Wrestling: Hunterdon Central at Phillipsburg preview

What: Hunterdon Central Red Devils at Phillipsburg Stateliners.

Where: Phillipsburg High School, Lopatcong Township.

When: Wednesday, 7 p.m.

Conference: Skyland Delaware Division.

Records: Hunterdon Central 9-0, 3-0 division; Phillipsburg 7-0, 3-0.

Coaches: Jon Cantagallo-Rohm (168-38, 10th season, 2-5 vs. P'burg); Tim Longacre (7-0, first season).

State rankings (New Jersey Writers): Hunterdon Central No. 12; Phillipsburg No. 10.

Series history: Phillipsburg owns a 41-9-1 overall edge dating to 1962 -- including seven postseason meetings -- and won the two previous matchups (35-19 on the road in 2020 and 34-30 here in '22). Teams did not meet in 2021 (COVID) and '23. Central snapped a five-match skid in the series with a 38-21 win on Jan. 10, 2018 at the Field House and won two straight in the series (29-27 here in 2019) for the first time since 1963-64. The 'Liners posted a 34-24 victory in the first matchup at the new gym on Jan. 11, 2017. Seven of the Red Devils' wins have come since 2003, including their last road victory in '19. P'burg is 19-4-1 at The Pit and the new gym (2-1). Four matches in this series were contested at neutral sites -- P'burg's 25-23 victory in 1981 at Princeton's Jadwin Gym and its 47-15 victory in the 2011 Group 4 semifinals at Toms River North, along with Central's pair of wins in the Group 4 semis (39-11 in 2010 and 30-29 in '13) at Toms River North. The lone tie was 25-25 at The Pit in 1984.

Probable lineups: Hunterdon Central wrestlers listed first with season records in parentheses.

106 -- Fr. Josh Buck (1-6) vs. Fr. Anthony Pettinelli (9-7).

113 -- Sr. Ryan Sherlock (6-6) vs. So. Massimo Gonzalez (8-4).

120 -- Sr. Anthony Rossi (15-0) vs. Fr. Owen Garriques (6-8).

126 -- So. Jace Brownlie (7-8) vs. Sr. Dawson McWilliams (3-0) or Jr. Sean Negron (1-7).

132 -- Sr. Ahmed Hussain (11-4) vs. So. Gavin Geleta (13-4).

138 -- Sr. Evan Thompson (13-2) vs. Jr. Anthony Ashford (4-9).

144 -- Sr. William Cella (13-3) vs. Jr. Luke Geleta (14-1).

150 -- So. Rhett Washleski (15-0) or Sr. Owen Hall (4-4) vs. Jr. Gavin Hawk (14-1).

157 -- So. Grant Thompson (9-3) or Sr. Eddie Klein (0-3) vs. Sr. Patrick Day (6-3).

165 -- Sr. Jacob Saus (9-7) vs. Sr. Johnathon Roth (12-4).

175 -- Sr. Jackson Call (10-2) or Jr. Nehemiah Bugash (6-3) vs. Sr. Liam Packer (14-3).

190 -- Sr. Thomas Brunetti (15-0) vs. Jr. Derek Stone (11-4).

215 -- Sr. Ryan Seemon (10-6) vs. Sr. Nathan Smith (12-6).

285 -- Jr. Tyler Suk (10-4) vs. Sr. John Wargo (11-1).

P'burg looks to go 3-1 vs. Central in the new gym.

Breakdown: Good to see this one back on the slate after last season's scheduled meeting was bagged in late January. This one is essentially for the Skyland Conference Delaware Division title as both teams beat Warren Hills (Central with a 48-22 victory at home on Dec. 15 and P'burg scoring a 43-20 road win this past Wednesday), while the 'Liners also knocked off North Hunterdon, 33-29 on Dec. 23. Bridgewater-Raritan is another common opponent as P'burg scored a 69-3 win over the Panthers on Dec. 20, while the Red Devils prevailed, 58-11, three days later. ... P'burg enters this one as the favorite, but the 'Liners have not been at full strength most of this season. McWilliams (knee injury) has not stepped on the mat since the win over Bridgewater-Raritan and his return is crucial for a P'burg team seeking its third straight trip to the Group 5 final next month. He's expected back for this one and it could mean a seven-to-eight-point swing. Central figures to have the edge in four of the six weights from 106-138, but the Red Devils could face an uphill battle from 150-285. Washleski, a stellar sophomore, would be an underdog against Hawk in a battle between state qualifiers at 150, while Brunetti rates as Central's only clear favorite up top at 190. P'burg will surely go straight up, while Central will surely try to bump Washleski in order to split 150 and 157. The 'Liners are solid favorites at seven weights (106, 126 with McWilliams, 144, 150, 165, 175 and 285) and I'd also give them the edge at 157 and 215. Give Central the nod at 120, 138 and 190. That leaves 113 and 132 as tossups. P'burg will go straight up, while it's hard to see Central making many moves as it would likely mean bumping up against an opponent of greater ability in cases. As is usually the case in these kinds of duals, bonus points will be the deciding factor and you have to think P'burg (+7 as we see it) will cash in on more of those opportunities. 

Prediction: Phillipsburg, 38-25.