New Ridge head coach Jeff Sutherland at Big Central Media Day at Kean University in Union on August 7, 2025. (Photo: Mike Pavlichko)
Even though he’s been on the staff, Jeff Sutherland says it’s different.
There’s a new dynamic when you move up from coordinator to head coach, but Sutherland is having a blast as he readies the Ridge football team for 2025.
Sutherland took over after fellow alum Andy West stepped down in the Spring after five seasons as head coach following the departure of Bill Tracy, who’s now at St. Joseph-Metuchen. West’s teams were 36-12, made the playoffs all four seasons they were held (none in 2020 due to COVID), and won the Big Central American Silver Division title outright in last season, after a three-way tie they shared in 2023.
On the field, the loss of senior QB Connor McLachlan (981 passing yards, 10 TDs) and RB Aidan Stieglitz (1,311 rush yards, 22 touchdowns) won’t be easy to overcome, but there will be an emphasis on line play on both sides of the ball. And even the most talented runningback in the world can’t do anything if he’s not blocked for.
Defensively, a couple of two-way linemen – who Sutherland brought to Big Central Media Day on August 7th – will also be key: Nate Engdahl (2 sacks, 4 TFLs) and Anthony Valera (1 sack, 4 TFLs, 1 forced fumble/recovery), among others.
Ridge has a bye Week Zero and will open the season on September 5th when St. Joe’s visits Lee Field.
Click below to hear from Sutherland, Engdahl and Valera with Central Jersey Sports Radio’s Mike Pavlichko at Big Central Media Day:
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