The state wrestling team playoffs are underway across the state. JSZ brings you two great section semifinals featuring a pair of defending state champions. Check out North Hunterdon battling at Middletown North and Southern Regional and Howell battling to the end!
Southern Regional 33 Howell 26 | South Group 5 Semifinal
In one of the most anticipated duals of the 2025-26 wrestling season, two of New Jersey’s top public teams faced off in an absolute war. Trailing 26-24 with two bouts remaining, Southern (17-1) turned to its stars: Cade Collins secured a pin at 120 pounds, and Bucknell commit Anthony Mason sealed the Rams’ victory over Howell (20-2) with a 6-3 decision in the final bout of an incredible back-and-forth dual. Southern will travel to Kingsway on Wednesday for the South Group 5 Final, where the Rams will look to win their eighth consecutive sectional title.
JSZ’s Tyler Mroz has the highlights + reaction from Howell:
Jersey Sports Zone’s coverage of Southern Regional is made possible by Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey.
Jersey Sports Zone’s coverage of Howell is made possible by Monmouth Medical Center’s Southern Campus in Lakewood.
North Hunterdon 52 Middletown North 20 | North 2 Group 4 Semifinal
The defending Group 4 state champs scored two pins and a tech fall in the first three matches and rolled off six straight wins between 120 and 150 to return to the section championship. Last year, North Hunterdon edged Middletown North 32-21 in the state playoffs on the way to the state championship. Dylan McGuinness started at 190 with a 20-2 technical fall followed by back to back pins from Owen Dandeo and Anthony DeSimone to build a 17-0 lead. After the Blewett brothers got a major and pin for Middletown North, North Hunterdon put the match away with pins from Aidan Yarussi and Matthew Esposito getting pins as part of the six match win streak. North Hunterdon will travel to Middletown South on Wednesday for the North 2 Group 4 title.
JSZ’s Rich Chrampanis has the highlights from Middletown:
Jersey Sports Zone’s coverage of Middletown North is brought to you by Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch.
