As reported two weeks ago in The SandPaper, it was quite predictable that the Southern Regional High School wrestling team would emerge as the South Jersey Group IV champions this winter. After all, the Rams had been sectional champs seven out of the last eight years, including the past two.

The question was if Southern could advance beyond that level, earning a berth in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association state title match, as did coach John Stout’s squads in 2006, 2007…