But a thrilling 29-27 win over Phillipsburg on Thursday night showed that Hunterdon Central (18-0), ranked No. 4 in the New Jersey Writers Association Top 20, still has some major firepower as it gears up for a postseason run, starting with the Central Jersey, Group 5 sectional tournament next Monday.
"They are solid, more balanced than last year," P'burg coach Dave Post said following his team's first loss in 26 matches at the school's new gym, which opened in 2016-17.
Sophomore Colton Washleski was among the heroes for Central, as his pin at 120 pounds put the Red Devils in position to win with one bout to go. Sophomore Brett Ungar had set the stage with a technical fall two bouts earlier at 106, while senior Dan Furmato (170), who has been battling a right shoulder injury all season, logged a critical major decision with a takedown (Central won the takedown battle, 22-8) and three back points in the final 18 seconds of his bout.
"We talked about getting bonus points [eight overall] in certain areas, and I think we did that," said Washleski, who sunk in an arm bar with a tilt for the surprising pin after trailing P'burg freshman Joey Innamorato, 2-1, through one period.
Making the win even more impressive was the absence of sophomore Norman Cella (160), who sustained a right knee injury the previous night against Hanover Park. Cella (19-3) was sporting a brace and he participated in warmups, but decided he couldn't go shortly before taking the mat. He didn't compete in Saturday's quad at home.
"I told they guys how proud I am to coach this group, and to be at Hunterdon Central," said Red Devils coach Jon Cantagallo-Rohm, whose team will face a monumental challenge against No. 2 Paulsboro on Thursday. "We didn't know [Cella was definitely out] until [warmups]. He was trying everything he could to go."
Now the big question is can Hunterdon Central, which has won one state title in its history (Group 4 in 1989), achieve its ultimate goal of winning Group 5? No. 3 Howell, which has won the previous two titles, beating Central in the 2017 championship match and in last year's section final, is a heavy favorite. But Cantagallo-Rohm still feels his team has a chance against the Rebels, who will have to get past a solid Southern team, which won nine bouts against Phillipsburg on Saturday, in the South Jersey, Group 5 sectional final.
Sectional pairings and seeds will be me made official on Tuesday.
"We have a scrappy group of kids who are hard workers," said Cantagallo-Rohm, who picked up his 100th career win on Saturday.
Record pace
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| Lewis Fernandes is riding a 71-match win streak. |
Fernandes (28-0), a returning state champion at heavyweight, enters the week 134-22 overall, and he needs two wins to pass former three-time placewinner Jadaen Bernstein (135-19 from 2009-13) atop the Vikes' list.
Melofchik (18-1), who finished seventh in the state at 106 last season, is 126-17 overall and is six victories shy of surpassing Dylan Thorsen (131-15 from 2008-12) atop the County Seaters' list.
Now, onto this week's rankings:
1. Hunterdon Central (18-0) -- Red Devils knocked off state-ranked Hanover Park (41-22 on Wednesday) and Phillipsburg (29-27 on Thursday) before sweeping a quad at home on Saturday against Kingsway (46-21), Rancocas Valley (51-18) and Bound Brook (45-25). The latter victory clinched the Skyland Conference Delaware Division title. Senior Vincent Romaniello (22-4 at 152) moved into the top 10 on the school's all-time wins list at 109-31.
Up next: Voorhees at home on Wednesday; at Paulsboro on Thursday.
2. Phillipsburg (11-2) -- Stateliners clinched the Skyland Conference Raritan Division title with a 51-18 win at Ridge before dropping their first two duals of the season -- 29-27 to Hunterdon Central on Thursday and 32-16 to Southern, which owns a 7-5 edge in the series, in an independent clash on Saturday. Senior Cody Harrison (21-2), a Rutgers recruit, took his first loss in New Jersey this season -- 11-3 to Southern state medalist Nick O'Connell at 152.
Up next: Easton (Pa.) at home on Wednesday; at Delaware Valley on Friday; at Ocean Township on Saturday.
3. Pope John (11-2) -- Lions opened last week with a 37-20 win over Montville on Tuesday in an NJAC American Division clash and closed it out with back-to-back wins over state-ranked St. Peter's Prep (37-28 on Wednesday) and High Point (30-27 on Thursday). Junior Eddie Ventresca (25-1 at 120), a Virginia Tech recruit, hit the century mark at 102-12 overall.
Up next: at Seton Hall Prep on Monday; at North Warren on Wednesday.
4. High Point (11-2) -- 'Cats secured the NJAC Freedom Division title with a 39-27 win over Newton on Tuesday, while coach John Gardner's team bounced back from a tough 30-27 loss to Pope John on Thursday by sweeping a quad on Saturday with victories over Cranford (43-24) and Lenape Valley (64-7) and Cedar Grove (59-15). Seniors Devin Flannery and Brandon LaRue hit 90 career wins.
Up next: West Morris at home on Friday.
5. North Hunterdon (15-2) -- Lions kept rolling with wins over Montgomery (75-6 on Wednesday) and Warren Hills (40-18 on Friday) before sweeping a quad on Saturday, including a hard-fought 39-27 over Newton. Coach Chris Hrunka's team also cruised past Westfield (46-18) and North Warren (72-0). Senior Michael Wilson (24-2 at 160) earned his 70th career win on Saturday.
Up next: Brearley-Dayton at home on Tuesday; Hillsborough at home on Wednesday; Bernards and Bridgewater-Raritan at home on Saturday.
6. Newton (11-6) -- Braves bounced back from a 39-27 loss at High Point on Tuesday with a 49-9 thumping of Lenape Valley on Wednesday. Seniors Matthew Rosa (132) and Michael Freda (138) posted quality victories in a 39-27 loss to North Hunterdon, while Luke Fischer (26-0 at 220) aided wins over Westfield (35-31) and North Warren (58-12).
Up next: New Brunswick at home on Wednesday; Roxbury at home on Friday.
7. Warren Hills (13-3) -- Blue Streaks suffered back-to-back losses for the first time this season -- 35-31 at Mount Olive in an independent match on Tuesday and 40-18 to North Hunterdon on Friday in a Skyland Conference cross-divisional clash. Senior Nick Galka (22-3 at 220) is six wins shy of 100 for his career. Streaks aiming to snap a two-match skid in the series with Del Val.
Up next: at Delaware Valley on Wednesday; Hackettstown at home on Friday.
8. Kittatinny (12-7) -- Cougars scored a 36-31 win over Jefferson on Tuesday in an NJAC Freedom Division clash and capped the week with a 34-33 victory over Sparta on Friday. Sophomore Jackson Crawn (24-4) had a key win at 195 against the Falcons, while coach John Gill's team avoided bonus points in the final bout against the Spartans.
Up next: Hanover Park at home on Tuesday.
9. Voorhees (18-4) -- Vikings capped a 5-0 week by sweeping a quad with wins over Fort Lee (56-18), Livingston (37-21) and host Belvidere (56-10) on Saturday. Fernandes sat due to match limits after he posted an impressive 15-0 technical fall win over Jervey Sistrunk, who placed third in the state last season, on Friday.
Up next: at Hunterdon Central on Wednesday; Manville at home on Friday.
10. Delaware Valley (9-5) -- Terriers also went 5-0 last week, sweeping a quad on Saturday with lopsided wins over Bridgewater-Raritan (61-15), Montgomery (66-9) and West Orange (46-15). Coach Andy Fitz's team, which figures to contend for the North 2, Group 1 sectional title, looks to make it three straight vs. Warren Hills, which has lost 16 of the previous 18 meetings since 1999.Big week for DV Wrestling. At home vs Warren Hills on Wednesday and home again on Friday vs PBurg. Both matches start at 7PM. pic.twitter.com/vmfLPVhvPU— Del Val Wrestling (@DVRWrestling) January 29, 2019
Up next: Warren Hills at home on Wednesday; Phillipsburg at home on Friday.
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