Will Grant be dethroned?

Will this be the year Grant is dethroned as the North Suburban Conference wrestling champion?

After winning the past five NSC titles, the seventh-ranked Bulldogs are expected to get a stiff challenge from 10th-ranked Libertyville when the 14-team competition gets under way at 9 a.m. Saturday at Antioch.

The one-day event has quarterfinals scheduled for approximately 10:45 a.m. followed by the semifinals at about 2:30 p.m.

The fifth-place matches are slated for about 4 p.m. with the first and third place matches to start no earlier than 5:30 p.m. on two mats.

The Wildcats finished ahead of Grant at the 32-team Barrington tournament to open the 2007-08 season. Both teams were missing key wrestlers in that meet, and that makes, which makes the league showdown very unpredictable between these two powerful squads.

Lake Division champ Libertyville has numerous elite wrestlers with a shot at a top-five (all-conference) finish Saturday beginning with state-ranked teammates Trey Ayala (135), Matt Bystol (103), and Tom Nield (285).

At 112 pounds, Louis Mazzetta is another highly regarded wrestler for the Wildcats along with teammates Everett Indart at 130, Joey Callen at 152, Logan Miller at 171, and Jake Hogan at 215. Eric Klein (145) is out with a knee injury.

"We're trying to compete hard and get better, but we're not worrying about the team title or about the other teams," said Libertyville coach Dale Eggert. "We lost Eric Klein last weekend with a knee injury, but we have to just stay healthy."

Grant 119-pounder Jason Montemayor is out with a hip injury, but teammate Rocky Bustos should be a solid replacement in that weight class.

The Bulldogs have great depth shooting for top places with undefeated third-ranked Lee Munster leading their surge at 140 pounds.

Izzy Montemayor is a returning state qualifier at 125 with great support expected from teammates Shelby Temple (130), Nick Guenther (135), Tyler Becker (145), Tyler Dempsey (152), Joe Loris (160), Josh Deluca (171), Jake Brown (189), Dave Monroy (215), and Andrew Zapfel (285).

"The key for us is to just be aggressive, wrestle the way we have in the past, and let the chips fall where they may," said Grant coach Ryan Geist, whose team won the Prairie Division. "We'll find out a little bit more about (Libertyville) at the conference tournament and we just want to be competitive and give ourselves a chance to win it."

Lake Division runner-up Mundelein could have the inside track at third place, but the Mustangs are very evenly matched with rival teams Stevenson and Warren.

After reaching state last year, 112-pounder Eduardo Dominguez is having another great season for Mundelein along with teammate Adam Avalos at 189.

The Mustangs will also turn to Tanis Arcos for leadership at 119 or 125 along with Steve Avalos at 171. Mundelein's Alex Mena is another wrestler to watch in the powerful 140-pound class.

"Grant and Libertyville are usually one and two so third place would be a phenomenal finish," said Mundelein coach Tom Buenik. "We've got our work cut out for us and we have to win the close matches."

Stevenson is a dangerous team headed into the meet with 152-pounder Bobby Vagun expected to lead the Patriots' push.

David Lamberti (125) is another key wrestler for the Pats along with teammates Nick Pagano (130), Nathan Millman (140), Taras Martyniouk (145), and Ivan Havrylyan (189).

"If we show up ready to wrestle we have a strong possibility to place in the top three," said Stevenson coach Shane Cook. "Both Grant and Libertyville beat us, and we're just going to have to get out there and wrestle aggressively."

Warren lost close dual meets to Mundelein and Stevenson, but the Blue Devils should be in the mix behind elite 119-pounder Connor Drew's leadership.

Warren will look to Robby Schultheis (103), Justin Santiago (145), Jake Dietmeyer (152), Bryce Howard (160), Tyreese Woodard (189), and Houston Neals (215) to lead the way.

"I think it's going to be a good meet," said Warren coach Mark Tiffany. "Hopefully we have part of a say in who ends up winning it."

Prairie Division runner-up Round Lake will really miss injured wrestlers Ray Bryant (152) and Brandon Cartwright (285), but the Panthers' trio of 103-pounder Jose Jimenez (30-5), 130-pounder Dillon Pousson (31-4), and 215-pounder Vince Nicoline have been outstanding.

Lake Zurich has been without a full lineup all season, but the Bears have strong individuals in Kevin Fanta (125, 130), Anthony Pace (140, 145), and 2007 state qualifier Sam Wrobel (160).

The host Sequiots have the trio of Robby Lyndstrom (130), Bobby Wiatr (145), and Tom Gerstner (160) to set the tone while Vernon Hills' upper weights are tough behind Ryan Michel (171), Bobby Kelly (189), and Steve Hwang (285).

Lakes has a dominant individual in Matt Holmes at 130 while Wauconda teammates Scott Carlson (145) and Brett Collier (171, 189) have been impressive.

• Carmel heads into the East Suburban Catholic Conference meet Friday night at St. Patrick with high hopes.

The Corsairs have great experience behind Ryan Unrein (145) and Ryan Williams (171) while 215-pound sophomore Steve Lester has really shined.

• Grayslake Central and Grayslake North will have their hands full when they head into the Fox Valley Conference meet this weekend at Crystal Lake South.

Senior Ryan Lund is state-ranked for the Rams at 135 with 130-pounder Danny Mendoza providing great leadership for Grayslake North.