News Flash

Teams are relishing the underdog role

Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 02/16/06
BY JOE ADELIZZI
STAFF WRITER

Central goes into its NJSIAA South Jersey Group III wrestling match against Kingsway with those in the know around the state figuring the Golden Eagles are fighting an uphill battle.

The so-called experts say the same things about Raritan as it travels to Delaware Valley in Central Jersey Group II; about Howell, which goes against Jackson, the No. 1 team in the state, in Central Jersey Group IV, and about Wall, which tries for a third straight year to get past Ocean in Central Jersey Group III.

"What it takes to win is one night when everyone wrestles their best," said Central coach Mike Bischoff, explaining what the underdogs must do.

His team got that last year when the Golden Eagles ended Kingsway's five-year run of SJ III titles with a victory.

"It was the most exciting moment we've had as a team," said Bischoff, who likes his role as an underdog.

"I think, as a team, we relate better to the role of underdog. We're comfortable there," he said.

Jason Nase said having his Wall team go against Ocean again has fed into the development of a rivalry.

"But you have to win to call it a rivalry," Nase said.

Actually, he's pleased as can be he's reached the finals again.

"When the season began, most people thought we were down. But these kids have battled all year. Here it is at the end of the season and we are in exactly the same spot we were last year. I'm proud of that," Nase said.

Strangely enough, his team seems to have benefited from a week off during the SCT because of skin problems.

"We got healthy during that week," he said. "We seem to be wrestling really well right now."

Raritan's Rob Nucci believes in his heart the Rockets can upset Delaware Valley, something they did two years ago.

"I think the matchups could be right for us," said Nucci, whose Rockets knocked off Point Boro in the sectional semifinals.

For Howell, a team that has lost just once this season, being in the underdog role is a strange position.

"It just shows how great the Shore Conference is," Howell coach John Gagliano said. "I told the kids to just wrestle our hearts out. We don't have all the pressure. We know going in that we're facing the best team in the state."