PHILLIPSBURG 49, KITTATINNY 12.
Nick Pare's 2-1 defeat is one of only three bouts lost by 'Liners.
PHILLIPSBURG | The Phillipsburg High School wrestling team looked sharp Wednesday night against Kittatinny.
The most impressive part of the Stateliners 49-12 victory over the visiting Cougars was one of three bouts the Stateliners did not win.
In the marquee bout of the night, P'burg senior Nick Pare dropped a nail-biter to Kittatinny standout Troy Hernandez at 152.
Hernandez (15-0), who placed third in the state last season, reversed Pare with 43 seconds left and held on for a dramatic 2-1 decision.
"I was going for a claw ride and (Hernandez) countered it perfectly," Pare said of giving up the match-winning reversal. "This was most likely for the top seed in the region. He got the best of me this time."
Pare nearly turned the tables on the Cougars' two-time state place-winner, but time ran out just as it looked as if he was ready to secure a reversal.
"I refereed a long time myself and that was a tough call," P'burg head coach Jason Magditch said. "If it's another kid, the ref might give you that reversal. (Hernandez) is third in the state, so maybe he got the benefit of the doubt. I think it's a good measuring stick for Nick."
Pare came out the back door and appeared to have control with Hernandez trapped beneath him near the edge of the mat. Hernandez retained control, however, with his hands locked on Pare's left leg as time ran out.
"I was surprised when the buzzer went off," Pare said. "I thought I had a little more time on the clock."
Hernandez's victory made the match score 25-6 and Kittatinny didn't win another bout until freshman 103-pounder Avelino Jacinto closed things out with a fall in the final bout of the night.
Phillipsburg, ranked second in The Express-Times region and fourth in New Jersey by The Star-Ledger, collected four falls, a technical fall and two major decisions to improve to 8-0 on the season.
Oliver Brukhardt (145), Mike Simon (160), Matt Santini (215) and heavyweight Jim Tersigni all won by fall for the 'Liners.
P'burg improves to 9-5 all-time in the series with the Cougars 9-5.
"I like the way we piled up the points," Magditch said. "We looked at this team and our goal was to keep them in single digits. We didn't do that. But it was a nice win."
Magditch's squad may have had something to prove after struggling with Hillsborough 35-27 last Thursday.
Sophomore Rylan Watson got the 'Liners off to a solid start with an 11-3 major decision over Derek Conrad at 112.
Matt Lane made it a 7-3 P'burg lead by taking Clarke Moynihan to his back for a four-point move in overtime and a 6-2 decision at 125.
Senior 171-pounder Eric Bohem put the match away with four bouts remaining with a 9-2 decision over John Sandford.
John Horak won by tech fall at 130, while Bob Moyer recorded the other major decision. Adam Simon (135) and Jared Crouse (189) also scored decisions for the 'Liners.
PHILLIPSBURG 49, KITTATINNY 12
112 -- So. Rylan Watson (9-6), P, md. So. Derek Conrad (8-7), 11-3.
119 -- So. Garrett Scrivani (11-5), K, d. So. Dan Brockerhoff (1-9), 7-2.
125 -- So. Matt Lane (17-3), P, d. Fr. Clarke Moynihan (12-4), 6-2 OT.
130 -- Jr. John Horak (16-4), P, tf. So Joe Maio (0-2) 15-0, 2:49.
135 -- Jr. Adam Simon (6-0), P, d. Jr. Sean Lombardi (10-6), 6-3.
140 -- Sr. Bob Moyer (13-4), P, md. Sr. Chris Simpson (8-6), 11-3.
145 -- Jr. Oliver Brukhardt (14-5), P, p. So. Matt Parkyn (0-1), 4:30.
152 -- Sr. Troy Hernandez (15-0), K, d. Sr. Nick Pare (13-7), 2-1.
160 -- Sr. Mike Simon (11-5), P, p. Jr. Peter Klimek (8-6), 4:41.
171 -- Sr. Eric Bohem (9-9), P, d. Sr. John Sandford (3-9), 9-2.
189 -- Sr. Jared Crouse (13-4), P, d. Sr. Eric Bach (12-4), 4-3.
215 -- Sr. Matt Santini (14-4), P, p. Jr. Nick Molteni (3-10), 3:32.
285 -- Sr. Jim Tersigni (12-7), P, p. Sr. Casey Stabile (1-7) 2:33.
103 -- Fr. Avelino Jacinto (13-2), K, p. Fr. Matt Silva (5-9), 2:49.
Records -- Kittatinny 4-6; Phillipsburg 8-0.
Referee -- Chip Clymer
JV score -- Phillipaburg 63-9.