North 2, Group 4
2-Phillipsburg (14-2) at 1-Middletown North (14-6)
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| P'burg looks to make its fifth straight trip to Toms River. |
Sectional titles: Phillipsburg 36 (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, '17). Middletown North 1 (1996).
Breakdown: Phillipsburg -- seeking its 22nd state championship -- hits the road for the first time in the postseason since 2013, having knocked off Middletown North in the two previous sectional title matches -- 45-16 in 2016 and 36-27 in '17. The 'Liners, who are 36-2 all-time in the finals, also won the only other meeting in the brief series -- 57-9 in the '15 semifinals. Two key bouts are rematches from last season -- 113 (Day vs. Klinsky) and 132 (Tino vs. Pujols) -- won by the Stateliners. In fact, Tino is 2-0 against Pujols with a pin in 2016 and a 13-11 decision in '17. Middletown North, if it gets the flip, will try to bump Luchs away from Jones, giving the Lions an edge at 126 and 145 and from 182-285, though P'burg would like to get junior Austin Roth (16-8 at 182) away from Cofone and on senior Kevin McCarthney (10-11 at 195). P'burg will have the best shot to rack up bonus points and that's the difference. As a side note, Meyer (118-34) moved into sole possession of fifth place on the Warren County school's all-time wins list in Thursday's 35-16 semifinal win over North Hunterdon.
Prediction: P'burg, 34-23 (31-26 if it loses the flip).
North 2, Group 3
2-Voorhees (21-8) at 1-Cranford (14-6)
Wrestlers to watch: V, Sr. Colby Koshinski (21-11, D1, R6) 113; Jr. Aidan Taylor (23-9, D1, R4) 120; Jr. Hunter Rinehart (21-8, D2) 126; Sr. Scott Fernandes (29-3, D2, R4) 195; Jr. Lewis Fernandes (30-0, D2, R2) 220-285; Jr. Sam Huff (26-6, D1) 220-285. C, Fr. Jimmy Gluck (20-8) 106; Fr. Luke DiGiovanni (19-7) 126; Jr. Dean Smith (16-8, D4) 132; Jr. Conor Halpin (14-13, D2, R6) 138; Jr. AJ Bencivenga (23-6, D4) 145; Sr. Dylan Budnik (24-8, D2) 195; Jr. Rob Schork (21-6) 220.
Sectional titles: Voorhees 16 (1980, '81, '82, '83, '85, '86, '87, '88, '89, '91, '95, '96, '98, 2004, '13, '15). Cranford 3 (1985, '86, 2017).
Breakdown: Voorhees has done well to get to this point, but the matchups favor Cranford, which is seeking its second straight sectional championship, especially through the middle, though Halpin, Smith and DiGiovanni have not wrestled this month. The Cougars, who rolled to a 50-16 win over Warren Hills on Jan. 27, could potentially run the table, if they're at full strength, from 132 through 182, with plenty of opportunity to earn bonus points. The Vikes have the edge down low and up top, with the key bouts at 113, 120, 126, 195 and 285. Even if Voorhees wins the majority of the close ones, the results will likely be regular decisions.
Prediction: Cranford, 35-21.
North 1, Group 2
3-Jefferson (19-4) at 1-High Point (21-1)
Sectional titles: Jefferson 7 (1991, '92, '93, '94, '95, '96, 2000). High Point 25 (1984, '86, '87, '88, '89, '90, '91, '92, '94, '95, '96, '97, 2001, '02, '03, '05, '06, '07, '08, '10, '11, '12, '13, '14, '17).
Breakdown: This isn't the matchup most thought they'd see as Jefferson upset Newton, 30-28, in Thursday's semifinals as Ferucci got a reversal at the buzzer to win in the final bout -- setting up a rematch of last year's title match won by High Point, 43-19. The Wildcats are tough down low and could sweep from 106 through 138. Figure they win five of those six, they'd likely only need two from 145 through 285, provided they get bonus as expected down low. The Falcons need to win either 113 or 120 (wherever LaRue doesn't go) and get 145, 152, 182 (with Connolly) and take two from 195, 220 or 285. If Sabo avoids Connolly, who will likely go 182 if Jefferson bumps the lineup as it did against Newton, the 'Cats have the potential win two if not three from 182-285. No matter how you slice it, the Sussex County school has too much firepower and moves on to Toms River.
Prediction: High Point, 38-17.
North 1, Group 3
2-Pascack Valley (21-4) at 1-Sparta (16-6)
Wrestlers to watch: PV, Fr. Tyler Pizzi (25-6) 120; Sr. Robbie Natelli (22-10, D2) 126; Sr. Nolan Shields (21-10, D4) 132; Jr. Matt Beyer (17-4, D1, R3) 138; Fr. Luke Petaccia (21-5) 145; Jr. Tommy Chiellini (29-3) 160; Sr. Jake Prusha (24-8) 170; Sr. William Morris (18-4, D4) 170-182; Sr. Casey Lewis (30-2, D1, R5) 182-195. S, So. Cooper Stewart (26-3) 106; Fr. Spencer Stewart (28-3) 113; Jr. Chris Hwang (20-8, D1, R6) 126; So. Garrett Stewart (26-5, D1, R5) 132; Jr. Carter Sheridan (27-5, D4) 138; Sr. Robert Gennat (30-2, D2, R2) 195.
Sectional titles: Pascack Valley 0. Sparta 3 (1983, 2000, '17).
Breakdown: Sparta is seeking back-to-back titles for first time in program history, but this won't be an easy task against a hungry team eyeing its first championship. Key bouts are 126 and 145, where you can figure that Sheridan will bump away from Beyer. The Spartans need to get 126 and 145 as they will be underdogs in every other bout from 138 to 182, while Pascack Valley likely gets 12 points at the end because Sparta doesn't have a 285 and Lewis likely goes 220. Bonus points are another issue as the visitors could rack them up in seven bouts. Spartans will surely have their opportunities as well, but even if they can win eight bouts, it may not be enough.
Prediction: Pascack Valley, 47-27.
Central Jersey, Group 5
2-Howell (29-0) at 1-Hunterdon Central (22-1)
Wrestlers to watch: H, Sr. Jesse Liptzin (17-3, D3) 106; So. Ethan Liptzin (25-2) 106-113; Sr. Jerry Lleshi (19-4) 120; Jr. Darby Diedrich (31-0, D1, R1, S7) 120-126; So. Luke Rada (24-4, D1, R4) 126; Sr. Kyle Slendorn (30-0, D1, R1, S2) 132; Sr. Dan Esposito (27-3, D1, R2) 138; Fr. Paul Jakub (26-2) 145; Jr. Xavier Kelly (21-4, D3, R3) 152; So. Shane Reitsma (28-2, D1, R1) 170; Jr. Christian Murphy (28-2, D1, R3) 182. HC, Fr. Brett Ungar (30-1) 106; Fr. Colton Washleski (22-9) 113; Jr. Jack Bauer (19-5, D1, R2) 120; So. Anthony Romaniello (19-9, D3) 126; Sr. Hunter Graf (30-2, D1, R2, S8-2016) 132; Jr. Vincent Romaniello (27-4, D1) 145; Sr. Kevin Ciresa (23-7, D2, R5) 152-160; Jr. Dan Furmato (23-8, D3) 170; So. Lukas Bakerian (22-8) 195; Sr. Angelo Crespo (20-4, D4) 220.
Sectional titles: Howell 3 (2014, '16, '17). Hunterdon Central 21 (1980, '81, '82, '83, '84, '87, '88, '89, '93, '94, '95, '97, '98, '99, 2000, '03, '10, '11, '13, '15, '17).
Breakdown: We've said it before, but it bears repeating, it's lousy and bad for the sport that these teams are meeting in the sectional final rather than have a chance for a rematch in the Group 5 final. Last year's title match -- a 28-27 victory for Howell -- was epic and will be talked about for years to come. Central came very close to winning its second state title, and should be plenty motivated by that stinging defeat, but Howell has a decided edge this season. The Rebels, ranked as the top public school by the New Jersey Writers Association, are loaded up-and-down the lineup. And while the Red Devils are a strong team, the matchups don't favor the host. Key bouts are 113, 145, 152 or 160 (wherever Ciresa goes) and 195. Central needs all of them just to make it interesting because it will not have many chances for bonus points. In fact, I have them with a major and four decisions. It's worth noting that Howell has wrestled just one team in the NJWWA Top 20 (a 41-14 win over South Plainfield), while Central has faced four (beating Phillipsburg, Kingsway and Watchung Hills, while losing to Emerson-Park Ridge). They each have wins, by very similar scores over seven common opponents (HC results listed first) -- Middletown North -- 37-28, 43-28; Delran -- 62-18, 60-9; Bishop Ahr -- 59-0, 74-3; Freehold Township -- 56-7, 59-12; Kittatinny -- 46-19, 53-14; Northern Burlington -- 60-9, 55-9; Hillsborough -- 57-13, 69-7.
Prediction: Howell, 34-16.
Non-Public North B
2-DePaul (10-4) at 1-Pope John (15-2)
Wrestlers to watch: D, Jr. Michael Esposito (18-11, D1, R4) 120; Jr. Nicky Cabanillas (26-5, D1, R5) 126; Jr. Luke McFadden (25-6, D3, R5) 138; Jr. Ricky Cabanillas (29-1, D3, R2, S2) 145; So. Connor O'Neil (25-4, D1, R1) 152; Sr. Michael Pillot (24-7) 182. PJ, Fr. Shane Percelay (21-6) 106; So. Eddie Ventresca (27-2, D1, R1, S6) 113; So. Kaya Sement (26-5) 120; So. Mathew Garcia (21-7) 126; Sr. Jake Rotunda (27-4, D1, R2) 132; Jr. Joe Aragona (29-1, D3, R1, S2) 138; Jr. Robert Garcia (28-3, D2, R1, S4) 145; Sr. Reece Muldoon (21-1, D1, R1) 182; Sr. Jake Brown (15-2, D1, R2) 195.
Sectional titles: DePaul 9 (1993, 2010, '11, '12, '13, '14, '15, '16, '17). Pope John 7 (1981, '82, '83, '86, '88, '92, '94).
Breakdown: DePaul has owned this section for nearly a decade, winning eight in a row, but the Passaic County school isn't as loaded with talent like in seasons past and only has 15 wrestlers on its roster. Pope John, which is ranked No. 4 in the New Jersey Writers Association Top 20, is the team chock full of talent up and down the roster. Coach Mark Piotrowsky's team seeks the program's first sectional title in 24 years -- all seven coming in Non-Public North B. We should get a good matchup at 145 between state placewinners Ricky Cabanillas and Robert Garcia. They have a common opponent in Hackettstown senior Alex Carida, who lost 1-0 to Cabanillas and beat Garcia, 6-4.
Prediction: Pope John, 43-14.
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