'Liners take on another wannabe

Saturday, January 15, 2005

By BRIAN FORTNER

The Express-Times

Another wrestling season in full swing, another state champion hopeful trying to earn it's stripes among the Garden State's elite by taking a crack at the Phillipsburg Stateliners.

It's a scenario that has become all too familiar to P'burg head coach Rick Thompson.

"That's how it works," Thompson said. "Programs progress and go after the best competition. It's a big honor beat P'burg. We've been around for a long time. I guess I should be flattered."

Tonight, Southern Regional High School tries to prove itself worthy of a high state ranking when it hosts the Stateliners at 7 in Manahawken, in an independent showdown between two of the New Jersey's best.

The only previous meeting between the teams was in the 1997 Group 4 title match, which P'burg won 53-9.

The Rams (3-1) are ranked fourth in the state by The Star-Ledger while Phillipsburg is No. 15.

"P'burg has a great tradition and usually brings a great following wherever they go," Southern coach John Stout said. "So from the perspective of hosting a good match, it should be exciting.

"As far as how we match up, I feel we match up well. Some of (P'burg's) stronger wrestlers are through the middle of their lineup and that's where our strengths lie, as well."

Until recently, Southern would be the favorite, to send the Stateliners home with a defeat.

That was until this week, when Thompson's team cruised to back-to-back wins over Voorhees (46-14) and Warren Hills (50-21) on consecutive nights.

The Rams were dealt their first loss of the season, 33-20, by Absegami, ranked No. 2 in the state and riding an unbeaten streak of 99-0-1. Phillipsburg lost 36-28 to Absegami in The Pit on Dec. 27.

"We pride ourselves on the competition we wrestle," said Jon Gregory, the Stateliners' junior 103- and 112-pounder. "It makes us stronger to know that every match we wrestle is going to be tough. We thrive on the pressure."

In a match loaded with key head-to-head battles, the highlight of the night could be a potential rematch between P'burg's Brandon Stillo and Southern's Rob Hickman at 130 pounds.

The two seniors locked up in the 125-pound pre-quarterfinals of the NJSIAA tournament in Atlantic City last March with Hickman prevailing 4-3.

"The best thing about this sport is revenge," Thompson said. "You always remember the guys who beat you. And you can't wait to get another chance at them. It's something one of my old coaches taught me. I can remember every kid that ever beat me, all the back to the midget level.

"Brandon remembers what happened at states. I'm sure he's looking forward to a rematch."

The other key bouts are 119, 125, 135 and 145, where the bulk of the Rams' talent resides.

If Phillipsburg (7-2), ranked No. 9 in The Express-Times region, can earn a split in these four weights, the bus ride back from the Jersey Shore will seem a lot shorter.

"They have four or five legitimate studs in their lineup that'll be matching up some of our better guys," Thompson said. "This will be a real big test for us."

At 119, the Stateliners will send senior John Todd (11-1) against Sean Quinn (11-1), a returning District 24 champion and Region 6 runner-up.

Unbeaten junior Jon Stillo (12-0) draws highly touted sophomore Frank Molinaro (11-0), a returning district and regional champion who transferred in from Middletown North.

Junior Chris Norrell is expected to meet senior Tyler Larson, another regional qualifier at 145.

"I think both teams' best chances for winning are probably to go straight at each other for the most part," Stout said. "It's different from wrestling a more local team where you have knowledge of some of their kids' personal tendencies and are able to exploit them. In these situations, you put your best wrestlers available on the mat and see what happens."