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Ridgewood's Ross Has Another Career Day Against Hudson

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By BART O'CONNELL

Tribune correspondent

Published: September 8, 2008

HUDSON There's something about playing Hudson that certainly gets Sterling Ross going.
And going, and going, and going.
A year after Ross rushed for a career-high 159 yards and three touchdowns against the Cobras, while playing for Mitchell, the senior made a rousing debut for Ridgewood, carrying 15 times for a new career-high 170 yards and three touchdowns in the Rams' 35-12 victory at Cobra Stadium.
"Nothing in particular. I thought with their five linebackers, it was going to be hard. It looks hard," Ross said. "But I practiced 100 percent all week, the line blocked well. We're a team, a family."
Ross's breakaway speed was evidenced by his final touchdown that made it 20-12 with 42 seconds to play in the first half.
About 15-yards downfield, Hudson linebacker Vance Lizama had both arms around Ross, bringing him to a complete stop, but he shook away and simply accelerated past the other 10 Cobras down the left sideline.
Zero-to-touchdown in 76 yards.
"My legs felt like they were under me the whole time," Ross said. "They hit me and I was like, 'Wow, I'm still running.' I like to break tackles as well as anybody else."
Ridgewood coach Chris Taylor sees Ross as playing the exact role All-County running back Byronell Arline did last season.
"Everyone said [last year] we were just pounding a big back, but it's different when you're pounding a quick back," Taylor said. "Not that Arline wasn't quick and fast, but Sterling's got a little bit different gear than he does, and it helps our linemen out a little bit; they don't have to hold their blocks quite as long.
"We're running the same offense we've always run. A few tweaks here and there, but we believe in our offensive system."
That fact hasn't been lost on Ross, who takes pride in running the ball up the middle. It wasn't a role he played often in Mitchell's spread-option look from a year ago.
Now, he's showing that he's capable of making tough runs.
"My first year at Ridgewood, I have a lot of people doubting me. They had a big running back last year, and I look like a skimpy little dude," he said. "People don't know me. They thought Bubba was so great.
"I just wanted to come out here, be a good back and get over 1,000 yards. Now that he's gone, it's made me work a little harder to get to my goal, and tonight was the first step."
Hudson, meanwhile, had far less success running their offense from a year ago. Despite 16 first downs and nearly 300 yards of offense, Coach Mark Nash was disappointed with the offense's four turnovers, all from quarterback Zack Wynn who was 20-of-30 passing for 152 yards and two touchdowns (one passing, one rushing). Ridgewood's game plan was to pressure Wynn, and they did so to the tune of three sacks.
For the second consecutive week, the Cobras lacked the big play that has become synonymous with Nash's teams. Hudson's longest offensive play was a 20-yard run by Dylan Luke (16 carries, 123 yards). Wynn's longest play was a 16-yard shovel pass to Luke.
By contrast, Ridgewood had six plays of 20 yards or more, including three passes by quarterback Jimmy Mattos (8-of-10, 107 yards, two touchdowns).
"I felt like we could move the ball, but the turnovers hurt us," Nash said. "We're still not where we need to be. … Zack's struggling, but he'll get through it. He's a tough kid and it's frustrating for him. We'll keep working on it."

Correspondent Bart O'Connell can be reached at tampasport@gmail.com.

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