Shore Sports Network Wrestling Top 10, 1/14/20

A bit of movement in this week’s Top 10, most notably Manalapan falling four spots from No. 5 to No. 9 Normally losing to an unranked team would mean being jettisoned from the Top 10, but Manalapan having a snafu on the weigh-in sheet that resulted in a forfeit played a major role. The Braves would have almost certainly won if that didn’t happen. Major props to Christian Brothers Academy, however, for the 34-32 walk-off win and a signature victory under second-year head coach Billy Ashnault.

Jackson moves up a spot despite two losses while Middletown North moves up two spots. Rumson-Fair Haven holds firm at No. 7 while Point Boro enters the rankings after a 5-0 week that included a thrilling Class B South win over Lacey. Manalapan’s tumble pushed Long Branch down one spot since the Braves defeated the Green Wave earlier this season. St. John Vianney gets bumped out of the Top 10 but has some big matches coming up that could get it right back in.

1. Southern (7-0). Last week: No. 1

Southern won nine of 14 bouts in an impressive 41-23 win over No. 4 Brick Memorial and also defeated Brick, 59-9. The win against Brick Memorial set up a huge showdown versus No. 3 Toms River North on Tuesday night. The Rams will also travel to Maryland on the weekend for the War at the Shore Tournament.

2. Howell (10-0). Last week: No. 2 

The Rebels’ 5-0 week was headlined by a wild 37-36 win over High Point on criteria between two teams ranked in the top 10 in the state. Howell also defeated No. 5 Jackson Memorial, 43-19, and earned wins over Freehold Township, Pascack Valley and Clifton. The Rebels will look to cross of another Class A North opponent Tuesday when they travel to Marlboro and will then participate in the Jack Welch Duals on Friday and Saturday.

3. Toms River North (8-2). Last week: No. 3

The Mariners won 10 of 14 bouts in a 40-17 wipeout of No. 5 Jackson Memorial and also took care of rival Toms River South, 60-15. Toms River North travels south to meet No. 1 Southern on Tuesday night in a massive Class A South match. The Mariners also have an intriguing road match at Phillipsburg on Thursday and a home tri-meet with Delsea and Toms River East on Saturday.

4. Brick Memorial (7-2). Last week: No. 4

The Mustangs suffered their first loss of the season in falling to No. 1 Southern, 41-23. They then went 3-1 at the Williamstown Duals, defeating Delsea, Timber Creek and Williamstown before falling to Kingsway, 37-24, in the championship match. Brick Memorial faces crosstown rival Brick on Wednesday and then hosts rival Jackson Memorial in another important Class A South match. On Saturday, the Mustangs will head to Highland for a quad that also includes New Jersey’s top-ranked public school, North Hunterdon, along with Woodstown.

5. Jackson Memorial (4-4). Last week: No. 6 

Jackson went just 2-2 but the losses came to No. 3 Toms River North and No. 2 Howell. The Jaguars defeated Colts Neck and CBA. On Wednesday, Jackson will travel to Central Regional and on Friday will head to No. 4 Brick Memorial on Friday night for a marquee Class A South match.

6. Middletown North (5-0). Last week: No. 8 

The Lions stayed on course for the Class B North title with a 36-27 win over Ocean and a 53-14 victory over Matawan. They’ll face Wall on Wednesday before a big nondivisional match with No. 8 Point Boro on Friday night. They also had a quad with CBA, Hillsborough and Bordentown on Saturday.

7. Rumson-Fair Haven (7-1). Last week: No. 7

The Bulldogs had a nice week in going 3-1 with wins over Holmdel, Mahwah and Livingston with a loss to Seton Hall Prep. Rumson has a huge opportunity over the next seven days with matches against Raritan (Wednesday) and St. John Vianney (Monday) where wins would clinch its first division title since 2003. RFH also has a Saturday quad with Pingry, Princeton and Piscataway.

8. Point Boro (7-0). Last week: not ranked

The Panthers’ 5-0 week was headlined by a thrilling 32-25 victory over Lacey in a pivotal Class B South match. They also had division wins over Pinelands and Donovan Catholic to run their B-South winning streak to 26 matches. Point Boro also had wins over Hightstown and Toms River East. The Panthers take on Jackson Liberty on Wednesday before hosting No. 8 Middletown North in a big nondivisional dual on Friday night. On Saturday, the Panthers will welcome West Deptford and Pennsville for a tri-meet.

9. Manalapan (11-2). Last week: No. 5 

The Braves fell to CBA, 34-32, to send them falling four spots. They then went 2-1 at a quad with wins over Dumont and Old Tappan and a loss to Mendham. Manalapan has a big rivalry match with Colts Neck on Tuesday night and a Saturday tri-meet with Wall and Somerville.

10. Long Branch (8-1). Last week: No. 9 

The Green Wave topped rival Raritan, 36-20, and then went 3-0 at the Gift of Life Duals with victories over Nutley, Kearney and Xavier (NY). Long Branch takes on Middletown South on Wednesday and heads to Moorestown for the Jack Welch Duals on Friday and Saturday.

Keep an eye one:

St. John Vianney (2-0)

Point Beach (12-0)

Middletown South (8-0)

Ocean (6-3)

Managing editor Bob Badders can be reached at bob.badders@townsquaremedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @Bob_Badders. Like Shore Sports Network on Facebook and subscribe to our YouTube channel for all the latest video highlights.