Although there have been a few adjustments, the overall outlook for New Jersey dual match wrestling supremacy looks a lot like it did before the season even got started. Today marks the first installment of The Trentonian’s Public School State Rankings and once again it’s led by No. 1 Southern a nd No. 2 Delsea occupying the top two spots with a rebuilt and an impressive young Howell squad running a close third. As has become the total norm among many of the elite teams in the state, both Delsea and Southern have been bolstered by transfers. As such, it’s hypocritical at times to whine about the parochial schools loading up when it’s not just the private schools landing recruits. A classic example of this occurred last week when Rumson-Fair Haven got destroyed by Christian Brothers, 62-15. and following the match its coach talked about how the parochials have the advantage because of their ability to bring in transfers. Given Rumson-Fair Haven’s very own history on this front, give us a break. Anyway, when it comes to the eventual No. 1 public school ranking in the state, the good news is it will be in all probability decided on the mat. And the reason you can say that is a major new addition to the schedule as four-time defending Group 3 state champion Delsea is scheduled to wrestle at three-time defending Group 5 state champion Southern early next month. Southern is off to a 5-0 start, including a 36-29 season-opening win over North Hunterdon. Delsea (8-1) did suffer a loss to Paramus Catholic over the weekend, but owns a 34-29 victory Howell at the Boresch Duals. That was the only loss so far for Howell, which has exploded back on the scene by beating North Hunterdon, 35-29, and Phillipsburg last week, 46-29. The other reason you can it will be settled on the mat is Howell and Southern are both in South Jersey Group 5. On the other hand, if Southern beats Delsea and Howell beats Southern, it will result in a classic triangle because of Delsea’s earlier win over Howell. Looking briefly ahead to groups, the Southern-Howell match probably holds the key to Group 5 and Delsea is a huge favorite to repeat in Group 3. Keep an eye on Group 4. The next three spots in The Trentonian’s ratings are No. 4 Phillipsburg, No. 5 North Hunterdon and No. 6 Mt. Olive. All are Group 4 teams. For its part, after getting trounced by Howell on its home mat last Monday, Phillipsburg bounced right back two nights later and beat North Hunterdon, 35-30. As for Mt. Olive, it may take a while to get a reading on that team. Its two losses are to Pope John and Southern, 38-26, and the remainder of its schedule is not exactly formidable. Mt. Olive was scheduled to wrestle Phillipsburg, but that match was canceled because of skin issues with the Liners. Also in Group 4, Middletown North got off a strong start, but it just got smashed by Middletown South, 42-23. Middletown South has lost just once, but it was against Ramapo. Ramapo? Defending champion and No. 8 Delaware Valley is the favorite in Group I with perhaps its biggest challenge coming from Manville.  Paulsboro, of course, is usually in the Group 1 mix, but it just lost to Cinnaminson and was destroyed by a Wall team that was pulverized by undefeated and No 9 Jackson by the score of 67-6. No. 7 Rumson-Fair Haven and No. 10 Lower Cape May certainly appear to be the class of Group 2. AREA SCENE The biggest match in the area this week pits No. 2 Delaware Valley at No.1 North Hunterdon Tuesday night. It’s a big week for DelVal period because it will also travel to Phillipsburg on Friday. On paper North Hunterdon is favored to beat Delaware Valley but you never know in a rivalry match. These two have produced some classics over the years, including last season when North Hunterdon beat Delaware Valley, 34-33, in a wild match in which Andy Fitz’s team came up just short when it won the last bout by technical fall. Things are also starting to heat up on the Colonial Valley Conference front with the top matches this week pitting Steinert at Hightstown on Wednesday and Steinert at Robbinsville Saturday morning in the first part of a quad. Robbinsville is wrestling well. In the past week it cruised past Allentown and then beat Northern Burlington. It also had a near miss against an Immaculata team that wasn’t at all anticipating it coming down to the last bout. Steinert suffered its first loss when it fell to Delran on Saturday, but the Spartans (10-1) are certainly making their share of noise. This included a wild 215-pound bout against Notre Dame in which things got things feisty between the two coaching staffs. The Steinert-Hightstown match could very well end up determining which team will capture the Colonial Valley Conference’s Colonial Division championship. MILESTONE Congratulations to Trenton’s Princessstorm Woody, who recently picked up her 100th career win. This would appear to place her atop Mercer County’s list for all-time wins by a girl. It’s the final year for Woody, who was second in the state last year. A three-time medalist at states, Woody is currently ranked fourth in the state at 114 pounds and is the Mercer wrestler most likely to make a deep run in Atlantic City. Trentonian Public School State Wrestling Rankings 1. Southern (5-0) 2. Delsea (8-1) 3. Howell (11-1) 4. Phillipsburg (3-1) 5. North Hunterdon (4-6) 6. Mt. Olive (6-2) 7. Rumson-Fair Haven (5-2) 8. Delaware Valley (10-0) 9. Jackson (8-0) 10. Lower Cape May (10-0) Trentonian Area Wrestling Ratings 1. North Hunterdon (4-6) 2. Delaware Valley (10-0) 3. Seneca (8-1) 4. Hopewell Valley (8-1) 5. Robbinsville (9-6) 6. Rancocas Valley (8-3) 7. Delran (6-0) 8. Steinert (10-1) 9. Hightstown (10-5) 10. Northern Burlington (7-6) 11. Cinnaminson (4-4) 12. Lenape (4-2) 13. Shawnee (4-5) 14. Allentown (7-2) HIGHLIGHT MATCHES Tuesday: Hopewell Valley at Allentown, Delaware Valley at North Hunterdon. Wednesday: Steinert at Hightstown. Thursday: Allentown at Northern Burlington. Friday: Delaware Valley at Phillipsburg, Jack Welch Duals at Moorestown. Saturday: Jack Welch Duals at Moorestown Steinert at Robbinsville quad. ...read more read less