The Advance of Bucks County

Pennsbury stopped by Downingtow­n East

- By Rick Fortenbaug­h

FAIRLESS HILLS — Downingtow­n East wrestling coach Joe Horvath insists his team is not some kind of rising force in District 1, but his Cougars sure did a number on Pennsbury last week.

Although Pennsbury had one wrestler miss weight and was missing at least one starter in the upperweigh­ts, the bottom line is Downingtow­n East put way too many )DlFRns flDW Rn WKHLU EDFNs Ln a 44-21 romp Jan. 3 here on Hood Boulevard.

As a result, Downington East is now an impressive 12-1 while Pennsbury dropped to 5-2. The only loss for Downingtow­n East came early in a one-point setback to Biglervill­e, a traditiona­lly pretty strong squad out of the Gettysburg area.

“No,” replied Horvath when asked if his team is an emerging powerhouse. “We’re just a bunch of guys with a passion for wrestling. We don’t have any stars, but we do have a bunch of kids who love the sport and work very hard.

“Absolutely; this is a good win for us. Pennsbury always has a team with talent. I’m very pleased.”

Such was not the case on the opposite bench for a Pennsbury team that looked like it spent too much time at the dinner table or on the couch during the holiday break.

“They really exposed our holes,” said Pennsbury coach Phil Kealey. “And even our better guys did not wrestle well. I’m not happy.”

Downingtow­n East started fast on an 11-second pin by heavyweigh­t Sean Snodgrass. Pennsbury’s strength is down below and the Falcons were able to come back for a 15-11 lead on a pin by standout 126-pounder Josh DiSanto along with decisions from Eric Mongiellio, Jason Bing and Anthony DiEmedio.

Although he lost to one of Pennsbury’s big guns in DiEmedio, Downingtow­n’s T.J. Nelson did a great job by keeping the score to 4-3 and had the Falcon wrestler Rn WKH Uun Ln WKH finDl 20 sHFonds.

It was at this point that Pennsbury started running out of bullets. Following a Falcon forfeit at 138, the Cougars got pins from Matt Fischer (145), Alex Wait (152)), Adam Pleines (195) DnG MDWW BDUWRlRWWD (220). James Meyer also did a nice job in a tight loss to PennsEuUy’s 5yDn HHDlHy DW 160 pounds.

Pennsbury’s returned to action Saturday, Jan. 5 in the Jack Callender Memorial Rockyard Duals at Council Rock North. Facing four New Jersey rivals, the Falcons got back on track with dual meet wins over Lower CDSH MDy (38-30), 6W. Augustine Prep (38-31), Williamsto­wn (55-18) and Absegami (45-27).

***

 ?? Trentonian Photo/ Gregg Slaboda ?? Pennsbury`s Eric Mongiello (top) controls Downingtow­n East`s Jude McDowell in the 106-pound matchup.
Trentonian Photo/ Gregg Slaboda Pennsbury`s Eric Mongiello (top) controls Downingtow­n East`s Jude McDowell in the 106-pound matchup.

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