Breaking Down the Class AA State Duals

   The state team tournaments have begun with play-in matches having been wrestled last night, and we're down to 16 teams in each class.
    Here's my quick thoughts on Class AA, and my completed bracket is below that. (I'm no Tony Romo, so don't take this as anything more than a guessing game)

Class AA First Round
   — I think the Hamburg-Greenville match is really close to call and will probably be one of the two closer first round duals along with Saucon Valley-Muncy. I went with Hamburg here, but wouldn't be surprised at all to see Greenville in the quarterfinals.
   — I went with Saucon Valley in the killer #3 vs. #4 (rankings according to PA Power Wrestling) first-round match. Outside of a trip to the finals in 2016 (loss to Brookville), I've thought that Saucon has largely underachieved at the state duals over the years. The Panthers wrestle a strong schedule and are well-coached. This year may be an exception, I look for the D11 champs to be a factor in Hershey.

Class AA Quarterfinals
   — I went again with Saucon Valley in what should be another barnburner for them against Burrell in the Friday afternoon quarters. See my above comments on Saucon Valley.

Finals Rematch?
   — On paper, I think Southern Columbia and Reynolds look to be the most complete teams in the field, so yes, I believe a rematch of last year's championship match will happen. Reynolds usually gets it done on the big stage, but I like Southern Columbia, especially with Gavin Garcia and Cade Linn back in the lineup.

Darkhorse Candidate
   — Notre Dame-Green Pond. The Crusaders came close to beating Saucon Valley for the District 11 title last weekend, then beat Boiling Springs in a Monday play-in to advance into the main bracket. They draw Reynolds on Thursday, which is no easy task. But this is a program on the rise and it has enough firepower to make things interesting with anyone. Of course, that idea brings up the public/private battle with PIAA member schools, as Notre Dame has more than half its lineup from nearby districts. Boiling Springs' coach Rod Wright called Notre Dame GP "Beca Jr." after the play-in match last night, in reference to Bethlehem Catholic.

Local Angle
   — I think Chestnut Ridge got a favorable spot in the bracket. That doesn't mean I think a medal, which would be its fourth in seven years, is a sure thing. But I like the way the Lions' younger kids have wrestled in recent weeks. And getting Mason McVicker back on the roster and Brodie Harbaugh back from injury gives Greg Lazor more options in the upperweights. Chestnut Ridge will probably have to beat some combination of Southern Columbia, Saucon Valley, Muncy, Burrell, and/or Notre Dame GP to get that medal.

My Class AA Bracket
   — Again, take this for what it's worth.