January 6, 2006 6:00am

EASTON 45, PHILLIPSBURG 15
189 -- So. Cory Rutt (16-5), E, d. So. Jeff Hager (1-6), 5-2.
215 -- Fr. Chris Wilson (8-8), E, d. So. Brian Gruhler (3-4), 6-2.
275 -- Jr. Mike Varju (5-8), E, p. So. Jim Tersigni (0-3), 2:52.
103 -- So. Jordan Oliver (20-0), E, tf. Fr. Charlie McGuinness (4-5), 21-4, 3:01.
112 -- Sr. Jon Gregory (7-1), P, d. So. Kegan Handlovic (9-5), 3-2.
119 -- Sr. Russ Souders (18-2), E, d. So. Luke Grassi (5-2), 8-2.
125 -- Jr. Ju-Ju Drummond (13-4), E, p. So. Nick Bullock (3-4), 2:49.
130 -- Sr. Mike Biase (12-5), E, d. Sr. Jon Stillo (7-2), 3-2.
135 -- Fr. Nick Pare (5-4), P, d. Jr. Colin Hershey (0-1), 3-0.
140 -- Sr. Braylin Williams (16-2), E, tf. Jr. Jerry Robbins (3-3), 22-7, 4:16.
145 -- So. Colin Dailey (15-7), E, p. Sr. Nick Simon (5-4), 4:39.
152 -- Sr. Chris Norrell (7-1), P, p. Jr. Jules Knighton (11-8), 4:42.
160 -- Fr. Joe Piro (11-9), E, tf. So. Brian Norrell (5-4), 17-2, 4:10.
171 -- Fr. Matt Santini (2-5), P, d. So. Keenan Walls (0-2), 9-8.

Rovers flex muscles EASTON 45, PHILLIPSBURG 15. Souders helps Red Rovers claim eighth straight in storied series with Stateliners. Friday, January 06, 2006 By MIKE WEILAMANN The Express-Times PALMER TWP. | Russ Souders discovered quickly what it means to be a wrestler in the Easton-Phillipsburg rivalry. And the Red Rover senior helped his new team carry on what's become an annual winning tradition against its archrival. Souders earned an impressive victory at 119 pounds to help Easton post a 45-15 independent win over Phillipsburg on Thursday night before a near-capacity crowd of 1,200 at the 25th Street Gym. Easton (9-1), ranked No. 2 in The Express-Times region, had little trouble in beating its New Jersey rival for the eighth straight year. The Red Rovers, who won 10 of 14 bouts, now lead 56-13 in the all-time series and haven't lost to the Stateliners since a 25-19 setback in 1998 at Lafayette College. Souders (18-2), ranked No. 1 by The Express-Times at 125, worked Stateliner Luke Grassi for an 8-2 decision victory that gave Easton a 20-3 lead through six bouts as the match started at 189. "It's definitely a big rivalry," said Souders, who was a three-time PIAA Class AA medal winner at Wilson before transferring to Easton for his senior season. "It's all my (Easton) teammates have been talking about the whole year. I caught on real quick." Phillipsburg (3-2) fell behind 17-0 early as Easton sophomore Jordan Oliver showcased his tremendous skills in a 21-4 technical fall win over Charlie McGuinness at 103. Oliver (20-0) received the Brad Weaver Memorial Award presented and sponsored by The Express-Times to the meet's outstanding wrestler. He also took home the Easton Lions Club award as the most aggressive wrestler. Though this rivalry has been one-sided for some time, Easton coach Steve Powell said wins in this series are still meaningful. "It's still Easton-Phillipsburg," said Powell, whose team will be back in action at 8 tonight when it hosts Wilson. "There's no need for a pep talk. Regardless of our record or Phillipsburg's record it's still a sellout in our gym." Phillipsburg (3-2) had little to cheer about in this one. Senior Jon Gregory, one of four 'Liners to win, got the visitors on the scoreboard five bouts in with a 3-2 win over Kegan Handlovic in a good matchup at 112. "That's the way it goes," said Stateliners coach Rick Thompson, now 2-13 overall against Easton teams. "We got beat by a better team tonight. That's the way it goes in this sport. The most important thing is how you finish." Souders built an 8-0 lead with a pair of three-point nearfalls with a power half before Grassi turned the tables with a late reversal. "I really didn't wrestle my best," said Souders, a 5-2 winner over Grassi this summer at the Warren County Fair. "Being my first time down at 119 I felt a little sick. Now that I'm down it should be a little bit easier." Ju-Ju Drummond followed with a pin at 125 before Mike Biase extended Easton's lead to 29-3 with a 3-2 win over Jon Stillo at 130. P'burg freshman Nick Pare won 3-0 over Colin Hershey at 135 before Braylin Williams sealed the win -- racking up eight takedowns in a 22-7 technical fall win at 140. Chris Norrell (152) and Matt Santini (171) helped the Stateliners take two of the final three bouts. Mike Weilamann can be reached at 800-360-3601 or by e-mail at mweilamann@express-times.com