What: Kittatinny Cougars vs. Newton Braves.
Where: Henry Boresch Memorial Gym, Newton High School.
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Conference: Northwest Jersey Athletic intradivision.
Records: Kittatinny 10-6; Newton 10-5.
Coaches: John Gill (562-175-5, 38th season, 30-10 vs. Newton); Eric Bollette (218-179-1, 17th season, 4-15 vs. Kittatinny).
Series history: Kittatinny has won six straight, including a 57-6 win in the last meeting on Jan. 13, 2016, and it owns a 31-15 edge overall dating to 1976. The Braves haven't won in the series since a four-match streak during their sectional title runs in 2008-09 and 2009-10. The teams didn't wrestle last season (weather) for the first time in series history.
Probable lineups: Kittatinny wrestlers listed first with season records in parentheses.
106 -- Fr. Patrick Franco (12-14) vs. Fr. Nathan Fitt (12-10).
113 -- Jr. Nile Mattar (10-13) vs. Fr. Danny Cleary (10-10).
120 -- Jr. Mike Nelson (12-12) vs. Fr. JoJo Lotruglio (13-11).
126 -- Fr. Davin DeGroat (2-11) vs. Jr. Matthew Rosa (17-9).
132 -- Jr. Brian Hanna (11-12) vs. Jr. Michael Freda (13-11).
138 -- Sr. Mike Callahan (16-9) vs. Sr. Tim Houlihan (4-9).
145 -- Sr. Perry Maio (17-9) vs. So. Trevor Aughenbaugh (5-11).
152 -- Sr. Calvin Brook (20-6) vs. Jr. Wyatt McCarthy (22-2).
160 -- Sr. Shane Smith (14-5) or Sr. Billy Connors (1-1) vs. Sr. Jonathon Borgognoni (22-2).
170 -- Sr. Josh Hiler (19-6) vs. Jr. Nick Brigante (14-10).
182 -- Jr. Zach Mafaro (21-3) vs. Sr. Joseph DeLuca (18-7).
195 -- Fr. Jackson Crawn (13-11) vs. Jr. Luke Fischer (21-3) or Sr. Devin Mager (8-6).
220 -- So. Jacob Mafaro (22-3) or Jr. Mike Lacken (3-16) vs. Mager or Fischer.
285 -- Lacken or J. Mafaro vs. Jr. Jimmy Harding (7-4).
Breakdown: This has all of the makings for a classic matchup -- crosstown rivals, teacher against student, as Bollette wrestled for Kittatinny in the early 1990s and was a state placewinner under Gill. Both coaches, and good friends off the mat, would love to earn bragging rights. It's been a while for the Braves in this series, a 36-28 win in the 2010 North 1, Group 2 final in this gym, thanks in large part to an unexpected pin by Teddy Sibblies. "Any time we can come away with a win over Kittatinny it's a good day," Bollette said after his team's 34-31 regular-season win in '10. The bouts down low in this one will likely hold the key to Newton snapping its skid against a Kittatinny team that will be favored in most spots up top where the Braves usually have an edge on their opponents. Straight up, the Cougars will be favored at 106, 113, 138, 145, 170, 182 and 220, while the Braves get the nod at 126, 132, 152, 160, 195 and 285. Call 120 a tossup, leaning toward Newton. There are a lot of variables as to matchups and where some wrestlers are weighed in up top. Would Kittatinny bump Smith to 170 and so on to try ensure they win four of five through 285? The Cougars would likely sacrifice bonus points at 160 to do so, but it may be advantageous depending on where this starts and the score at the time. Here are some potential rematches from the HWS Tournament to watch -- Franco p. Fitt, 3:19; Mattar tf. Cleary, 19-3, 5:53; Hiler d. Brigante, 4-1; Z. Mafaro md. DeLuca, 10-0. For the Braves to win the match, they most likely need 106, 120, 132, which should get them to seven wins being favored at 126, 152, 160 and 195. They'll also need to limit bonus points in spots so a lot has to fall their way. If the Cougars do the job down low, they'll be in good shape. And if things shake out with the final power points, we very well could see these teams tangle again in two weeks in what's sure to be an entertaining North 1, Group 2 sectional title race.
Prediction: Kittatinny, 30-27.
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