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Ridgewood Football remains undefeated

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Ridgewood Football remains undefeated

OCTOBER 3, 2014    LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2014, 1:21 AM
BY JIM MCCONVILLE
SPECIAL TO THE RECORD
THE RECORD
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RIDGEWOOD – You can just see Mitch Campbell’s eyes light up when he knows that a pass play has been called. The senior running back has been a revelation in Ridgewood’s passing game, and on Thursday night he had the big plays.

Campbell hauled in five passes for 141 yards and a touchdown, and it was his work in the first quarter that helped set the tone for Ridgewood, which remained undefeated.

Ridgewood recorded a second straight shutout, 35-0 over Kennedy, and continued its early season offensive show. It marked the 63rd time in coach Chuck Johnson’s 31 seasons that his team has recorded a shutout.

While the defense was not spectacular, Ridgewood (4-0) did produce three turnovers on fumbles, and for the second time this season stopped a team on a fourth-and-goal at the 1-yard line. Sophomore inside linebacker James Mondi, in his second varsity start, had 12 tackles and a forced fumble.

The offense did its job early, taking the opening kickoff and scoring on six plays covering 57 yards. Campbell had catches of 18 and 17 yards to set up sophomore Drew Granski’s 2-yard touchdown.

“It all starts with the offensive line,” Campbell said. “They’ve done a great job of pass blocking all year and [senior quarterback Matt] Donovan is putting it right there. All I have to do is run under it.”

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/sports/high-school-sports/football/maroons-keep-perfect-record-1.1101796#sthash.6P6Yy3YH.dpuf

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Football Preview: Ridgewood welcomes host of new faces

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Football Preview: Ridgewood welcomes host of new faces

September 5, 2014    Last updated: Friday, September 5, 2014, 12:31 AM
By JIM MCCONVILLE
CORRESPONDENT

RIDGEWOOD – What a difference a year makes.

Last season, the Ridgewood High School football team was built for the now, with 31 seniors and expectations of reaching the North 1, Group 5 championship game, which it did.

This season, the Maroons are building toward an uncertain future.

Not only did the bulk of their starters graduate, but four assistant coaches elected not to return, including the offensive and defensive coordinators and the line coach. In their place are a couple of old returning faces in Jim Stroker and Mark Aramburu, plus a group of younger coaches.

“We are green as the grass,” RHS head coach Chuck Johnson said. “There are a lot of unknowns, but it has really been fun so far, and I’m excited to see where this goes.”

The first Maroon victory this season will be the 200th of Johnson’s 31-year career at Ridgewood (he has 35 more wins from his six seasons at Bogota from 1978-83), but milestones are taking a back seat to player development.

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/sports/high-school-sports/football/ridgewood-welcomes-host-of-new-faces-1.1081515#sthash.3eycR1G6.dpuf