The power in the Ches-Mont League has shifted somewhat, but things in District 1 appear to be a lot of the same.
Boyertown has won the last three Class AAA District 1 Duals, defeating Council Rock South the past two years in the finals. Boyertown and South are the top two seeds once again, while the new frontrunner for the Ches-Mont, No. 6 Downingtown West, leads a local contingent of five into the 16-team tournament.
West Chester Rustin and Methacton are the host sites for Thursday’s first round duals, with the first pair of duals starting at 5:30 p.m., and the next pair slated to begin just after, around 7 p.m.
West Chester Henderson, the No. 12 seed, faces No. 5 Garnet Valley and No. 13 Coatesville sees No. 4 Owen J. Roberts at Rustin in the first session, with West and No. 11 Upper Perkiomen and No. 8 Rustin against No. 9 Upper Darby to follow. Fifteenth-seeded Oxford travels to Methacton to take on No. 2 Council Rock South at 5:30 p.m.
Here’s a quick look at each matchup, with the statistics and rankings from pa-wrestling.com.
No. 1 Boyertown (15-1) vs. No. 16 Neshaminy (7-12)
District Duals history: Boyertown: 5x champ (’16, ’15, ’14, ’10, ’01 (in District 3)), runner-up (’09), third place 2x (’13, ’05).
Ranked wrestlers: Boyertown: Matt Wilde, (2, 113), David Campbell (2, 126), Jacob Campbell (1, 132), Chris Berry (5, 152), Hunter Vogels (3, 160), Elijah Jones (1, 182), Michael Porreca (HM, 195). Neshaminy: Jackson Erb (4, 126), Kyle Osterhoudt (4, 285).
Best potential matchup: David Campbell (21-5) vs. Jackson Erb (21-2), 126.
The lowdown: The Bears have won three district titles in a row and the last of their dominant lineups makes up a strong, battle-tested core. Even with some injuries, Boyertown should be able to heal up and move on to the second weekend rather easily.
No. 2 Council Rock South (7-0) Vs. No. 15 Oxford (11-3)
District Duals history: Council Rock South: 2x champ (’11, ’08), 5x runner-up (’16, ’15, ’10, ’07, ’06), third place (’14). Oxford: AA champ (’94).
Ranked wrestlers: Council Rock South: Maximo Mendez (1, 106), Ben Radner (HM, 126), Zack Trampe (1, 138), Cary Palmer (2, 145), Riley Palmer (2, 152), Joey Doyle (2, 220). Oxford: Brandon Sheffield (HM, 138), David Cox (1, 170).
Best potential matchup: Trampe (16-1) vs. Sheffield (16-1), 138.
The lowdown: South is the question mark of the tournament. The injury bug has bitten the Golden Hawks, but when healthy they may have the highest ceiling out of any team. Oxford has its best team in awhile, but the Hornets will likely only walk away with some valuable tough matches under their belts.
No. 3 Methacton (9-1) vs. No. 14 Penncrest (15-4)
District Duals history: Methacton: champ (’98).
Ranked wrestlers: Methacton: Corey Morabito (5, 106), Kibwe McNair (HM, 120), Dylan Henry (5, 138), Roman Moser (HM, 145), Bryce Reddington (3, 152), Michael Blakemore (4, 160), Brendan Marion (3, 170). Penncrest: Dayton DelViscio (4, 106), Ryan Stocku (4, 145)
Best potential matchup: Morabito (18-2) vs. DelViscio (23-0), 106.
The lowdown: Methacton is having a renaissance season leading to its highest duals seed. Penncrest has some scrappers throughout the lineup, but the Warriors has more horsepower to roll into the quarterfinals.
No. 4 Owen J. Roberts (10-1) vs. No. 13 Coatesville (6-5)
District Duals history: Owen J Roberts: 2x champ (’13, ’12), third place (’11).
Ranked wrestlers: OJR: Luke Resnick (2, 120), Dan Mancini (1, 145), Ryan Resnick (2, 160), Nick Duliakas (1, 195). Coatesville: Brent Windle (HM, 138), Chase Stephens (1, 152).
Best potential matchup: Cole Meredith (16-4) vs. Windle (5-0)
The lowdown: Owen J. Roberts is battle-tested after a challenging tournament schedule and this is the Wildcats eighth straight appearance in the duals. The Red Raiders are looking for their first district duals win, ever, and are finally healthy and should win a handful of bout. Owen J. is tied with CR South in 3A for most points per dual, with 52.
No. 5 Garnet Valley (15-3) vs. No. 12 West Chester Henderson (20-1)
District Duals history: Garnet: AA champ 3x (’95, ’98, ’00), AAA fourth place (’14).
Ranked wrestlers: Garnet: Matt Marino (1, 126), Nick Puliti (3, 138). Henderson: Killian Delaney (HM, 113), Jake Reid (5, 120).
Best potential matchup: Puliti (21-4) vs. Matt Phayre (16-7), 145
The lowdown: The Jaguars are scary because they can score in bunches. They lead District 1 with 114 pins as a team and the only times they’ve been held under 40 points in a dual they’ve lost. Henderson has the second-most pins with 108, but the Warriors’ schedule has not been as tough as the Jags’ and thats the reason for Henderson’s seed despite being 20-1.
No. 6 Downingtown West (11-3) vs. No. 11 Upper Perkiomen (4-5)
District Duals history: Upper Perk: 6x champ (’07, ’06, ’05, ’04, ’00, ’99), third place (’13).
Ranked wrestlers: West: Doug Zapf (2, 113), Gavin Hale (5, 145), Cole Zapf (3, 182). Upper Perk: Jared Kuhns (4, 113), Mike Modugno (3, 220).
Best potential matchup: Doug Zapf (24-2) vs. Kuhns (20-3)
The lowdown: The Whippets are back to relevance in the district for the first time since ’08, and they are a rising challenger. With just three seniors, this likely isn’t a fluke, and West has become a gritty team. West will need that grit against Upper Perk, who doesn’t have the talent of a decade ago, but is always down for a good fight.
No. 7 Spring-Ford (12-1) vs. No. 10 Souderton (8-5)
District Duals history: Spring-Ford: runner-up (’14), third place (’15, ’12) fourth place (’11).
Ranked wrestlers: Spring-Ford: Brandon Meredith (1, 113), Matt Lepore (HM, 285). Souderton: Harrison Andrade (HM, 120), Jake Phaup (HM, 182), Jack Morgan (HM, 220).
Best potential matchup: Dirk Nugent (12-7) vs. Andrade (18-6)
The lowdown: Both teams used a win over Pennridge this month to propel them into the top 10. Neither is stacked with power, but both are solid. The Rams are used to being in tough matches and come from the tougher league, and Souderton starts in the hole without a 106-pounder.
No. 8 West Chester Rustin (12-3) vs. No. 9 Upper Darby (10-1)
District Duals history: Upper Darby: fourth place (’16)
Ranked wrestlers: Rustin: Brett Kaliner (2, 132), Collin Hurley (HM, 160). Upper Darby: Colin Cronin (2, 138), Max Livingston (HM, 152), Brian Kennerly (1, 220).
Best potential matchup: Dan Labus (17-4) vs. Livingston (20-3)
The lowdown: A rematch from last year’s quarterfinals when the Royals won, 35-30. Rustin is very solid between 126-182, and will have to get its points there to advance. Upper Darby has a pair of state-level stars in Cronin and Kennerly, but has its fair share of holes as well. This one will be about who stays off their backs more.
