Wrestling: Delaware Valley at Phillipsburg preview

What: Delaware Valley Terriers at Phillipsburg Stateliners.

Where: Phillipsburg High School, Lopatcong Twp.

When: Tuesday, 7 p.m.

Conference: Skyland cross-divisional.

Records: Delaware Valley 10-0; Phillipsburg 11-0.

State rankings (New Jersey Wrestling Writers): Delaware Valley No. 14; Phillipsburg No. 10.

Coaches: Andy Fitz (276-94, 17th season, 1-12 vs. P'burg); Tim Longacre (11-0, first season).

Series history: Phillipsburg is 38-7 overall dating to 1975, but Delaware Valley ended a 13-match skid in the series with last season's thrilling 33-27 win in Alexandria Township. The Stateliners' last victory was 45-3 at home on Feb. 6, 2020. The teams did not meet during the 1978-79, 2008-09, 2021 (COVID) and 2021-22 seasons. Del Val's last road win in the series was 42-9 at The Pit on Feb. 1, 2006. The Terriers' other victories came in 1975, '82, '84, '93 and '05.

Notes: Delaware Valley wrestlers listed first with season records in parentheses. Weight classes reflect two-pound growth allowance.

108 -- So. Tristan Fawthrop (10-7) vs. Fr. Anthony Pettinelli (16-9).

115 -- Jr. Luacs Beyers (9-9) vs. So. Massimo Gonzalez (13-6).

122 -- Sr. Jake Taylor (15-3) vs. Fr. Owen Garriques (11-12). 

128 -- Jr. Jaden Perez (19-1) vs. Sr. Dawson McWilliams (9-2).

134 -- Sr. Matt Roche (16-2) vs. So. Gavin Geleta (17-7).

140 -- Jr. Jackson Bush (17-1) vs. Jr. Anthony Ashford (4-15).

146 -- So. Michael Hasson (9-5) or So. Sebastian Dobak (4-2) vs. Jr. Luke Geleta (21-1).

152 -- Sr. Ben Levy (15-3) vs. Jr. Gavin Hawk (21-1) or Sr. Patrick Day (9-5).

159 -- Sr. Mitchell Sutter (16-5) vs. Jr. Benny Mendoza (1-2) or Day or Hawk.

167 -- Jr. Luke Sinkewicz (13-6) vs. Sr. Johnathon Roth (19-6).

177 -- Sr. Kevin Roman (15-4) or Sr. August Savacool (5-2) vs. Sr. Liam Packer (21-3) or Jr. Derek Stone (17-7).

192 -- Sr. Anderson Olcott (16-2) or Sr. Evan Newman (5-2) vs. Stone or Packer.

217 -- Jr. Branden Sozanski (4-5) or Jr. Brian Nicholson (3-2) vs. Sr. Nathan Smith (17-9).

287 -- Sr. Kyle Cooke (13-4) vs. Sr. John Wargo (18-1).

Breakdown: This is the first matchup of the season between state-ranked teams in the Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex area as well as the first against an NJWWA Top 20 opponent for Delaware Valley, which is seeking two straight wins over P'burg for the first time since 2005-06. In addition, this kicks off a tough stretch for the visitors, who will face No. 13 Hunterdon Central on Wednesday and Warren Hills on Saturday. ... Phillipsburg is coming off a huge 28-27 win on criteria (2-1 in pins) over archrival Easton (Pa.). No doubt the 'Liners remember the loss last season to the Terriers, in which the P'burg coaching staff was second-guessed by many for questionable lineup decisions late in that one. It also doesn't hurt having the home crowd on your side. On paper, P'burg, which won three of five head-to-meetings at the HWS Tournament on Jan. 13, rates as a solid favorite and that normally dictates the underdog making a few lineup moves. Del Val could opt to bump Levy away from Hawk to try for a split at 152 and 159, but the flip would be necessary.

P'burg is 230-42-2 all-time vs. Hunterdon-Warren schools

It's also hard to imagine Fitz bumping out someone between 159-177 or running everyone up through 215 in order to do so. Straight up, P'burg has the advantage at 108, 115, 146, 152, 167, 177, 217 and 287. That's eight bouts with Del Val getting the nod at 122, 128, 134, 140 and 192. Let's call 157 a tossup, though I'd lean Day in that one. Here are the HWS head-to-head results: Pettinelli p. Fawthrop in 3:53; Perez p. McWilliams in 3:13; Roche md. G. Geleta 14-3; Roth d. Sinkewicz, 4-2; Packer md. Roman, 10-1. ... Even if Del Val wins 159 and flips the script at 167, both tough tasks, P'burg is likely to pile up a good share of bonus points -- and probably save some from the HWS results -- in at least six bouts. It also would not be surprising to see the 'Liners win one they aren't supposed to. It's a tough matchup all-around for the Terriers, who will have to regroup quickly with Central looming nearly 24 hours after this one.

Prediction: Phillipsburg, 36-19.