Here's a closer look at all of the sectional finals involving teams from the Open Mike area.
Winners advance to Sunday's Group championships at Toms River North.
Note: Individual records are through Monday's matches.
North 1, Group 3
2-Old Tappan (16-6) at 1-Sparta (18-8)
Wrestlers to watch: OT, Sr. John Pabst (17-5, D4), 132; Sr. Peter Andresen (26-1, D4), 138; Sr. Declan Ward (26-4, D1, R4), 152; Sr. Ryan Foy (25-6) 170. S, Fr. Cooper Stewart (12-2), 106; So. Chris Hwang (11-1, D4) 113; Fr. Garrett Stewart (22-6) 132; Sr. Sean McHugh (17-11, D3), 152; Jr. Robert Gennat (23-6, D2), 195; Sr. William Loewen (17-3, D1), 220; Sr. Zach Herbert (20-2, D2), 285.
Sectional titles: Old Tappan 0. Sparta 2 (1983, 2000).
Breakdown: Sparta returns to the sectional final for the second time in three years -- losing 29-24 to Paramus in 2015 -- and coach Frank Battaglia's team appears to be getting healthy at the right time. Loewen has been in the lineup just five times since the Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament on Jan. 14, though he did register a pin in the team's 49-15 win over River Dell in Wednesday's semis. Hwang, who missed most of the season with a leg injury, bolsters the lower weights. The Spartans will need him for what looks like a tight final match on paper. Sparta will have the edge down low and up top, but Old Tappan rates a favorite through most of the middle weights. The key will be limiting the damage, while Sparta's talented upper weights need to come through big.
Prediction: Sparta, 36-32.
North 1, Group 2
3-Jefferson (18-6) at 1-High Point (15-5)
Wrestlers to watch: J, So. Mason Godfrey (22-10, D3, R2), 113; Sr. Mark Bohn (22-3, D3), 132; So. Robert Ferucci (24-8, D4), 145; Jr. Rob Ortense (21-9, D3-2015), 152; Jr. Shane Connolly (27-5, D1), 160; So. Justin Randzio (25-6), 182. HP, So. Brandon LaRue (24-2), 106; So. Devin Flannery (19-2, D2), 113; Jr. Maverick Liebl (15-6, D3), 120; Fr. Billy Talmadge (16-8), 126; Jr. Shane Kobis (16-7, D3), 138; Sr. Aric Wingle (19-7, D3), 160.
Sectional titles: Jefferson 7 (1991, '92, '93, '94, '95, '96, 2000). High Point 24 (1984, '86, '87, '88, '89, '90, '91, '92, '94, '95, '96, '97, 2001, '02, '03, '05, '06, '07, '08, '10, '11, '12, '13, '14).
Breakdown: High Point -- seeking a Sussex County record 25th section title -- is coming off a 36-22 win over Westwood in the semifinals, and has lost to teams -- Lenape Valley in '15 and Emerson-Park Ridge in '16 -- that went on to wrestle for state titles the past two seasons. Jefferson ousted defending Group 2 champion Emerson in the semis, 36-34, to avenge a 43-30 loss on Jan. 7. The Falcons do present a problem in the middle weights, but the 'Cats will have the edge down low and in a few matchups up top. The big question for High Point, as in most matches, is can it get enough bonus points in the lower weights and not give up a ton elsewhere. Flannery had Godfrey's number last season, so look for Jefferson to bump up, though it may need a Bohn-Kobis matchup at 138 in order to have a shot at winning the match.
Prediction: High Point, 34-25.
North 1, Group 1
2-Butler (16-2) at 1-Kittatinny (17-4)
Wrestlers to watch: B, So. Ben Bariso (24-4, D3) 106; Jr. Randy Wyble (23-5, D3-2015), 113; Jr. Brandon Wyble (24-4, D2), 120; Jr. Marc Anthony Federici (18-4), 138; Sr. Wayde Kenney (15-7, D2), 152; Sr. Alfred Battipede (24-4, D2-2015) 195. K, Sr. Mark DiGeronimo (18-4, D1), 120; Jr. Calvin Brook (20-8), 145; Jr. Shane Smith (24-6), 160; Jr. Josh Hiler (23-6), 170; Sr. Josh Klimek (25-4, D2), 170; So. Zach Mafaro (24-5, D2), 195.
Sectional titles: Butler 0. Kittatinny 20 (1991, '93, '94, '95, '96, '98, 2000, '01, '02, '03, '04, '05, '06, '07, '08, '11, '12, '13, '14, '16).
Breakdown: Kittatinny is wrestling well of late and feels it can make some noise on Sunday -- in what could be a rematch of last year's Group 1 final against Paulsboro in the state semis. But first, coach John Gills team needs to secure the program's 21st sectional title. The Cougars have wrestled a much tougher schedule and rate as heavy favorites in this one, scoring a 53-13 win over Butler in last year's semifinals. From 106-152, the Bulldogs could win five of those eight bouts, but from 160 up they could be in big trouble. Cougars should win eight bouts and get plenty of bonus points to boot.
Prediction: Kittatinny, 42-21.
North 2, Group 4
2-Middletown North (23-3) at 1-Phillipsburg (13-1)
Wrestlers to watch: MN, Fr. Tyler Klinsky (26-4), 106; Fr. Freddy Luchs (26-4), 113; Sr. Sean Deering (14-7, D2), 126; Jr. Stanley Wojdylak (27-2, D1), 145; Jr. Nicholas Cofone (19-4, D3), 170; Sr. Tom Anderson (23-3, D2, R4), 182; Sr. Brian Winz (22-7), 195. P, Jr. Cullen Day (23-5), 106; So. Travis Jones (19-7), 113; So. Cody Harrison (13-4, D1, R3), 120; Jr. Brian Meyer (23-7, D1, R1), 145; Sr. Drew Horun (26-4, D1, R4), 195; Sr. Robert Melise (23-2, D1, R1, S2), 220.
Sectional titles: Middletown North 1 (1996). Phillipsburg 35 (1980, '81, '82, '83, '84, '85, '86, '87, '88, '89, '91, '92, '93, '94, '95, '96, '97, '98, '99, 2000, '01, '02, '03, '04, '05, '06, '07, '08, '09, '10, '11, '12, '14, '15, '16).
Breakdown: Stateliners -- who seek a 21st Group championship -- had little trouble in a 51-19 win over Woodbridge in the sectional semifinals. Middletown North, which dropped a 45-16 to P'burg in last year's final, opened eyes with a 53-17 thrashing of North Hunterdon on Wednesday. By comparison, P'burg scored a 45-16 win over the Lions on Jan. 25. The key bouts look to be at 106, 113 and 285, and the visitors may need all three, but can they get enough bonus points? The new P'burg gym isn't as intimidating as The Pit, but the crowd will be out in full force for what should be an entertaining final. Look for the 'Liners to win enough of the close ones and get the bonus points they'll need for a return trip to Toms River.
Prediction: P'burg, 37-24.
North 2, Group 3
2-Warren Hills (16-8) at 1-Cranford (19-0)
Wrestlers to watch: WH, Jr. Kyle Wulff (22-8, D2), 120; Sr. Matt Valli (26-4, D2), 132; Sr. Zach Nauta (22-6, D3), 138; Jr. Jarod Ostir (22-8, D1, R3), 170; So. Nick Galka (21-10, D3), 182; Sr. Brody Oberly (16-8, D4), 220; Sr. Taylan Zafis (22-9, D4), 285. C, Sr. Anthony Capece (18-2, D1, R2), 113-120; Sr. Chris Scorese (24-1, D1, R2), 132; Sr. Tom DiGiovanni (27-2, D1, R3), 138; Sr. Mike Nigro (17-12, D2, R3), 145; Sr. Brian McGovern (24-2, D1), 160; Sr. Vince Concina (25-1, D1, R2), 170); Sr. Alex Esposito (20-0, D1, R2), 285.
Sectional titles: Cranford 2 (1985, '86). Warren Hills 5 (1982, '90, '97, '98, 2007).
Breakdown: Warren Hills was itching for a rematch against heavily-favored Cranford and the Blue Streaks got it with a 45-16 dismantling of Passaic Valley in Wednesday's semifinals. Problem is, the Cougars blitzed the visitors -- 48-21 in a quad on Jan. 28. Hard to imagine reversing a 27-point loss without some serious upsets. Warren Hills, which is 5-6 all-time in sectional finals, does not match up well as the underdog at several weights where it usually counts on getting wins. Keep an eye on the 132-pound bout. Valli would like to settle the score with Scorese, who won their last meeting with a late takedown in the third period and the pin in sudden-victory OT. Look for coach Jarrett Hosbach to move the lineup a bit in hopes he can create a few more favorable matchups. It will be closer this time around.
Prediction: Cranford, 41-24.
Central Jersey, Group 5
2-Monroe Township (18-1) at 1-Hunterdon Central (22-2)
Wrestlers to watch: MT, Jr. Nicholas DePalma (22-3, D3), 113; Jr. Andrew Lombard (20-5), 126; Sr. Donald Albach (23-4, D2), 138; Sr. Nicholas Lombard (25-0, D1, R2), 145; Jr. Kaylon Bradley (22-2, D3), 195; Sr. Lou Ceras (23-2, D2), 285. HC, So. Jack Bauer (20-7, D1, R2), 113; Jr. Hunter Graf (28-1, D1, R1, S8), 120; Sr. Peter Nace (20-4, D1), 126; So. Vincent Romaniello (25-5, D2), 132; Sr. Bryce Hall (24-7), 138; Jr. Kevin Ciresa (20-4, D1, R3), 145; Sr. Michael Iodice (26-4, D1, R2), 182; Sr. Victor Lacombe (27-1, D1, R1, S5), 220.
Sectional titles: Monroe Township 0. Hunterdon Central 20 (1980, '81, '82, '83, '84, '87, '88, '89, '93, '94, '95, '97, '98, '99, 2000, '03, '10, '11, '13, '15).
Breakdown: Red Devils have really been rolling of late, winning 16 in a row since a 34-24 loss to Phillipsburg on Jan. 11. And what a rematch that could of been in Group 4, if we weren't stuck with Group 5. But we digress, as this one against Monroe has the potential to be close, at least on paper. The visitors will look to get N. Lombard on Ciresa, but the problem will be the matchups down low. Central is just a bit better in spots where Monroe counts on wins. The bouts at 106 and 113 could be crucial, especially if Central is unable to make enough strides in the upper weights.
Prediction: Hunterdon Central, 32-21.
Central Jersey, Group 2
2-Raritan (26-2) at 1-Delaware Valley (20-3)
Wrestlers to watch: R, Jr. Robert Taddeo (21-9), 106; So. Charles Barrale (21-1, D2), 113; Jr. AJ Erven (25-4), 126; Jr. Russell Benson (28-1, D1, R2), 132; Jr. Christian Sookdeo (23-4), 138; So. George Burdick (27-2), 170; Jr. Ethan Wolf (24-3), 220. DV, So. AJ DeRosa (25-6, D2, R2), 120; Fr. Gage Crater (21-10), 126; Sr. Connor Mills (22-9, D2, R2), 132; Sr. Matt Kolonia (30-1, D1, R3), 138; Sr. Rhys Zigich (26-4, D3), 145; Jr. Kyle Lightner (27-2, D1, R2), 195.
Sectional titles: Raritan 2 (2004, '12). Delaware Valley 16 (1983, '84, '85, '87, '88, '89, '90, '93, '94, '99, 2001, '02, '05, '06, '15, '16).
Breakdown: This is one of the best postseason rivalries in all of New Jersey, as the teams tee it up for the 14th time overall and the 11th meeting in the sectionals. Del Val, which holds an 8-5 edge in the series, broke its title drought by besting Raritan, 31-30, in the 2015 final, the program's first championship since 2006, and followed that up with a 30-29 win in last year's title match and first Terriers coach Andy Fitz, who is 10-7 in sectional matches, including 2-4 in the finals, may opt to bump his lineup starting at 132. Raritan appears to have the edge in the lower weights, while Del Val is favored in the middle. That leaves the upper weights to decide a champion. Both teams will have plenty of opportunities for bonus points, and as in a lot of matches, that will be the deciding factor. It's another tight one, as the last six meetings have been decided by four points or fewer.
Prediction: Delaware Valley, 32-29.
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