Keys To Victory: #6 Central Dauphin vs. #13 Exeter Twp.
Tonight in the District 3 Dual Team semifinals the #6 Central Dauphin Rams will tangle with #13 Exeter Township. There are several keys for each time in order to come away with a win and advance into the Championship Finals where in all likelihood awaits #7 Cumberland Valley. On the bottom half #7 Cumberland Valley takes on Cedar Cliff who the Eagles defeated (51-10) less than a week ago. Pending a catastrophic meltdown Cumberland Valley will clinch a spot in the PIAA State Dual Team Tournament where a year ago they were the State Runner-ups.
#6 Central Dauphin vs. #13 Exeter Township
Bonus Point Battle: If Central Dauphin is going to win they need to expose Exeter’s holes. At 106 lbs. freshman Mitchell Arch will be expected to pick up six points against Brandon Borton. Likewise #12 Chris Wright will be expected to pick up bonus points at 113 lbs. against Ryan Watts. #3 Austin DeSanto is capable of picking up big points but if #15 Jake Cherry can hold the junior to a decision or even a major decision I think thats a win for Central Dauphin. At 195 lbs. #21 Dennis Karas (EX) will be expected to pick up bonus points against undersized Hunter Neilson (CD).
Studs Need To Shine: #2 Tyshawn White has become the anchor of the Rams line-up at 126 lbs. and should meet recently dropped #10 James Harkness who is a returning PIAA State Qualifier. White will be expected to get the win and if he sneaks out a major decision that would be huge for the Rams. On the flip side #4 Brett Kulp needs to pick up a tough win for Exeter at 132 lbs. against #13 Andrew Wert. The pair of 2015 PIAA State Medalists could prove to be a key bout in the dual.
Middle Weight Swings: Like several other dual meets this season for the Rams their middle weights will be crucial in the dual’s outcome. At 138 lbs. Austin Bentz (CD) will be expected to get a win against Justin Landis (EX). Junior Joey Stoaks (CD) has come up huge in duals against Mifflin County and Cumberland Valley this season and will need to do the same tonight. He should go against Tyler Harkness at 145 lbs. in a key bout. At 160 lbs. Phil Petrina will need to pick up a win and possible bonus points against John Harrell.
Toss-Ups: I have 152 lbs. as a toss-up match between #12 Skitch Light (CD) and #15 Tyler Bagoly. In addition 170 lbs. will be a toss-up between Cartor Talbot (CD) and Tyler Borton (EX). If #15 Koltyn Eason (CD) gets bumped up to 182 lbs. it will be a decent match with Nolan Buck (EX). It may serve the Rams better if Eason stays at 170 lbs. to pick up the win against Tyler Borton and bump Carter Talbot up to 182 lbs. to possibly steal a match against Buck. At the least if the two exchange regular decision at 170 lbs. and 182 lbs. that would be a win for CD. Two of the biggest toss-ups of the dual meet will be back-to-back with 220 lbs. and 285 lbs. CD’s JP Mareno and Jon Greenleaf will be a battle at 220 lbs. with both equally capable of winning. Same with heavyweight where #15 Evan Childs (CD) and #16 Oscar Daniels (EX) meet. The pair are neck and neck in both the South Central Regional and State AAA Rankings.