State of the Program: Ridgefield Park football putting the puzzle pieces together

Ridgefield Park football fans must prepare to cheer for “The Misfits from The Pit” in 2023.

The Scarlets received the nickname from fourth-year coach Chris Rapp, who has gone so far as to decorate the locker room with the logo of the early-’80s punk rock band, the Misfits.

Currently, there are only 32 players in the program, and many of the starters from last season’s state-playoff squad have graduated. Their home field remains The Pit, located at the bottom of the ridge for which their village is named, so the rhyme fits.

The coaching staff’s summer project is to fit together all the newcomers.

“I saw all these kids who were just a bunch of individuals that aren’t used to playing on varsity,” Rapp said. “So, the whole goal is to develop them on and off the field to become a team of young men. It’s happening. Week by week this summer, I see it happening, and they’re playing for each other.”

The school draws students from Ridgefield Park and neighboring Little Ferry, and youth participation in both towns has declined somewhat in recent years.

The way Rapp sees it, those who have made it to the Scarlets’ varsity possess the perseverance he values.

“I was telling them, there’s a reason why we only have 32 kids – because they’re toughest kids in these towns,” he said. “It’s hard to just play football, so I always tell the kids I’m proud of them for making that commitment.”

The tradition

Ridgefield Park is on a two-year streak of reaching the playoffs after going three years without (including the 2020 COVID campaign). Two years ago, the Scarlets went 8-3 and reached the North 2, Group 2 semifinals, and last fall, they ended 4-5 after falling in the first round.

The titles they’ve won have come in bunches. Ridgefield Park repeated in North 1, Group 3 in 1975-76, posting 10-0-1 records both seasons, and enjoyed back-to-back 11-0 records with North 1, Group 2 championships in 1995-96.

The program’s winningest coaches are still Tony Gonzalez (161-88-2 from 1989-2013) − who mentored Rapp during the 2006 grad's playing career − and Carl Biggs (103-27-15 from 1926-39), who died of leukemia at age 43 in April 1940.

STATE OF THE PROGRAM: Inside look at every HS football team in North Jersey

The challenge

Replacing a four-year starter at quarterback is the most obvious obstacle to overcome. Brevin Cooney, who accounted for 2,265 yards and 26 touchdowns with his passing and rushing combined last season, is now at Montclair State.

However, the door is open for another player to take hold of the job for more than one season. Sophomore Francisco Then steps in behind center having played a handful of varsity games at safety as a freshman.

“Great leader already… good arm, very good runner, too,” Rapp said of his new signal-caller. “Last year, he did very well in javelin, so he’s a three-sport athlete, which is awesome. We’re really stressing that in Ridgefield Park, with not as many athletes as we used to have when I was growing up playing here.”

Expectations

On paper, Ridgefield Park appears headed for a typical rebuilding season. Expectations within the program are higher, based on the legacy left by the previous two senior classes.

“They set a standard of working hard, being disciplined and just doing the right things on and off the field,” Rapp said. “And it’s cool to see these new guys stepping up and just getting right up to that standard. I thought there was going to be a bigger drop-off, but the culture just seems to be in a good spot.”

Even if a bunch of “Misfits” are the ones carrying on the tradition.

“We have some great senior leadership, so I really just want to see them play together and be in the right spots at the right times,” Rapp said. “I really do think that one could surprise some people.”

2023 schedule

Sept. 1: at Demarest

Sept. 8: vs. Snyder (Jersey City)

Sept. 14: vs. Mahwah

Sept. 22: at Ramsey

Sept. 29: at Tenafly, Geissinger Field

Oct. 6: vs. Roselle

Oct. 13: vs. Dumont

Oct. 20: at Westwood

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Ridgefield Park NJ football putting the puzzle pieces together