Wrestling: It’s the Upper Darby-Garnet Valley Show again this season

Upper Darby and Garnet Valley or Garnet Valley and Upper Darby.

It doesn’t matter which order they’re placed, but ask any wrestling coach in Delaware County — regardless of league — which teams they expect the most from this season and their refrain is unanimous. And rarely is a third-best team even mentioned.

Fresh off its four-match sweep at the Westhampton Beach Duals in New York, Upper Darby is clicking on all cylinders with the senior Petril twins — Anthony (8-0 at 106/113) and All-Delco Austin (8-0 at 113/120) — starting things off.

“They’re unbelievable,’ Royals coach Bob Martin said of the Petrils. “They eat, live, sweat and die wrestling.’

Josh Yeboah-Gyasi, a junior All-Delco returnee, has four pins in going 6-3 at 195, and freshman Colin Cronin (7-3 at 120/126) sparked interest by opening the season 5-0, including a pin, two major decisions and a technical fall.

Garnet Valley’s team is deep and talented, which led Jaguars coach Rocco Fantazzi to say, “if everything works out the way it is on paper, the league will hopefully be decided between Garnet Valley and Upper Darby which, ironically, is the last match of the season for both teams.’

Upper Darby kept Garnet Valley from posting a perfect record and league title last season, so the Jags are determined to take care of some unfinished business.

At the front of the charge are returning All-Delco senior captains John Dambro (11-3 at 170) and Mike Marino (11-3 at 126/132). Sophomore Gary Pizzuto (9-2 at 132/138/145) and junior Pat Rowe (9-4 at 138/145) have solidified the middle of the lineup.

Penncrest’s 50-man roster is the squad’s largest in recent memory, according to coach Greg Jacobs, who has a lot more than sophomore All-Delco Liam Frank (9-3 at 182/195) returning.

Seniors Ryan Dougherty (13-1 at 152) and Austin Jacque (11-2 at 195/220), junior Joe Pyfer (10-2 at 170/182) and freshman Ryan Stocku (8-4 at 120) have the Lions eyeing the Royals and Jaguars for a run at the title.

No one would be surprised to see 80-year-old Carl Schnellenbach rally Ridley toward the top of the standings, although the iconic coach gave a “we’ll show up and compete’ response to the Green Raiders’ chances.

So far, so good for a pair of seniors, four-year starter Donte McCarthy (11-2 at 120/126) and three-year starter Matt Sauselein (10-3 at 160/170).

Haverford coach Dave Siegel expected leadership from senior captains Wyatt Martin (10-1 at 160/170) and Chip Rossini (8-3 at 220), and felt that freshman Noah Strehse (10-2 at 132) showed a lot of promise. Junior Matt Bloxton (9-3 at 160/170) has also been a factor in the Fords’ early success.

New Marple Newtown coach Pat Crater has 40 athletes on the roster and the luxury of turning to three-time All-Delco Jason Rinaldi (14-2 at 113/120) and fellow seniors Pat Callaghan (14-1 at 126/138), Markos Katrakazis (10-3 at 195), Eric Trainor (7-2 at 220/285) and a healthy Zach Falcone (3-0 at 285) for leadership.

Strath Haven coach Erik Hollingsworth is “very proud’ of the way the Panthers have rebounded from a 1-6 start, which was precipitated by a very green, very thin lineup.

At the heart of the quick turnaround have been the Frantz brothers, with senior captain Nate (106) rolling to a 17-1 record and sophomore Noah (113/120) following right along at 14-4. Heavyweight Justin Freemont has also been a rock throughout, going 16-2 with 13 pins.

Big changes have altered the look of the Radnor program, where 40-year coach Skip Shoemaker retired and handed over the reins to 25-year-old Matt Torresani.

A perfect start by junior Tom Meyers (12-0 at 160) and a recent 7-0 run by senior Addison Hanson (8-1 at 170/182) have eased the Raiders’ transition somewhat.

Springfield has struggled out of the gate, despite strong showings from junior Joey Sciarrino (7-0 at 170/182) and all-purpose senior Dennis Charamella (7-1 at 120/ 138/145/152).

Garnet Valley s Mike Marino celebrates his win over Marple Newtown s Pat Callaghan during the Central League Championships last season, a triumph that also marked his 100th win. This season, Marino and fellow senior captain John Dambro both All-Delcos are at the forefront of a dangerous Jaguars team. (Julia Wilkinson)