Upper Darby decks Conestoga to stay perfect in Central

Upper Darby is closing in on winning the Central League championship outright. Friday night, the Royals earned at least a share of it with a 43-21 rout of Conestoga.

The Royals wasted no time against the Pioneers. In the opening bout, heavyweight Peter Augustin notched a 3-1 decision, beginning a string of successes by UD grapplers. Thomas Reif (106) and Jacob MNejas (113) followed with pins, and after losing the 120-pound contest, the Royals got back on track with a decision from Sam DePhillipo (126) and a major decision by Colin Cronin (132).

Pat Kane (160), Brian Kennerly (182) and Joshua Yeboah-Gyasi (220) all won by fall and Max Livingston (145) notched a decision for the Royals.

Upper Darby can become the outright champion with a win at Penncrest Saturday morning.

In other Central League action:

Garnet Valley 37, Strath Haven 30: In the final contested match of the night, Kevin Christie sealed the win for the Jags with a major decision over Zach Pratzner in the 108-pound bout.

Matt Marino (126) and Matt Mortimer (138) both scored wins by technical fall for the Jags. Robbie Peters had a decision at 145, while Ryan Rushton earned a pin at 195.

Noah Frantz (120) and Elijah Crew (220) both won by pin for the Panthers.

Penncrest 51, Marple Newtown 24: The Lions rolled behind pin falls from Ryan Stocku (132), Zach Groses (138), Dave Stevens (145), Matt Young (160), Max Miller (170), Joe Pyfer (182) and Trevor Bresford (106). Chris Alyanakian (220) and Joe Wolfenden (126) logged decisions.

In the Del Val League:

Academy Park 48, Penn Wood 27: Curi Thompson and Charles Kamara battled it out in the match of the night at 182. Thompson prevailed in overtime, 8-4. Elijah Gilmore (152) and Dillon Wallace (195) also won by fall for the Knights., while Mohammad Kaba (132) went home with a 4-1 decision.

The Patriots’ Kevin Allen (170) and Mohammed Kanneh (220) covered their opponents for the count.