Wrestling: Red Devils roll; Cougars, PJ win titles

Hunterdon Central's wrestling team is certainly getting the most out of its makeshift lineups.

Central with the sectional trophy. (Courtesy Jessica Cantagallo-Rohm)

Despite missing three starters once again, the Red Devils were sparked by a pin from senior Ryan Joyce in the opening bout at 285 and their talented light weights en route to a 39-24 victory over Manalapan in the Central Jersey, Group 5 final on Friday night at the Field House.

Hunterdon Central (22-1), ranked No. 4 in the New Jersey Writers Top 20, will next face Watchung Hills, while Southern takes on Passaic Tech in the Group 5 semifinals at 2 p.m. on Sunday in Toms River. The championship match is set for 7 p.m.

The Red Devils, who captured the program's 22nd title overall and third in this section since 2015, have been trying to plug various spots in their lineup because of injuries all season. Coach Jon Cantagallo-Rohm, whose team will battle for the program's second state title and first since winning Group 4 in 1989, took the opportunity to sit sophomore Norman Cella (knee) and senior Dan Furmato (shoulder) against Manalapan, which was seeking its fourth title and first since 1992.

Joyce's pin sparked a six-bout run to open the match as sophomore ace Brett Ungar (106), a state placewinner last season, and Colton Washleski (120) had pins, along with a key 5-2 decision from freshman Nick Canonica at 113. Talented freshman Tanner Peake (132) capped the run with an 8-4 decision over district runner-up Kareem Ghiada.

HUNTERDON CENTRAL 39, MANALAPAN 24

285 -- Ryan Joyce, HC, p. Matt Kovacs, 5:40.
106 -- Brett Ungar, HC, p. Chris Balzano, :33.
113 -- Nick Canonica, HC, d. Calvin Burke, 5-2.
120 -- Colton Washleski, HC, p. Zach Simmons, 1:49.
126 -- Jack Bauer, HC, d. Hunter Konstantoulas, 3-1.
132 -- Tanner Peake, HC, d. Kareem Ghiada, 8-4.
138 -- Alex Baran, M, d. Anthony Romaniello, 7-2.
145 -- Pasquale Vizzoni, HC, d. Andrew Keller, 8-5.
152 -- Vincent Romaniello, HC, d. Paul Santomarco, 5-3.
160 -- Matt Benedetti, M, forfeit.
170 -- Dylan Waller, M, tf. Ryan Donovan, 15-0.
182 -- Gavin Claro, M, forfeit.
195 -- Kyle Barrett, HC, p. John Montgomeie, 1:45.
220 -- George Zavalnik, M, p. Brandon Donoghue, 1:13.
Records -- Manalapan 22-5; Hunterdon Central 22-1.

GROUP 1

Senior Zach Mafaro helped lead the charge in Kittatinny's powerful upper weights with a pin at 182 pounds and senior Nile Mattar sealed it with a pin at 132 as the Cougars scored a 36-33 upset-win over defending sectional champion Emerson-Park Ridge in the North 1, Group 1 final.

Kittatinny (16-7), which captured the program's 22nd title overall and seventh in this section in the past nine seasons under legendary coach John Gill, will face Shore Regional, which won its first title, while Delaware Valley takes on title favorite Paulsboro in the Group 1 semifinals at 2 p.m. on Sunday in Toms River. The title match is set for 7 p.m.

Delaware Valley (13-6), which won the Group 2 title in 2017, advanced with a 42-17 victory over Whippany Park in the North 2, Group 1 final -- the Terriers' 18th sectional title overall and first in Group 1 after winning the first 17 in Central Jersey, Group 2.

The Cougar wrestlers beat Emerson Park Ridge 36-33 to win the North 1 Group 1 Sectional Title. Good job boys and good luck on Sunday in Toms River in The State Finals. pic.twitter.com/PHfq9FTU5u

— KittatinnyHSWrest (@KittatinnyHSWre) February 9, 2019

Mafaro (29-1) decked Ayden Giacomelli in 54 seconds as Kittatinny trailed, 15-9, through five bouts. Sophomore Jackson Crawn (195) and freshman Brycen Mafaro (285) registered falls to give the Cougars a 21-18 lead at the turn. Freshman Shane Nelson (106) added another pin and sophomore Connor Hanna added a crucial 7-4 win in a tossup bout at 113.

KITTATINNY 36, EMERSON-PARK RIDGE 33

145 -- Brian Hanna, K, d. Robert Anzilotti, 11-6.
152 -- Jonah Schechtman, EPR, p. Gian Knippenberg, :43.
160 -- Casey Allen, EPR, p. Chris Pollison, 1:53.
170 -- Brendan Hughes, EPR, d. Blake Dippel, 10-6.
182 -- Zach Mafaro, K, p. Ayden Giacomelli, :54.
195 -- Jackson Crawn, K, p. Zach Marck, 2:59.
220 -- Zach Lewis, EPR, d. Jacob Mafaro, 10-4.
285 -- Brycen Mafaro, K, p. Gerard Piserchia, 1:17.
106 -- Shane Nelson, K, p. Kenny Brouwer, 1:20.
113 -- Connor Hanna, K, d. Thomas Comeau, 7-4.
120 -- Nick Babin, EPR, p. Tyler Redden, :38.
126 -- Caiden Brouwer, EPR, d. Mike Nelson, 8-1.
132 -- Nile Mattar, K, p. Anthony Wagner, 3:33.
138 -- Luke Mazzeo, EPR, injury over Derek Molfetto.
Records -- Kittatinny 16-7; Emerson-Park Ridge 16-6.

DELAWARE VALLEY 42. WHIPPANY PARK 17

106 -- Dean Savercool, WP, p. Robert Groogan, 2:15.

113 -- Cooper Gill, DV, d. Todd Walsh, 9-4.

120 -- Alan Haynes, WP, d. Ben Brown, 2-1.

126 -- Chase Christie, DV, d. Zach Szesko, 9-7.

132 -- Tommy Schlittler, DV, p. Franco Bellomo, 3:31.

138 -- A.J. DeRosa, DV, md. Jason Hill, 12-0.

145 -- Gage Crater, DV, tf. Machael Paskert, 23-8, 5:41.

152 -- Sean Savercool, WP, p. Tommy Horn, 2:20.

160 -- Thomas Stigliano, WP, d. Anthony DeRosa, 3-2.

170 -- Shawne Ramsby, DV, d. Nicholas Graessle, 3-1.

182 -- Kyle Carney, DV, d. Corey Ficchi, 3-1.

195 -- Anthony DiPaolo, DV, d. Steven Nasseri, 7-5.

220 -- Nick Moose, DV, p. Jonathan Geroldi, 1:27.

285 -- Ryan Sutter, DV, p. Matthew Dill, 4:48.

Records -- Delaware Valley 13-6; Whippany Park 15-8.

NON-PUBLIC NORTH B

POPE JOHN 36, DEPAUL 30

Junior ace Eddie Ventresca delivered a 57-second pin in the final bout at 120 pounds to give Pope John a 36-30 win over DePaul in a rematch of last season's Non-Public North B sectional final on Friday night in Sparta.

Pope John (14-2) captured the program's ninth sectional title overall in going back-to-back for the first time since a three-peat in 1981-83. Coach Mark Piotrowsky's Lions will look to repeat as state champions when they take on Camden Catholic in the Non-Public B final at 9 a.m. on Sunday in Toms River.

Congrats to the Lions on capturing their 2nd consecutive Non- Public, North B championship by topping DePaul, 36-30, in the Non-Public, North B final at Pope John
The Lions will take on Camden Catholic in the Non-Public B final at 9 a.m. Sunday #wearepopejohn #pjwrestling pic.twitter.com/5LY2lsRxYC

— Pope John Wrestling (@PJ_Wrestling) February 9, 2019

Junior Kaya Sement (132) and senior JoJo Aragona (138) got Pope John going early with wins, while senior Robbie Garcia added a key 7-2 decision at 152 to give the Lions a 13-12 lead through five bouts.

Freshman Shane Percelay helped set the table for Ventresca to clinch with a 9-2 win at 106.

126 -- Nicky Cabanillas, D, p. Colin Neal, 3:08.
132 -- Kaya Sement, PJ, md. Michael Esposito, 13-4.
138 -- JoJo Aragona, PJ, p. Joe Calautti, :45.
145 -- Ricky Cabanillas, D, p. Matthew Garcia, 1:08.
152 -- Robbie Garcia, PJ, d. Luke McFadden, 7-2.
160 -- Connor O'Neil, D, p. Connor Fritsch, 4:15.
170 -- Bryan Vargas, PJ, tf. Anthony Postiglione, 16-1, 4:59.
182 -- Stephen Barone, D, d. Peter Deleportas, 8-5.
195 -- Chris Jhong, PJ, d. David Drouet, 3-0.
220 -- Cole Zydel, PJ, p. Linus Rodriguez, 1:39.
285 -- Eddie Bierals, D, d. Nicholas DeSenzo, 5-1.
106 -- Shane Percelay, PJ, d. Eric Checinski, 9-2.
113 -- Nick Bottazzi, D, p. Zachary Hentschel, 5:50.
120 -- Eddie Ventresca, PJ, p. Derek Russell, :57.
Records -- DePaul 11-5; Pope John 14-2.