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Zach Konetzni (2), seen going up to intercept a pass, is a veritable playmaker on both sides of the ball for Glen Ridge which has superb leader on the sidelines in first-year head coach Chris Strumolo, who has seen senior quarterback Brad Foster (3) come up with a huge season as a first-year signal caller for Ridgers. (Photos by Gene Nann)

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A rigorous schedule has helped prepare Glen Ridge for this point of the season. The Ridgers gave Hanover Park a good run for its money in hard-fought 21-12 setback on Sept. 21, before then defeating an athletic Hoboken squad, 16-6, Sept. 28.

The win vs. Verona came against a playoff semifinal team (in N2G1) directed by last year's Glen Ridge coach Manj Singh, who had guided the Ridgers to their first playoff win in 41 years with last year's road win at second-seeded Waldwick.

Now Strumolo, in his first season at the helm after many other stops in the high school, college and junior football ranks around Essex County, has guided the tiny program that plays its games at the only remaining high school grass field in the county to another strong campaign, and now with the program's second playoff win in 42 years.

"From the moment that I arrived here the kids have been great, they have bonded well with our coaching staff, and we've kept improving, which is great to see," said Strumolo. "Our schedule has definitely prepared us and now we'll go out and give it our best while battling for what we hope is a victory against a very good Butler team."

Glen Ridge will continue to rely on its 1-2 punch of QB Foster and the versatile Konetzni, while the team also has other capable receivers such as Olczck (14 receptions for 279 yards and a TD) and freshman Aiden Kelly (11 receptions for 308 yards and a TD).

Liloia, who doubles as an offensive tackle, helps anchor a solid O-Line for the Ridgers.

Foster is one of the great stories this fall after making the transition from being a terrific receiver for last year's 6-5 squad to become a superb first-year starting QB as a senior (61 of 119 for 1,382 yards, 12 TDs, 3 Int. and 105 carries for 737 yards and 10 TDs).

"Brad is a terrific athlete who has been unbelievable at QB for us," said Strumolo. "He takes care of the ball and has really grown into the position which has been great to see!"

Konetzni is a dual threat in his own right with 138 carries for 951 yards and 8 TDs to go along with 16 receptions for 300 yards and 5 more TDs. He also has seven interceptions on defense.

NOTES- The 50-year-old Strumolo is a 1992 graduate of Nutley where he played for coach Rich SanFillipo, who had also directed Glen Ridge to a playoff title in 1982...Strumolo was a member of coach Al-Tarik White's coaching staff at Weequahic when Indians captured the Central Jersey, Group 2 playoff championship over Raritan at Rutgers Stadium in 2006. He was the head coach at Belleville for three seasons and also an assistant on Julius Montford's staff at Newark Central, and before coming to Glen Ridge had been the line coach on Jim Kelly's staff with the Caldwell University sprint football team. He has also coached with the Caldwell Junior Chiefs. He is a longtime resident of West Caldwell where along with wife Nicole have raised four children, including two boys and two girls.

Sideline Chatter Essex County Top 10:
1-Cedar Grove (10-0)- Panthers' potent offense makes it almsot impossible to outscore them
2-West Orange (8-2)- Mountaineers face a stern test as Piscataway visits Suriano Field
3-West Essex (7-2)- Another potential close battle could be Knights vs. West Morris
4-East Orange Campus (7-2)- Jaguars face intriging test at No. 1 seeded Ridgewood
5-Shabazz (7-2)- Bulldogs arsenal of athletes put on show in naorrow win at Caldwell
6-Verona (7-3)- 'Billies got back on track with defensive-minded win vs. Belvidere
7-Caldwell (4-5)- Chiefs were entertaining team to watch despite tough losses this fall
8-Montclair (4-6)- Mounties faced very tough schedule but didn't win enough in end
9-Seton Hall Prep (2-7)- Speaking of schedules no one has tougher slate than Pirates
10-Irvington (4-4)- Blue Knights lost nailbiter at Bridgewater-Raritan in N2G5

This week's schedule involving Essex teams. Pick to win in boldface:

Friday, Nov. 8:
NJSIAA playoffs, sectional semifinals:

North 1, Group 5:
East Orange Campus at Ridgewood, 6:30
Piscataway at West Orange, 7

North 1, Group 2:
Shabazz at Westwood, 6

North 1, Group 1:
Glen Ridge at Butler, 7

North 2, Group 3:
West Morris at West Essex, 6

North 2, Group 1:
Verona at Cedar Grove, 7

Record on picks last week: 15-3; for the season: 144-31 (82%)

Follow Steve Tober on 'X' @Chattermeister

Glen Ridge first-year head coach Chris Strumolo has a host of weapons to turn to such as versatile RB-WR Zach Konetzni (2) who has accounted for 13 touchdowns in 2024 season.

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