This week doesn't get any bigger for Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex wrestling with what should be two outstanding dual meets on tap heading into this weekend's tri-county tournament.
Phillipsburg will make the trip to Hunterdon Central for a key Skyland Conference Raritan Division showdown, while High Point heads over to Newton in a match that will likely determine the Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference Freedom Division champion.
Hunterdon Central (9-0) tuned up for this one with an impressive 27-point win over Kittatinny on Saturday in a battle of state-ranked teams. The Red Devils have the talent throughout the lineup to make things very difficult for P'burg (4-0), which rates about a four- or five-point favorite.
"I'm excited to have a good dual match where everyone on our team has to perform," said Stateliners coach Dave Post, whose team has won its first four by an average margin of 34 points, including a closer-than-anticipated 38-29 win over Newton on Dec. 23.
"We've seemed to wrestle to the level of our competition. I'm excited for Wednesday."
It may be hard to top last season's barnburner at the new Phillipsburg High School gym -- a 34-24 victory for the Stateliners in a match that came down to the final bout. Unlike that one, the rematch should feature far fewer bonus points as seven bouts a year ago, not including a forfeit, were worth four or more team points.
We will take a closer look at this one on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Newton (3-3) has a legitimate shot to end the program's 14-match skid against High Point, which owns a 37-7 edge in a series dating to 1970. The Braves, who haven't beaten the 'Cats since a 31-27 victory in 2003, dropped a 39-24 decision last season in Wantage, their closest margin of defeat since a 21-point loss in '09.
Newton has been battle tested early on this season, facing Phillipsburg before the New Year, in addition to Paulsboro and South Plainfield on Saturday in the 13th annual Henry Boresch Duals.
"It's a tough stretch [facing Paulsboro, South Plainfield and High Point in the span of five days]," said Braves coach Eric Bollette, who is 1-15 all-time vs. the 'Cats. "We need to stay off our backs and win [a few of the close ones]."
That matchup will come down to whether Newton can limit the damage down low where High Point is super tough -- Devon Liebl (10-3 at 106), Brandon LaRue (14-1 at 113), Devin Flannery (13-2 at 120), Maverick Liebl (13-2 at 126), Billy Talmadge (14-3 at 132) and Shane Kobis (15-0 at 138) -- because the Braves will have some advantages up top -- Wyatt McCarthy (10-1 at 152), Jonathon Borgognoni (10-1 at 160), Joseph DeLuca (10-3 at 182) and Luke Fischer (9-2 at 195). Also, 126 is a key bout between Maverick Liebl and junior Matthew Rosa (8-5).
Now, onto this week's rankings and notes:
1. Phillipsburg (4-0) -- Stateliners rolled to a pair of wins over Bound Brook (54-21 on Wednesday in a Skyland Conference Raritan Division matchup) before capping the short week with a 52-18 thumping of Cranford on Saturday. The latter was a bit of payback for a 36-32 loss to the Cougars last season -- the only New Jersey loss for coach Dave Post's team en route to winning a fourth straight Group 4 title. Keep an eye on senior Lance Wissing (16-2 at 170) this weekend, a strong contender for a tri-county title. He could face Kittatinny's Josh Hiler twice this week.
Up next: at Hunterdon Central on Wednesday; at Kittatinny on Thursday; Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament at home on Saturday.
2. Pope John (5-1) -- Lions made the long trek down the Shore -- a scheduled quad at Delsea was cancelled reportedly due to team discipline and skin issues for the hosts -- to register lopsided wins over three overmatched opponents on Saturday -- Central Regional (74-0), Pinelands (79-0) and Donovan Catholic (61-16). Coach Mark Piotrowsky's team will get the chance to showcase its star power this weekend in the tri-county tournament as senior Jake Rotunda (14-4 at 132) and junior Joe Aragona (15-1 at 138) will look to join an exclusive list of three-time champions.
Up next: at Jefferson on Thursday; Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament at Phillipsburg on Saturday.
3. Hunterdon Central (9-0) -- Red Devils steamrolled longtime rival Warren Hills (54-12) in a Skyland Conference Raritan Division matchup on Wednesday, while adding an impressive 46-19 win over Kittatinny on Saturday. The balanced lineup for coach Jon Cantagallo-Rohm's team was on full display in both victories. Freshman Brett Ungar (13-0 at 106) will be one to watch this weekend, while junior Dan Furmato (12-2 at 170) scored an 11-9 win in OT against Kittatinny senior Shane Smith, a returning HWS champ who bumped from 160.
Up next: Phillipsburg at home on Wednesday; Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament at Phillipsburg on Saturday.
4. High Point (9-1) -- Wildcats finished second in the Zephyr Duals at Whitehall (Pa.) on Saturday -- beating Catasauqua (72-12), Wyalusing (44-25), East Stroudsburg South (48-21) before a 43-17 loss to a strong Liberty squad in the final. Kobis picked up his 70th career win. Coach John Gardner's team will get its first stiff test in the area against Newton on Wednesday.
Up next: at Newton on Wednesday; at Vernon on Thursday; Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament at Phillipsburg on Saturday.
5. Kittatinny (4-3) -- Cougars made a tough road trip to the Shore area on Saturday, dropping decisions against Hunterdon Central (46-19) and Howell (53-14), last season's Group 5 finalists and two of the top public schools in New Jersey. Junior Zach Mafaro (10-2 at 182) got his 70th career win vs. Central. Coach John Gill's team is gearing up for another big week with its annual matchup vs. Phillipsburg on Thursday -- the Sussex County school's fourth opponent of the season as ranked by the New Jersey Writers Association.
Up next: Wallkill Valley at home on Wednesday; Phillipsburg at home on Thursday; Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament at Phillipsburg on Saturday.
6. Newton (3-3) -- Braves gave a good account in going 1-2 at their Boresch Duals on Saturday -- beating Caldwell, 54-13, in their opener before falling to state-ranked Paulsboro (53-9) in the semis and South Plainfield (39-27) in the third-place match. McCarthy picked up his 70th career win in the nightcap, while senior Borgognoni scored a nice 4-1 win over Paulsboro's Riley Onorato, a Region 7 qualifier in 2015 and '16. Lineup also got a boost with the return of senior Devin Mager (1-1 at 220), who bolsters a good group of upper weights.
Up next: High Point at home on Wednesday; at Hackettstown on Thursday; Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament at Phillipsburg on Saturday.
7. North Hunterdon (6-2) -- Lions opened last with a 42-22 win over Voorhees on Wednesday before getting the state buzzing with a 31-30 loss to Raritan, ranked No. 10 in the first New Jersey Writers Association poll, despite winning eight bouts. Coach Chris Hrunka's team added wins over West Essex (58-9) and host Wayne Valley (45-18) on Saturday. North matched up really well against the Rockets, getting key wins from freshman Frank Diesso (9-1 at 113), senior Andrew Gapas (13-0 at 138) and junior Michael Wilson (13-0 at 145). Hrunka will face his alma mater for the first time as head coach on Wednesday.
Up next: Warren Hills at home on Wednesday; Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament at Phillipsburg on Saturday.
8. Delaware Valley (3-3) -- Terriers rolled to a 41-24 win over Emmaus (Pa.) on Wednesday in their only match of the week. That night was more about celebrating the return of former wrestler Nick LaFevre, a four-time district champion for Del Val who is now the head coach at Emmaus. Coach Andy Fitz's team will take on Hunterdon County rival Voorhees on Friday in what should be an interesting clash --- Vikes match up well on paper -- on Gold Rush night in Alexandria Township.
Up next: Watchung Hills at home on Wednesday; Voorhees at home on Friday; Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament at Phillipsburg on Saturday.
9. Warren Hills (1-2) -- Blue Streaks took a 54-12 loss to Hunterdon Central on Wednesday in their lone action of the week. Senior Jarod Ostir (8-0 at 182) and junior Nick Galka (7-1 at 220) were among the winners for coach Jarrett Hosbach's team, which was originally slated to be in a dual tournament on Sunday in Lancaster, Pa. However, the NJSIAA -- in its infinite wisdom two days before the event -- informed the school on Friday there was a problem and it could not attend for reasons still unclear, though one was a question as to whether it was a National Federation event.
Up next: at North Hunterdon on Wednesday; Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament at Phillipsburg in Saturday.
10. Sparta (6-2) -- Spartans enjoyed a 3-0 week, starting with a win over Mount Olive (37-32 on Thursday), before sweeping a tri-meet on Saturday with DePaul (39-32) and Hackettstown (36-27). Senior Robbie Gennat (13-1 at 195) is sitting on 99 career wins, while sophomore Cooper Stewart (11-1) will also be one to watch this weekend in a loaded 106-pound class at HWS.
Up next: at Morris Hills on Thursday; Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament at Phillipsburg on Saturday.
On the bubble: Voorhees (8-5).
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