Wrestling: North Hunterdon at Hunt. Central preview

What: North Hunterdon Lions at Hunterdon Central Red Devils.

Where: Hunterdon Central Field House, Raritan Twp.

When: Friday, 6:30 p.m.

Conference: Skyland Raritan Division.

Records: North Hunterdon 1-0, 0-0 division; Hunterdon Central 1-0, 1-0.

Rankings (Open Mike): North Hunterdon No. 5; Hunterdon Central No. 3.

Coaches: Chris Hrunka (1-0, first season); Jon Cantagallo-Rohm (61-14, fourth season).

Series history: Hunterdon Central has won three straight meetings -- including a 37-31 barnburner in the last matchup on Jan. 27, 2017, while the other two were 10-point victories. North Hunterdon's last win was 28-27 on Jan. 7, 2014, at the Field House.

Probable lineups: North Hunterdon wrestlers listed first with season records in parentheses.

106 -- Jr. Connor Robinson (3-1) vs. Fr. Brett Ungar (4-0).

113 -- Fr. Frank Diesso (2-1) or Fr. Connor Quinn (1-0) vs. Fr. Colton Washleski (3-0).

120 -- So. Drew Doscher (1-3) vs. Jr. Jack Bauer (2-0).

126 -- So. Evan Klimas (1-0) vs. So. Anthony Romaniello (3-0).

132 -- So. Kyle Anderson (2-2) vs. Sr. Hunter Graf (2-0).

138 -- Sr. Andrew Gapas (4-0) vs. Sr. Tyler McManus (1-2).

145 -- Jr. Michael Wilson (4-0) vs. Jr. Nick Brunetti (0-2).

152 -- Sr. Tucker Kirchberger (4-0) vs. Jr. Vincent Romaniello (3-1).

160 -- Fr. James Holder (0-1) vs. Sr. Kevin Ciresa (2-1).

170 -- So. Nathaniel Fossett (3-2) vs. Jr. Dan Furmato (3-1).

182 -- Sr. John Spies (2-2) vs. Jr. Kyle Barrett (2-2).

195 -- Jr. Richard Kimmick (0-1) vs. Sr. Reese Young (2-1).

220 -- Jr. Lorenzo Becerril (1-0) vs. So. Lukas Bakerian (4-0).

285 -- Jr. Francis Vitelli (0-1) vs. Jr. Ryan Joyce (1-3).

Breakdown: Rare early season matchup between these longtime rivals and it should be the match of the year in the county. This December meeting benefits Hunterdon Central considering North, which opened its dual season with a 36-23 win over Allentown on Tuesday, will be without four starters, including some key upper weights. Seniors Noah Quental (182-195) and Yousef Abbas (195-220) opted not to wrestle this season after helping the school capture a sectional title in football, while Brinton Gibbons (285) and William Hughes (152-160) are on the shelf with injuries. Central, which easily won the Caldwell Tournament team title this past Saturday, is pretty balanced, and will get senior Angelo Crespo (220) back this weekend coming off football. Straight up, the hosts will be favored at 106, 113, 120, 132, 160, 195, 220 and 285. North has the edge at 126, 138 and 145. That leaves 152, 170 and 182 as tossups. Vincent Romaniello scored a 12-4 victory over Kirchberger two seasons ago in the dual for what it's worth. Figure a split of the tossups, but bonus points favor the Red Devils (especially up top) in what should be a raucous home environment.

Prediction: Hunterdon Central, 40-21.