Forget about the healthy dose of dislike these teams have for one another and the potential flair-ups.
Let’s focus on one thing: Notre Dame-GP wants what Saucon Valley has.
The Panthers are the seven-time defending Colonial League champions.
The Crusaders have never won the title.
Only six schools — Saucon Valley, Pen Argyl, Northwestern, Northern Lehigh, Wilson and Bangor — have earned at least a share of a league title.
Saucon Valley also has two impressive streaks on the line. Coach Chad Shirk’s club has won 73 league matches in a row and 75 consecutive regular-season dual meets overall.
Notre Dame-GP has as much of a chance as anyone to snap the streaks with a strong returning lineup that includes three state champions (two in Pennsylvania, one in New Jersey). This is the Crusaders’ first action of the season.
Saucon Valley repeated as team champion at the Tom Best Memorial Top Hat tournament last weekend at Williamsport.
Both programs finished in the top seven at last season’s state team duals. Both expect to be there again in February.
Shirk built Saucon Valley into one of the state’s most consistent winners with 316 victories in 15 seasons, including a 40-26 decision in last year’s meeting.
Matt Veres is working on building a national power in his second season as a varsity head coach.
For two hours Tuesday night, however, their lone focus will be to beat one another. Matchups will be done with that in mind, but wouldn’t it be great to see Notre Dame-GP senior state champion Andrew Cerniglia face returning third-place finisher Matt Arciuolo of Saucon Valley?
Derek Berlitz against Dane Csencsits would be another potential thriller, too.
Regardless, it should be a great atmosphere to start the Colonial League schedule.
Projected lineups (Notre Dame-GP wrestlers listed first)
106: So. Evan Maag (27-13 last year) vs. Ermal Duka (3-2 this year)
113: Fr. Bryson Vaughn vs. Connor Nicholas (3-2)
120: Jr. Josh Bauman (17-13) vs. Travis Riefenstahl (3-1)
126: Jr. Brett Ungar (42-0) vs. Cael Markle (4-2)
132: So. Brandan Chletsos (43-13) vs. Chris Arciuolo (3-1)
138: So. Ryan Crookham (49-2) vs. Jake Jones (4-1)
145: Jr. Tony Morello (17-13) vs. Thomas Spirk (3-2)
152: Fr. Holden Garcia vs. Tyler Pfizenmayer (5-2)
160: Sr. Andrew Cerniglia (45-6) vs. Matt Arciuolo (4-0)
170: So. Derek Berlitz (31-15) vs. Dane Csencsits (3-1)
182: Jr. Jason Sine (did not wrestle) vs. Braydyn Lugardo (3-1)
195: Sr. Eshan Swartz (8-20) vs. Robert Yovish (2-3)
220: Jr. Lex Rivera (DNW) vs. Ramel Moore (0-2)
285: TBA vs. Nick Warnke (4-0)
Referee: Joe McIntyre
The week ahead
A list of this week’s dual meets
Tuesday, Dec. 10
Notre Dame-GP at Saucon Valley
Bangor at Palisades
Catasauqua at Southern Lehigh
Palmerton at Northwestern
Northern Lehigh at Salisbury
Pen Argyl at Wilson
Wednesday, Dec. 11
Parkland at Pleasant Valley
Stroudsburg at ES South
Whitehall at PM East
Easton at ES North
Freedom at PM West
Nazareth at Dieruff
Bethlehem Catholic at Liberty
Emmaus at Northampton
Coatesville at Faith Christian
Jim Thorpe at North Schuylkill
Lehighton at Tamaqua
Panther Valley at Tri-Valley
Pennridge at North Penn
Quakertown at Souderton
Central Catholic at Allen, 8
Thursday, Dec. 12
Southern Lehigh at Palisades
Northern Lehigh at Bangor
Saucon Valley at Catasauqua
Northwestern at Pen Argyl
Salisbury at Wilson
Friday, Dec. 13
PM East at Emmaus, 6:30
Morning Call reporter Tom Housenick can be reached at 610-820-6651 or at thousenick@mcall.com
