Match has special meaning to coach

It's fitting that Gene Barber's final match against Paulsboro is today in the Red Raiders' gym.

It's a homecoming for the veteran coach.

Barber will bring his Absegami team into Paulsboro at 1 p.m. to face his alma mater in a nonleague clash of two of the top five teams in South Jersey.

"Gene is somebody that I've always looked up to," Paulsboro coach Paul Morina said. "He's been a credit to the sport."

Barber won a district title as a 168-pounder for the Red Raiders in 1969.

He has been the head coach at Absegami since 1978 and is retiring from coaching after this season.

Barber enters today's match with a career record of 503-135-4. Paulsboro officials plan to honor Barber for his 500th career victory before today's match.

Barber was a substitute teacher at Paulsboro during the mid-1970s and used to work out in the wrestling room with Morina and his brother, Carmel.

"He was a big help to both of us," Morina said. "He's a great guy."