RallyNorth.net

METHUEN — When finally given the chance, junior Matt Cabezas and senior Dan O'Connell delivered big time Saturday afternoon at the Division 1 North sectional.

Thwarted by injuries for two straight years, and knocked out Wednesday from a blow in his match against Central, O'Connell delivered a convincing 9-3 decision over Westford's Jake Morash for the 182-pound title.

Haverhill took top honors in the Hillie Duals, winning four straight meets before taking the championship when Brookline oddly forfeited in the finals. Jake Nicolosi (138), Sam Prescott (152), Isaiah Delossantos (160) and heavyweight jay Levy were all 5-0 on the day.

PLAISTOW — There was, once again, little drama Saturday at the Timberlane Invitational.

The Owls won their own tournament for the seventh straight year and 28th time in 30 years, and in resounding fashion, finishing with 264 points, far ahead of runner-up Southington, Conn. (161.5). Haverhill (114) was fourth and the Timberlane B team was 10th in the 19-team field.

Trailing 30-6, Methuen won seven straight matches to remain unbeaten (14-0), defeating Haverhill 45-30. Joe Gangi, Bryce Smith, Travis Manick, Erick Lucas and Femi Marquis all had first period pins during the run for the Rangers.

Rapidly improving Haverhill heavyweight Jay Levy had a convincing 8-4 decision over Payton Heditke to highlight Haverhill's 43-24 victory over Andover. Jake Nicolosi also had a key 8-4 decision over Kevin Kiely at 138 for the Hillies (10-2). Matt Meagher had a key decision at 170 for Andover.

Haverhill finished third at the Natick duals, winning four straight duals before falling to the host team 51-31 in a meet much closer than the score indicates.

Steven Wise (132), Nick Tejada (145), Sam Prescott (152) and heavyweight Jay Levy were all 5-0 and Ronald Fuller was an impressive 4-1 in a tough 120-pound weight class. The Hillies improved to 9-2 on the year.

Sam Prescott won an impressive 10-5 decision at 152 over Tewksbury's Brady Hiltz, who placed at the Lowell Holiday Tournament, to help Haverhill win its match. It was Prescott's second vicory over Hiltz this season.

LOWELL — Timberlane placed seven wrestlers in today's quarterfinals at the 76-team George Bossi Lowell Holiday Tournament and is in a dogfight for first place with defending champion Mount Anthony, followed closely by Chelmsford.

Nick Tejada had a key 11-5 decision over North Andover's Eli Tuttle to pace Haverhill to a 43-30 victory which, according to coach Tim Lawlor, is probably the first time the Hillies have ever beat the Knights. Dryden Fisher (106), Ronald Fuller (120), Steven Wise (132) and heavyweight Jay Levy all had pins in the first minute for Haverhill, now 4-1. 

Nick Tejada had a big pin with three seconds left at 145 but it wasn't enough as Haverhill dropped a 46-36 decision to a strong Chelmsford team.