Mike Pagliaro breaks a tackle on his way to 55-yard punt return against Evergreen Park in 1992

Mike Pagliaro

Assistant Head-Football Coach and Defensive Coordinator for the Ridgewood Rebels. Mike was a 4-year varsity letter winner (89-92) and All Conference Football Player for the Rebels (92). He began his coaching career in 1996 as the Head Freshman Coach and then moved to Head Sophomore Coach in 1997. His teams were a combined record of 45-18-2, highlighted by the Undefeated 2000 Football Season (9-0 Sophomore Conference Champions and 8-0 Freshmen Conference Champions).

Rich Carroll

Varsity Letter winner 1973-74 – All Conference Tight End in 1974 – Assisted Alan Marks for over 15 years as the Offensive Line Coach. He wrote the passionate letter: Press On Toward Your Goal, to the Undefeated Conference 1992 (9-0) S.W.S.C. Champions.

Press On Toward Your Goal!

Perhaps the most important characteristic of a championship team is their ability to maintain their focus (Focus being another word for mental discipline). The truly great teams look only to the next obstacle in their path – Not reflecting on past victories nor anticipating future glories beyond this week.

Remember how hard you All have worked to get to where you are.

Tom Pagliaro 1991 vs. Austin 22 carries 185 and 2 Td’s

Tom Pagliaro

Head Football Coach Ridgewood H.S. Tom was 4-year varsity letter winner (89-92). He was a 1^st Team All State (Chicago Sun Times) selection in 1992 as well as being voted S.W.S.C. Player of the Year after gaining 1,842 yards and scoring 23 Td’s. Tom began his coaching career in 1996 assisting Al Marks as the varsity running backs coach. During that tenure he and helped produce 2 Honorable Mention and one 1^st team All State selection.

Joe Melendez

Three year varsity letter winner (1992-94) – All SWSC 1994 – 1^st All Time Career Receiving Yards 2,020 1^st All Time Leading Pass Receiver 105 rec. – 3^rd All Time Leading Scorer 188 pts. – 1^st All Time Td Receptions 29 Td’s

Jeff Schroeder

Three-year varsity letter winner (1993-95) – All SWSC 1994 – 2^nd All Time Leading Rusher 2,909 yds. – 2^nd All Time Career Leading Scorer 244 pts. – 2^nd All Time Career Rushing Td’s 35 – Team MVP 1995

Butch DeFelice

Three Year Varsity Letter Winner (1996-98) – All S.P.C. 1998 – 2^nd All Time Career Td Pass Completions 28 Td’s – 5^th All Time Career Pass Completions 140 com. – 5^th All Time Career Passing Yards 2,210 yds. – First Father/Son to be Named Team Captain 1998 (Father: Rich Defelice 1969)

Rick DeFelice

Two Year Varsity Letter Winner 1968-69 – All Chicago Area 1969 – Team Captian 1969 – First Father/Son to be Named Team Captain 1969

(Son: Butch DeFelice 1998)

The 1997 Offensive Line

Ralph Cantal (165 lb. Sr. Tackle), Vito Cossintino (155 lb. Sr. Center), Chris Pelich (170 lb. Sr. Guard), Pete Centracchio (180 lb. Sr. Tackle) Not Pictured: Angelo Douros (175 lb. So. Guard), Fred Arena (165 lb. Sr. TE), Otto Barbanente (175 lb. Sr. TE) Offensive Line Coach: Mike Liacone

Pound for pound, they might be the toughest offensive lines in Ridgewood Football history. Accomplishments: Blocked for All S.P.C Brian “Bubba” Floral 650 yards and All State (I.H.F.C.A.) Brian Rzenicki 1,447 yards. Allowed only 5 QB sacks the entire season and averaged over 230 yards rushing a game.

~ No Picture ~

Bob Georgeoff

All State Special Mention 1981 – 1981 Learner News Player of the year 1981 – 2^nd All Time Receiving Yards 1,064 – 3^rd Single Season Receiving Yards 664 – Team MVP 1981