Knights to Battle Falcons for Another Title

NORTH CALDWELL - West Essex was not going to look by River Dell on Wednesday to the anticipated matchup with Jefferson.

The Knights jumped out to a 35-3 lead en route to a 46-18 victory in the semi-finals of the Group 2, North 1 state sectional over the Golden Hawks Wednesday.

The victory raised West Essex's dual meet record to 8-4, but more importantly it moved the Knights into an encore battle with the Jefferson Falcons on Friday night for the Group 2, North 1 title match in North Caldwell. 

Last season in Jefferson, , for the championship. In last season's title game, West Essex did not clinch the match until the last bout when Anthony Pompei, West Essex, pinned Jefferson's Nick Monteverdi at 5:02 in the 135-pound match.

Against River Dell this season, Pompei registered a major decision over John Arancio, 13-4, in the 135-weight class giving the Knights a 19-0 lead.

For the seniors, including Paul Cafone (171) and Frank Marotti (152), this is the most important state tournament run for them. They both said they did not bypass the Golden Hawks to the rematch with Jefferson. 

Despite the lopsided victory both seniors admitted as a team they were still "sloppy" overall.

"We were a little sloppy tonight so hopefully will get all the kinks out for Friday," said Cafone.

Cafone clinched the match at 171 for the Knights as he pinned River Dell's Kevin Samuel in 24 seconds to make it 35-3 for West Essex.

"I knew that he was going to go up top and I was able to put him on his back," said Cafone, whose fastest pin is 9 seconds.

West Essex also registered pins from Jimmy Ciampi (125 at 2:52), Anthony Perrotti (130 at 1:24), Dominic Valeriani (heavyweight at 11 seconds) and Carlo Zazzara (112 at 5:20).

There was no let down for the Knights right from the start of the match against River Dell.

West Essex won the first five matches and built a 22-0 lead before Golden Hawks finally grabbed a bout at 145 pounds.

West Essex 46, River Dell 18

119, 3-0, Mike Marotti, West Essex, defeated Brendan Campbell, River Dell, 9-3

125, 9-0, Jimmy Ciampi, West Essex, pinned Cenzo Cariadi, RIver Dell, 2:52

130, 15-0, Anthony Perrotti, West Essex, pinned John McLaughlin, River Dell, 1:24

135, 19-0, Anthony Pompei, West Essex, major decision, John Arancio, River Dell, 13-4

140, 22-0, James Avraamides, West Essex, defeated Tyler Kallensee, River Dell, 7-1

145, 22-3, Zach Deckler, River Dell, defeated Mark Dipsey, West Essex, 9-8

152, 26-3, Frank Marotti, West Essex, major decision, Nick Baranello, River Dell, 12-4

160, 29-3, Joe Velardi, West Essex, defeated, Andrew Pohl, River Dell, 10-3

171, 35-3, Paul Cafone, West Essex, pinned Kevin Samuel, River Dell, 24 seconds

189, 35-6, Ricky Rizzo, River Dell, defeated John Herbach, West Essex, 4-0

Note: One point deducted from West Essex

215, 34-12, Lenny Smith, River Dell, pinned Grant McGuire, West Essex, 4:36

285, 40-12, Dominic Valeriani, West Essex, pinned Brian Coyman, River Dell, 11 seconds

103, 40-18, Danny Lynch, River Dell, pinned Chris Caputo, West Essex, 1:26

112, 46-18, Carlo Zazzara, West Essex, pinned D. J. Tirelli, River Dell, 5:20