2005-2006 Phillipsburg Stateliners In The News

Friday, December 23, 205

By BRIAN FORTNER

PHILLIPSBURG | The Phillipsburg Stateliners have never shied away from inviting opposing wrestling teams into their home gym that have designs on advancing an up and coming program.

P'burg may need to rethink that policy.

For the second straight season, the Stateliners were beaten at home by another Shore Conference team looking to solidify its status among the Garden State's elite.

Howell strolled into The Pit Thursday night and left with an impressive 39-19 independent victory.

Phillipsburg (1-1) dropped its home opener last season to Toms River North 35-33. It was the first time in 11 seasons that the 'Liners were defeated in The Pit to open a season.

"We knew they had a good team," P'burg coach Rick Thompson said. "We knew they had 12 kids back from last year. They should be No. 1 in the state if you ask me."

Phillipsburg (1-2), which pasted Toms River North 45-25 in its season opener on Saturday, defeated Howell 38-26 on the road a year ago.

The Rebels (2-0) entered Thursday's match fresh off a 30-28 upset win over highly-regarded Ocean Township the previous night.

"Things are going our way," Howell coach John Gagliano said. "P'burg is a great program and has a great tradition. It's what a lot of programs strive to be. We're very happy right now, but we realize this is only the beginning. "

Howell won nine of 14 bouts, collecting falls at 145, 171, 189 and 215 pounds.

Junior Joey Langel finished off a run of five straight Rebel wins with a 9-2 decision over Charlie McGuinness at 103 to put the match out of reach.

Howell built a 12-3 lead after four bouts, when Billy Woodward took the mat against P'burg senior Chris Norrell.

Norrell avenged last season's defeat to Woodward by reversing and pinning the defending District 21 and Region 6 champ with a reverse half-nelson at 2:39 of the second period.

Woodward, who majored Norrell 14-3 last season, scored the opening takedown before Norrell reversed him to tie the bout with five seconds left in the first period.

Norrell (2-0), a District 1 champ, started the second period on bottom, but was able to slip a leg ride and put Woodward on his back for the fall to cut the P'burg deficit to 12-9.

Younger brother Brian Norrell followed with a 9-7 decision over Frank Marmino at 160 to make it 12-12.

The 'Liners wouldn't win another bout until Jon Gregory escaped three seconds into the fourth overtime period to earn a 6-5 decision over Cody Forbes at 112.

By that time, Howell had built a 36-12 lead with three bouts remaining.

Sophomore 119-pounder Luke Grassi made it 36-19 with an 11-2 major decision over Mark Aquino.

P'burg's other winner was Jon Stillo, who escaped with 52 seconds left in the third period to score a 4-3 decision of Jimmy Bohn at 130.

"Our goal is to be .500 and reach the (North 2 Group 4) playoffs," Thompson said. "If we can do that and do well in the sectionals, we might have a chance to meet up with Howell again. Remember, it's December 22, not February 22. We'll see how we respond to losing."

Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 12/23/05