Southern's String of Lower Weights Dominate to Hand Jackson Township First Loss

Undefeated records were always going to collide with intensity on Wednesday night, and that’s exactly what unfolded when Southern made the trip to face Jackson Township. Jackson entered the night riding a 13–0 start and fresh off its biggest win of the season over defending Group 2 champion Rumson. Southern arrived with its own résumé, unbeaten, battle-tested, and firmly planted inside the state’s top ten.

What separated the two programs wasn’t emotion or energy, but experience and sustained pressure.

The dual opened with Jackson landing the first punch at 157, but Southern quickly settled in and began to dictate the flow of the match. From the upper weights through the heart of the lineup, the Rams stacked quality wins and bonus points, forcing Jackson to constantly wrestle uphill. Major decisions from Vincent Esposito and Attila Vigilante, along with pins and technical falls throughout the middle weights, slowly stretched the margin and took the crowd out of rhythm.

Southern’s ability to score in bunches became the story. Jonas Lusker, Nick Banos, Cade Collins, and Anthony Mason all delivered technical falls in succession, turning what had been a competitive dual into one where momentum clearly lived on the visitor’s side. Each match felt connected, with Southern feeding off the pace and composure of the previous bout.

The defining moment came at 132 pounds. With Jackson still searching for a path back into the dual, Dion Mesanko stepped onto the mat and wrestled a controlled, physical bout, earning a 10–4 decision that effectively put the match out of reach. It wasn’t a flashy finish, but it was a veteran performance, one that reflected Southern’s comfort in high-level environments.

Jackson showed flashes of why it had been unbeaten, picking up wins late and battling hard through the upper weights, but Southern never allowed a true swing. The Rams closed the night the same way they opened it: disciplined, aggressive, and confident in their system.

When the final whistle sounded, Southern walked out with a 43–19 win, handing Jackson Township its first loss of the season and reinforcing why the Rams remain one of the most reliable lineups in the Shore Conference. Against a team built on momentum and belief, Southern relied on depth, bonus points, and experience.