A Mahopac parent alerted me that this match has been cancelled.

I was still in field hockey mode, preparing for the state final four when I received a post from my favorite Fox Lane Parent calling me out to make predictions. Man, he didn’t even wait for field hockey season to end. Fox Lane Parent, you’re the best. (How is your son doing in his first year of college?)

Here we go with team thoughts. (I don’t know the certifications yet so I can’t give you any individual input.)

Division I

1. Mahopac The Indians are still the team to beat and will have three finalists in seniors Dominick Oddo and Peter Caruso, and sophomore Justis Flamio.

2. John Jay Here come the Indians, who lost sectional champion Kyle Friedman and sectional finalist Greg Scott to graduation. Coach Bill Swertfager has the following sectional placefinishers back: Henry Stauber, Matt Barbo, Billy Watterson and Jake Genovesi. Swertfager also welcomes back son John, who missed last season with an injury.

3. Fox Lane The Foxes went undefeated last season and were tournament heavyweights. They return Luke Speno and Joey Grippi, two sure sectional finalists, as well as Steven Rodrigues, Peter Grippi and Hunter Rainford. Fox Lane will miss the fiery Harrison Cook, who graduated.

4. Carmel The Rams also went undefeated last season. It’s too bad Carmel and Fox Lane did not have a match. It would have been a packed gym and televised on pay-per-view. Coaches Bill Twardy, Kim Tompkins and Seth Harrison lost a deep senior class to graduation, but do have finalist Mike Rose returning along with placefinishers Doug Chiapperino and Kevin Davidson.

5. New Rochelle I hope coach Jim Guccione doesn’t read this blog because if he does, he is going to rip me for putting his Huguenots fifth. Sorry Gooch, but with sectional third-place finisher Egypt Burrows, fourth-place finisher Tom Antonioli and Danny Zimon back, along with a talented group of underclassmen who were starters, you’re team deserves this spot.

The next five: Ossining, North Rockland, Suffern, Port Chester and Somers.

Honorable mention: Harrison, Clarkstown North and White Plains.

Division II

1. NanuetThe defending champions are a veteran crew, highlighted by a deep senior class. This group is led by Bill Smith, Dan Cohen, defending 275-pound champion Max Nau, Nick Mertens and Kevin Chee.

2. Ardsley The Panthers begin a new chapter, without coach Pete Vulpone, who was unceremoniously dismissed last summer. Enter former Ossining coach Joe Sayers, who inherits defending 119-pound sectional champion Danny Manley, 103-pound sectional titlits Penn Gottfried and third-place finisher Derrick Longo.

3. Westlake The Wildcats return four sectional placefinishers in Scott Rogener, Will Carter, Adam Bello and Empire State Games participant, Ed Mezger.

To my friend, the Fox Lane Parent, I expect a critique please. Just be polite.

Driving home from state final four field hockey two weeks ago I was bummed because the field hockey season was officially over. Rye won a state title and Lakeland reached the state final.

I love covering field hockey because Section 1 can boast of some of the best players and teams in the state. Even though I will miss field hockey, it is time for cradles, the Fireman’s carry, ankle picks, arm bars and pins. Yes, welcome back wrestling!

And, for all of the wrestlers, coaches, officials and parents, I am sorry to say you will be seeing my clean-shaven head and scary face at matches, tournaments and on this blog. If there is anyone who has had enough of me and would like to see a change, speak now or forever hold your peace. (where have we heard this refrain before?) Or, if you would like me to change my blog picture to a cheery one, or maybe a caricature of me with a full head of hair, that would work.

According to the Section 1 schedule, the season officially opens with three-time defending Division I sectional champion Mahopac hosting Hen Hud at 6 p.m. If you get a chance, take a ride. This is the final year to watch three-time sectional champion and Mahopac senior Dominick Oddo wrestle. Oddo is a man among boys and he will not be challenged in Section 1.

Saturday begins the tournament portion of the season with the Tony Carlucci at Port Chester and the Bernie Miller Invitational at Rye. Port Chester coach Greg Domestico and Rye coach Matt Beckley always do a great job running their respective tournaments. I have to give a shout out to Drew Cicoria also. The former Port Chester wrestling and football coach is the resident mathematician at the Carlucci. He handles all of the scoring and does so with precision. Cicoria doesn’t need a calculator to tabulate the results. Everything is done in his head.

Defending champion Port Chester headlines the field which also includes Harrison; Nyack;
Salesian; Beacon; Eastchester; Mamaroneck (which will hold the Mamaroneck Tiger tournament next Saturday); Iona Prep; Hendrick Hudson; Rye Country Day School; Horace Greeley; Westlake and Macintosh (Ga.), coached by one-time Port Chester football and wrestling standout, Nick Bellantoni.

Wrestling kicks off at 9:30 and the finals are scheduled for around 5:30 p.m. Greg, I want to know one thing, Will my friend Maria Facciola be cooking for this event? I can anticipate the smell of her delicious Italian cuisine permeating through the halls, into the gym and the parking lot. If Maria’s not catering, I’m not coming. (Just kidding Greg.)

Former Ardsley great Gregg Cuilty brings defending champion Horace Mann to Rye. Joining Horace Mann will be Collegiate; Croton; Hackley; Haldane; Hastings; Irvington; Pleasantville;
Scarsdale; Brewster; John Jay (Varsity B) and North Salem (one wrestler).

Wrestling will commence at 9:30 with the finals slated for between 5-5:30 p.m.

Along with the Carlucci and Miller, Suffern coach Chris Matteotti and assistant/new father Carmine Squeglia will take the Mounties to MacArthur (Section 8). First-year Ossining coach Larry McRae is bypassing the Carlucci this year, instead he is taking 2007 Division 1 145-pound sectional James Brundage and the guys to Wantagh (L.I.) for a tournament. Even though I have not spoke to him yet, I know New Rochelle coach Jim Guccione and assistant coach Paul Williams take the Huguenots to Long Island on tournament-opening weekend.

I have said enough. To all of the wrestlers, teams, coaches and parents, have a great season and I will be seeing you along the way.

I see the season has not even started yet and already I am getting blasted by an individual who posted as Does This Site Work, or shall I say Jim520.

Well wrestling fans, as soon as I get a chance to contact coaches I can find out where the elite wrestlers are certified. However, I don’t expect coaches to be tipping their hands this soon.