It was familiar territory for the Paulsboro wrestling team: Midway through their South Jersey Group 1 title match against Pennsville, the Red Raiders were down.
"We've been down all year," Paulsboro coach Paul Morina said. "But our lightweights have been able to put up big points for us all year.
"And, I'll tell you what, our upper weights did a great job of saving us points. And even though we were down, we knew we were in a position to win."
The Red Raiders turned a 22-9 deficit, after eight matches, into a 31-28 win Friday night, sealing another sectional title for the area's most storied wrestling program.
"It feels great to win it," said 113-pound freshman Sam Morina, whose pin of Jacob Samuels led Paulsboro's charge in the lightweights. "We just never lost confidence.
"I knew I needed bonus points. Everyone told me I needed a pin, and I just tried my best to get it."
John Gentile's major decision at 106, coupled with Morina's pin, quickly turned the momentum back in Paulsboro's favor.
The match's most crucial, and most controversial, moment happened later in the 126-pound bout. After giving up a go-ahead point with 30 seconds left in the third period, Paulsboro's Juan Rivera scored - or was awarded, depending on whom you ask - a takedown at the buzzer, giving him a 6-5 win and Paulsboro a 25-22 lead with two matches left.
Pennsville fans, who made up a sizable portion of the packed Paulsboro gym, were screaming "home-cooking" accusations.
"I don't know what was going on with that [takedown]," Pennsville coach Dan LaMont said. "But the better team won today. . . . We battled, but obviously we're disappointed."
Ron Gentile followed Rivera's emotional win with a pin in just 35 seconds, sealing the match for Paulsboro.
The Results
PAULSBORO 31, PENNSVILLE 28
145: Monty Krough, Pennsville, dec. Niko Savaiinaea, 2-1; 152: Nick Knauer, Paulsboro, dec. Dylan Robbins, 8-4; 160: Colton Newsome, Pennsville, maj. dec. Tyler Adams, 12-2; 170: Mike Silvestro, Paulsboro, dec., Collin Bunch 5-0; 182: Zach Funk, Paulsboro, dec. Timothy Esham, 5-1; 195: Earl Small, Pennsville, pin Joe Muraca, 1:11; 220: Anthony DeVito, Pennsville, pin Davontae Randall, 2:51; Hwt.: Cody Dooley, Pennsville, dec. Austin Im, 3-2; 106: John Gentile, Paulsboro maj. dec. Tim Donnelly, 15-3; 113: Sam Morina, Paulsboro, pin Jacob Samuels, 3:57; 120: Zach Wellington, Paulsboro, dec. Josh Wyshinski, 5-2; 126: Juan Rivera, Paulsboro, dec. John Ecret, 6-5; 132: Ron Gentile, Paulsboro, pin, Jacob Smith, 0:35; 138: Adrian Feliciano, Pennsville, pin Cody Croce, 1:45.
