State Dual Team Predictions and Updated State Rankings
The 2016 PIAA State Dual Team Tournament will kick-off tonight with play-in matches taking place all over Pennsylvania.
Updated State Dual Team Rankings have been published and there was very little changes made. In Class AA undefeated #1 Brookville Area remains at the top and will be in search of their second PIAA State Dual Team Championship since winning the inauguration Championship in 1999 when the PIAA State Dual Team Championship made it’s debut. It is likely that #1 Brookville will have to get through #2 Reynolds in the semifinals where it is commonplace for the top two teams to meet instead of the Championship finals. #1 Brookville defeated #2 Reynolds in the Ultimate Duals final (36-20).
On the bottom half there are a cluster of capable teams who will do battle but when the dust settles I predict #4 Saucon Valley makes an appearance in the PIAA State Finals. Last season the Panthers made a strong run at the PIAA State Tournament coming just one win short of a top four finish. With basically the same team returning I think 2016 is the year that head coach Chad Shirk earns PIAA State Dual Team hardware. It won’t be an easy road as #3 Chestnut Ridge is one of the most talented programs in the Tournament and is hoping to return to their second straight PIAA State Dual Team Finals. A season ago they were the runner-ups to Boiling Springs. #5 Wyalusing Valley is also on the bottom half, winning their second straight District 4 Championship this season, and is looking to improve on their 2015 fourth place finish at the PIAA State Dual Team Tournament.
Check out the Updated State AA Dual Team Rankings by clicking here!
View the predicted Class AA PIAA State Dual Team Tournament Bracket below!
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Unlike the Class AA Dual Team Tournament Class AAA is a little more clear. #1 Bethlehem Catholic is the clear favorite but, just as in 2015, will likely have to get by their toughest opponent in the semifinals (you can listen to last week’s podcast below where I vent about this issue.) After dominating the District XI Dual Team Tournament they sit on the bottom half with WPIAL Team Champions #2 Belle Vernon Area who have a line-up filled with Pennsylvania Wrestling stars.
On the top half of the bracket five of the top ten ranked teams in the State will fight for a spot in the PIAA State Finals. Leading the way is #3 Boyertown Area that enters with an undefeated season record and is the favorite to face BECA in the State Finals. They own a regular season win over #5 Cumberland Valley (33-31) where they were without #2 Jakob Campbell at 113 lbs. The most intriguing match-up on the top half, in my opinion, has to be #5 Cumberland Valley vs. #9 Kiski Area. The Kiski Cavaliers were upset in the WPIAL semifinals by Canon McMillan but are looking to made a strong statement in Hershey. Cumberland Valley on the other hand is coming of the most controversial wins in school history that gained National attention. Kiski is strong down low and up high whereas Cumberland Valley is most solid throughout the middle on the line-up. It has all the making for a classic dual meet. Whether Cumberland Valley senior #13 Trent Cook competes or not will be a big factor.
Another dangerous team is District XI Runner-up #4 Nazareth Area who will be competing in a play-in match tonight against #21 Cedar Cliff. The Blue Eagles could make a strong run in Hershey and find themselves in the top four for the second time in four years.
Check out the Updated State AAA Dual Team Rankings by clicking here!
View the predicted Class AA PIAA State Dual Team Tournament Bracket below!
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