Jags make Absegami
earn title
Jags give state’s top team its toughest match
BY MIKE WHITE
Staff Writer

TRENTON — The Jackson High School wrestling team realized it would take a monumental effort to knock off state power Absegami in the NJSIAA Group IV final.

After all, the Braves had captured three consecutive Group IV titles and came into the finals with an intimidating 91-match win streak.

The Jags very nearly pulled off a colossal upset, winning six bouts, but in the end it wasn’t enough, and Absegami walked with their fourth straight Group IV title by posting a 33-20 victory last Sunday at the Sovereign Bank Arena.

"There is a reason why they have been the best team in the state the last four years in a row," Jackson coach Scott Goodale said. "Our kids did a great job. We did a great job of preparing our kids to wrestle in this match. We had the match-ups we wanted, but they took a couple of close matches that we thought we might be able to win."

The Jags, who fall to 21-1 overall, managed to win six bouts en route to their only defeat of the season. Jeff Bradley (112 pounds), Jeff Pascarella (119), Glen Booth (135), Preston Brown (145) and Kevin Shelly (160) all posted victories.

"We were going against a giant of a team out there," Goodale said. "I think we proved a lot out there today. We have felt all year that we’ve belonged on the big stage with the rest of the powerhouse programs in the state. We’ve beaten a lot of solid teams to get this. Our program is definitely heading in the direction that we want it."

Goodale cited the fan support for giving his team a boost.

"The fans have been great all year," Goodale said. "They are unbelievable. They provide us with a great atmosphere to wrestle in. We had a great turnout at this event. They have played a huge part in our success this season."

After losing the first two bouts of the championship match, Bradley got the Jags on the board with a win by major decision.

Pascarella, a senior and one of Jackson’s top wrestlers the past four years, followed with a 9-5 win at 119 pounds.

"We kind of figured those two guys were a lock to win," Goodale said.

"Those two wins got us back in the match after falling behind early. Bradley’s win was big because it got us bonus points."

Absegami got wins at the next two weight classes before Booth won a close 13-11 decision. Brown had an easy time of it, winning at 145 pounds, and Shelly jumped to 160 pounds and won 5-3 in overtime.

"We put Shelly at that weight because we thought it was the best strategy," Goodale said. "He did a great job of fighting his way into overtime and then winning the match."

Goodale will spend the rest of this week preparing wrestlers for the individual state tournament.

"It’s been a great season," Goodale said. "We captured an A South title, the Shore Conference title and a sectional championship. It turns out that there was only one team in the state that was better than us. That is nothing to hang your head about."