Fobes' sudden-death OT win sparks Howell
Rebels rally to beat Ocean
BY TIM MORRIS
Staff Writer

Above, Howell's Justin Morello celebrates his win over Ocean's Billy Knifel at 130 pounds during the Rebels' victory over the host Spartans on Jan. 10. Below, Howell's Mike Bonfig works on Ocean's Ted Konopka during their heavyweight bout.

In a match where every point bore significance, it was a point not surrendered that fueled Howell's 36-22 victory over Ocean Township in a clash of state-ranked powers on Jan. 10.

With Howell trailing 19-10, undefeated Cody Fobes took the mat against a Spartan wrestler, Zac Coulas, equally undefeated and ranked No. 7 in the state, for the match of the night at 125 pounds.

Fobes said he and Coulas have been wrestling since middle school days and he'd never gotten the best of the Spartan before. But on this night, Fobes would mount a stirring comeback and then beat Coulas in sudden death overtime by riding him out for the final 30 seconds for an 8-7 decision. The victory turned the match around as Howell outscored the Spartans 26-3 down the stretch to register yet another quality win this winter.

PHOTOS BY JEFFGRANIT staff

"Everything changed after Cody's match," said Rebel coach John Gagliano.

Justin Morello was warming up for his 130-pound match as Fobes stunned Coulas and the Spartan faithful with his exhilarating victory.

"Everybody had Cody ruled out," said Morello. "It (the win) definitely sparked us. I said 'this is where it starts up.' You could feel the momentum kick in."

Morello turned the momentum into a tidal wave following Fobes win with a pin and Howell, which had trailed from the outset, had finally caught the Spartans at 19-19.

Ocean had one last gasp and that was state place-winner Andrew Van Dyk. He won a 10-0 major decision at 135 over the Rebels' Ryan Richardson. Van Dyk took exception to the battle that Richardson put up and stepped on his arm after the match. He cost the Spartans a team point. His outburst was the sign of a team becoming frustrated.

Fobes, however, had opened up the floodgates and there was no stopping it. Jimmy Bohn relentlessly worked over the Spartans' Mike Recchia until he got a fall at 5:42. Howell was now leading for the first time, 25-22.

Tom Tuminelli, one of the senior Rebels' tri-captains with Morello and Bohn, was next, and he had the opportunity to do what every wrestler thrives on, win the match for his team. He delivered, pinning Yasset Figueroa in 3:03 to build an insurmountable 30-22 with one match remaining.

Joe Russo's technical fall (19-4) polished the win for Howell, now 12-0 on the season.

Fobes' dramatic win over Coulas was what is good about high school wrestling - drawing praises from opponents, coaching and the fans. Fobes said that he knew his match with Coulas would be key for Howell.

"If I win this, I thought, we've got a great chance of winning," he said. "There was so much adrenaline going.

"I wrestled him kind of the same," he added. "I kept it close this time. My goal was not to give up takedowns. We know each other so well."

Fobes said he tried to change things up subtly with a few new wrinkles, but said his reversals didn't hurt.

Coulas led 3-0 in the second period when Fobes got a takedown and back points for a 4-3 lead. The two standouts would end regulation tied at 5-5 after a third period takedown by the Spartan tied it. It stayed that way through the first overtime. Coulas scored an escape in the second OT to grab a 6-5 lead. If he could ride Fobes out for the 30 seconds in the third overtime it was his match. But Fobes was able to score a reversal in the final 10 seconds to grab a 7-6 lead that lasted for only a couple of seconds. Coulas managed to get an escape to tie the match again, 7-7.

Sudden death overtime followed with Coulas choosing the bottom. Fobes would have to hold the Spartan for 30 seconds to win it.

"The last 30 seconds were extremely long," said Fobes.

With time winding down, Coulas had gotten up but, Fobes was holding onto his leg for dear life for what seemed an eternity. Coulas could not free his leg up as the period ended and Fobes had one of the most satisfying wins of his career.

"It's probably one of the best ones," he said.

Not just for himself, he added, but because of the impact it had on the team.

Ocean was a team on a mission at home. Last year, the Spartans lost at Howell and with it, went the A North Division title.

Although in different divisions this winter (Ocean is down in B North), this match was important for state rankings, state power points, Shore Conference Tournament seeding and the top ranking in Monmouth County.

The match started at 160, playing into Ocean's strength. Joe Falco earned a 3-0 decision over Jason Ecklof in a battle of premier wrestlers.

The Spartans' Kyle Kiss, a returning state place-winner, made it 9-0 with his pin at 171.

Harry Turner got Howell on the scoreboard with an 8-0 major decision. Ocean's Joe Pemberton won a decision at 215. Mike Bonfig responded with a 5-4 decision at heavyweight and it was 12-7 Ocean.

The Spartans extended the lead to 15-7 on Mike LeCompte's decision. Joey Langel matched that for Howell with a decision at 112.

A major decision by J.P. Palandrano added a point to the lead and it was 19-10 with Coulas up next.

Ocean was looking to seize control when Fobes turned the tables. Once the Rebels moved into the heart of their order, it was over.

While Jackson (No. 1) and Southern Regional (No. 2) are deservedly getting all the state attention in the Shore, Howell has been flying under the radar screen despite its 12-0 record. The Rebels have beaten two established powerhouse in Phillipsburg and Hunterdon Central, and have now taken down Ocean.

The win over Ocean came less than 24 hours after winning a big A North match with Christian Brothers Academy, 44-12.

The Rebels are less concerned about where they are ranked and more concerned about reaching their full potential.

"We're only going to be as good as we push ourselves to be," said Morello. "We took a look back at everything we did last year. I watched film of every match I wrestled. We're always trying to improve."

Tuminelli echoed Morello, saying that the Rebels are never satisfied.