro, 44-13, in the final).
Great stuff, Mike. Wish I could be there.
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