The New York Jets announced today that Tony Gonzalez of Ridgefield Park (N.J.) High School has been named this week's recipient of the New York Jets High School Coach of the Week Award. For his efforts, Gonzalez will receive $1,000 to benefit the school's football program and will be presented with a certificate from the Jets.
The award, in its 16th year, is given to coaches in the tristate area who serve the best interests of the game through the teaching of sound football fundamentals, the motivation of young players to achieve, and the promotion of youth football by way of dedication to their community, their school and their student-athletes.
Coach Gonzalez is in his 23rd year as head coach of the Scarlets and in his 30th year overall with Ridgefield Park. The Scarlets have amassed: 21 winning seasons, four league titles and back-to-back county and state titles in the 1995 and '96 seasons under his guidance.
Gonzalez was a three-sport athlete during his playing days at Ridgefield Park. He was captain and an all-league first-team tailback for his senior season in 1975. He was also captain of the wrestling team his senior year on his way to becoming a state wrestling champion. He was also part of the baseball team, which won the league and state championship in the '75 season.
On Friday night, Ridgefield Park came from behind and beat Westwood, 32-18, ending its seven-game losing streak against the Cardinals. The Scarlets will be on the road to face the River Dell Golden Hawks on Friday, Oct. 28.
