Nicco Capaldo, with a 4-0 decision over Maksim Marrero at 150, Andrew Fonseca, with a 23-5 technical fall (in 5:25) vs. Kevin Rafferty at 157; Ben Lattimer with a pin of David Lopes in just 36 seconds at 165; and Jake Simone’s hard-fought 10-9 decision over Brandon Papa at 175 widened the Chiefs’ lead to 43-18.

“Very important stretch to seal the match,” added Romano. “We drop one of those matches and it could be a different outcome.

“But, each of those guys fed off each other. One big win after the next. Rocco Conforti was down 6-1 before rallying back, taking the lead and getting the fall.

“That sent the gym off and we carried that momentum from there.”

SHP’s Clark Rich ended the night registering a fall at 190 yet the outcome as far as the team decision was already well in hand for Caldwell with its 43-24 victory.

The work will continue in their wrestling room for the Chiefs, and the high caliber of the slate of foes still ahead will not wane at all beginning with a big independent match at Old Bridge on Monday night and then the always. much-anticipated showdown with Wessex next Friday as fans from all the Caldwells, including the red and black-clad Knights fans from the North Caldwell regional school, will help fill the Chiefs’ gym in West Caldwell.

“Our schedule is tough for sure, but we put it together because we think we have a tough team,” said Romano. “We can’t look ahead for any one match.

“Our kids have done an excellent job of being present in the moment and taking it one match at a time. We have to stay in that mindset.”

SEC-American Division match, Friday, Jan. 10 in West Caldwell:
Caldwell (7-0, 2-0) 43 Seton Hall Prep (3-4, 1-1) 24
215- Rocco Salerno, SHP, forfeit, (6-0)
285- Michael Mignone, Cald, pin Lorenzo Palescandolo, 1:08, (6-6)
106- Matthew Ruane, Cald, pin Preston Nitche, 3:23 (6-12)
113- Carmine Sipper, Cald, MD, 11-2, Joseph Viola (6-16)
120- Anthony Pellegrino, SHP, MD, 14-1, Yankee Mabee (10-16)
126- Andre Moreno, SHP, Tech fall, 21-6, KJ Lissenden (15-16)
132- Anthony Barrett, Cald, MD, 14-2, Michael Pocius (15-20)
138- Tyler Yildiz, SHP, 8-6 dec., Solomon Soriente (18-20)
144- Rocco Conforti, Cald, pin Lucas Campos, 3:32 (18-26)
150- Nicco Capaldo, Cald, 4-0 dec., Maksim Marrero (18-29)
157- Andrew Fonseca, Cald, Tech fall, 23-5, Kevin Rafferty (18-34)
165- Ben Lattimer, Cald, pin David Lopes, 0:36 (18-40)
175- Jake Simone, Cald, 10-9 dec., Brandon Papa (18-43)
190- Clark Rich, SHP, pin Nick Mignone, 3:20 (24-43)