Rovers hold off feisty Blue Eagles
EASTON 35, NAZARETH 27.
A split-second from disaster, Rizzolino gets the most crucial win.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
By MICHAEL BLOUSE
The Express-Times

FORKS TWP. | Joey Rizzolino's freshman year objective as an Easton Red Rover wrestler was maybe a bit modest.

"To be honest, I was hoping to compete well in our eliminations and just make the varsity team," Wednesday night's shining star said with a surprisingly serious look etched onto his 14-year-old face.

Rizzolino earned his varsity letter with a stunning and spectacular 8-7 decision in Easton Area High School's down-to-the-wire 35-27 win over underdog rival Nazareth before a loud crowd of about 2,000 at Shawnee Middle School.

Senior Kegan Handlovic, matched up against Blue Eagles freshman Franco Ferraina at 119 pounds after coach Dave Crowell juggled his lineup to open the Lehigh Valley Conference meet, capped the evening with a match-clinching pin in 3:36.

Rizzolino's win, though, was an almost "must-win" with Nazareth ahead 27-26.

"Riz" spent uncomfortably long portions staring at Shawnee's ceiling during his 112-pound bout with experienced Blue Eagles junior Greg Flamisch.

He, in fact, came within a split-second of being pinned. Referee Jim Milot appeared poised to slap the mat, and secure the win for Nazareth, at one tense point in the second period. But Rizzolino was full of fight.

Flamisch, full of confidence coming off Monday's 9-4 decision over Pleasant Valley's Jordan Toledo, who twice beat Rizzolino, led 7-6 after two eventful periods and maintained that advantage into the final 45 seconds. "Riz" got a good grasp of Flamisch's head at the 40-second mark, and scored the decisive reversal with 30 seconds left.

Easton's promising 112-pounder with a 15-5 record then held on.

"It was fun when I won," Rizzolino said. "There were a couple close calls and I was trying to fight off my back. Then in the third period I was holding his head and trying for the fall. But we came close to going out of bounds so I took the reversal.

 "It seemed like it was exciting but I was concentrating. I didn't want to lose the match."

"Joey Rizzolino," Easton coach Steve Powell said, "is wide open and fun to watch. You never complain about a wrestler who is wide open. He's easy to teach and he'll improve on some things as the season progresses."

Crowell, even in defeat, was thrilled with Flamisch and every member of the Blue Eagles team.

"Our kids came to wrestle," the longtime coach said. "I'm very proud of the way we performed.

"What an outstanding match at 112. I could watch 14 of those but I might pass out. I'd like to think the fans were entertained with that one. Greg is a kid who didn't have a winning record last season and missed time this season with an injury. He's come a long way. The way they wrestled that one, it was just go at it and see what happens."

Blue Eagles sophomore Tyler Torcivia also drew the praise of Crowell. Torcivia upset Easton senior Tevin Gibson, 6-5, at 140.

Other key Nazareth wins were a major decision at 130 by freshman Ryan Krecker and a decision by senior Pat Murphy at 285. Zach Horan, a freshman with a 24-3 record, and Steve Searfoss won by fall.

Pinners for Easton were Handlovic, 152-pounder Colin Dailey and 160-pounder Jeremy Snyder.

Red Rovers senior Jordan Oliver bumped up to 135 and majored Colin Fischl 16-8. The Oklahoma State-bound Oliver improved to 18-0 this season and 154-5 for his career.

Wednesday night's match was surprisingly close from start to finish, and it's one that won't soon be forgotten.

"You look and think maybe we're not too far away and see where maybe you can close the gap," Crowell said of a possible rematch at the District 11 Duals. "I'm hoping the guys are, too."

"You couldn't beat this for entertainment," Powell said.

Michael Blouse can be reached at 800-360-3601 or by e-mail at mblouse@express-times.com.