Returning Contributors: The Ridgewood Maroons’ Skills & Line

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dating back to 2015, the Ridgewood Maroons have had an incredibly consistent, high achieving program program having records of 7-3, 7-3, 10-1, 9-3, 8-3, 12-0, and 9-3 with annual trips to the playoffs and several sectional championships sprinkled throughout. However, something was different during the 2023 season: the habitual playoff entrant had a new head coach calling the shot - the first in a long time. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In his first season Coach Torre Watson was tasked with replacing a living legend, former Ridgewood Coach Chuck Johnson. Under Watson's stewardship, the tradition continued to the tune of a 4-4 record and a home playoff game against Union. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>How will Watson's Maroons fare in year two? Although it remains to be seen, below are a few prospects that Ridgewood will be relying on in 2024. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Returning Contributors Series</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Be sure to catch up on my entire returning contributors series by clicking through on the link to the articles below.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-the-bayonne-fighting-bees-skill-players/">Bayonne Fighting Bees' Skills</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-bridgewater-raritan-panthers-skills/">Bridgewater-Raritan Panthers' Skills</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-the-clifton-mustangs-skill-positions/">Clifton Mustangs' Skills</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-the-elizabeth-minutemen-big-men/">Elizabeth Minutemen Line</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-the-hackensack-comets-skill-positions/">Hackensack Comets' Skills</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-the-linden-tigers-skill-positions/">Linden Tigers' Skills</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-the-montclair-mounties-skill-positions/">Montclair Mounties' Skills</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-morristown-colonials-big-men/">Morristown Colonials' Line</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-the-passaic-county-tech-bulldogs-skills/">Passaic County Tech Bulldogs' Skills</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-the-phillipsburg-stateliners-skills/">Phillipsburg Stateliners' Skills</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-st-joseph-metuchen-falcons-skills/">St. Joseph (Metuchen) Falcons' Line</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-st-thomas-aquinas-trojan-skills-line/">St. Thomas Aquinas Trojans' Skills &amp; Line</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-the-union-farmers-linemen/">Union Farmers' Line</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-the-union-city-soaring-eagles-skills/">Union City Soaring Eagles' Skills</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-watchung-hills-warriors-linemen/">Watchung Hills Warriors' Line</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-the-westfield-blue-devils-linemen/">Westfield Blue Devils' Line</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-the-west-orange-mountaineers-skills/">West Orange Mountaineers' Skills</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1043533"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='1043533' first='Quinn' last='Conneen'] appears to be the heartbeat of the Maroons' defense. After a very strong sophomore season where he made 90 tackles (27 solos), 2 TFL, 1 FF, 1 blocked kick, and played multiple linebacker positions on the field. The absolute best thing he does is wrap legs and make tackles like an absolute stone wall. When called upon to blitz Conneen has the requisite strength to stand up lineman at the line of scrimmage. In pass coverage Conneen is able to get to his drop in sufficient time, playing correct leverage, and rallies to the ball once it is in flight. Although Conneen takes a solid initial read step that typically leads him to scraping over the top to make plays, once he makes that diagnosis step I would love to see him continue to attack or shoot the window underneath in order to make for tackles for loss. If he can add this to his film and continue to abide by Ridgewood's strength and conditioning program during his junior season, he has the potential to be a high-level college prospect when he is a senior.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65dfdbbf00531"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18978070/65653e09d4695a07d44e76e6' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65dfdbbf005df"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1043555"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"The leading rusher in Ridgewood's Wing-T offense is back. As a junior [player_tooltip player_id='1043555' first='Colin' last='Burns'] rushed 70 times for 450 yards with 7 touchdowns. Although modest numbers at the onset, Burns has a huge opportunity ahead of him as 722 yards and 11 touchdowns graduate in May. Burns demonstrates outstanding balance as a runner. He absorbs and bounces off of defenders looking to lay the big hit like a pinball as he shifts his hips for extra yardage and stays on his feet. Adding to this, Burns is equipped with an arsenal of moves including, side-steps, jump-cuts, lowering his shoulder ahead of impact, and in one clip we saw him stiff arm a defender's back straight to the ground and continue running for extra yardage. Another thing that Burns does very well, and is absolutely necessary when running the Wing-T, is having a disciplined approach to reaching his aiming point and hitting the designed hole. A sneaky athlete, when asked to be a pass catcher he adjusts to poorly thrown balls and the ball's midair trajectory as well. I would love to see Burns continue to be utilized in a variety of ways as the majority, if not every single one, of his highlights were from the left wing back position.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65dfdbbf00649"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/6402829/6553c259a6773006c8dd3356' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65dfdbbf00669"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1195971"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"There might be a quarterback competition brewing in Ridgewood as both junior Will Yates and freshman [player_tooltip player_id='1195971' first='Gavin' last='McCrone'] receiving playing time. McCrone received roughly double the opportunities as he went 18 for 49 with 200 yards, a touchdown, 2 picks, and rushed 25 times for 43 yards; whole Yates statistically appeared more efficient statistically. In very limited film we can see flashes of what McCrone's coaches must see. McCrone is very fluid on rollout passes and loses to give his teammates at the skill position an opportunity make plays with the ball in their hands. Similarly, his footwork on rollout seems sound. It is hard to really assess and give feedback beyond that due to the limited number of clips his highlights contain.rnrnu003cstrongu003eHudlu003c/strongu003e: https://www.hudl.com/profile/19632081/Gavin-McCrone/highlights","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65dfdbbf006c0"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1195973"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"A tight end linebacker by trade [player_tooltip player_id='1195973' first='Andrew' last='Marotta'] appears primed for a bigger role this offseason. The last fall Marotta hauled in 5 catches for 49 yards and 1 score, while also tallying a tackle on defense. Consider the context behind those 5 catches though: Marotta plays on a Wing-T team that passed just 92 times last season compared to 333 rushing attempts. Further, his 5 grabs represent 12.5% of the team total; whereas three players that represented 52.5% of the teams receptions graduating. In limited available game film Marotta ran either a deep drag or post and made a great play on the ball. He was able to adjust to a ball that was thrown behind him with ease. A nuanced element of route running, Marotta prepared to sit in the soft spot of the zone coverage he was facing as he made that grab. Finally, he absorbed a big hit from the defender and was able to maintain possession of the ball to the ground. Akin to McCrone, we must see more tape on Marotta.rnrnu003cstrongu003eHudlu003c/strongu003e: https://www.hudl.com/profile/16688942/Andrew-Marotta/highlights","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65dfdbbf0071c"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1195972"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"The one, true linemen on today's report is [player_tooltip player_id='1195972' first='Harrison' last='Cariddi']. The two-way anchor in the trenches for the Maroons played offensive tackle for Ridgewood and made 44 stops (5 solo), 2.5 behind the line, 1.5 sacks, and recovered a fumble as he alternated time between edge and interior linemen. There is a lot to like about Cariddi's game. Starting on the defensive side of the ball, he has shown that he is a difficult backside block as he effectively sheds blocks by either swiping hands or snatching his defender (the angle was tough to see). Nearly robotically, Cariddi gets hands on the man in front of him play-after-play and will squeeze flat down the line of scrimmage without displacing himself too far upfield. He also does a really nice job of maintaining control of his gap. This, again, comes back to how he uses his hands and creates separation from the defender - only to peek into his gap and keep his off-arm free to secure a tackle. Given that he gets hands on people, he has a solid bull rush move on pass rushing down. For as well as Cariddi utilizes his hands on defense, I would implore him to do the same on offense. Hands on the defender's chest plate, thumbs up, squeeze your pecs, flex your scapula, and control the your assignment as a blocker.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65dfdbbf00783"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16681391/653ef44e5b3cca0de8620583' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65dfdbbf007a8"} /-->