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Intriguing matches dot the wrestling schedule

Here are some key matches this season: Jan. 4: Paulsboro at Haddonfield, 7 p.m. - Haddonfield, ranked No. 10 by The Inquirer, is rebounding after a season in which the Bulldogs were plagued by injuries and other unforeseen events. A match with Paulsboro, ranked third, is welcomed by both coach

Here are some key matches this season:

Jan. 4: Paulsboro at Haddonfield, 7 p.m. - Haddonfield, ranked No. 10 by The Inquirer, is rebounding after a season in which the Bulldogs were plagued by injuries and other unforeseen events. A match with Paulsboro, ranked third, is welcomed by both coaches. Haddonfield's Pete DiPol said this is key, because Paulsboro is the team to beat. Paulsboro's Paul Morina said that the rivalry has intensified over the last three years, and that Haddonfield usually provides good competition.

Jan. 6: Bordentown at Delran, 6 p.m.; and Jan. 27: Cinnaminson at Delran, 6 p.m. - Delran, Bordentown and Cinnaminson tied for first place in the Burlington County League Patriot Division last season at 3-1. Overall, Delran was 23-4, Bordentown 24-8, and Cinnaminson 18-8. Delran coach Dennis Smith said the dual meets with the other two teams are for bragging rights in the county. Cinnaminson coach Mike Beirao sees the dual meet with Delran as a "measuring stick" for his team.

Jan. 13: Burlington Township at Rancocas Valley, 6:30 p.m. - Township and RV finished one-two, respectively, last season in the Burlington County League Liberty Division. Burlington Township, ranked sixth in The Inquirer's preseason poll, beat the Red Devils last season in this dual meet; in the previous two seasons, the match went down to the last bout, with RV beating the Falcons.

Jan. 15: Eastern at Camden Catholic, 7 p.m. - Eastern, ranked No. 1 by The Inquirer, meets Camden Catholic, our No. 2 team and the defending Non-Public A champion. Eastern has three state champions in its lineup, and the Irish have balance.

Jan. 16: Delran, Moorestown at Delsea, 10 a.m. - Delran and Delsea, the Tri-County Conference Liberty Division winner, are both Group 2 teams, and Moorestown, a BCL Liberty squad, is competitive. Delsea coach Greg Sawyer views Delran as a "nice indicator for the end of the year, always well-coached and tough."

Jan. 23: Hammonton, St. Augustine and Williamstown at Paulsboro, 10 a.m. - St. Augustine coach Joe Melchiore likes this quad meet because he sees it as highly competitive, especially with Williamstown, which he describes as a "sleeper" in South Jersey. St. Augustine placed second in the Cape-Atlantic League National Division last season to Hammonton, which beat the Hermits twice. Williamstown, a Tri-County Royal Division team, did not wrestle St. Augustine last season.

Feb. 5: Collingswood at West Deptford, 7 p.m. - West Deptford, ranked ninth by The Inquirer, would enjoy beating No. 8 Collingswood, which won the Colonial Conference Liberty Division last season, when the Eagles placed third. Collingswood coach Ron Hamrick sees his team as a "spoiler" in the conference. West Deptford coach Jon Craig says his Eagles have the potential to return to the South Jersey Group 2 final.

- Bill Iezzi