Woodbridge Senior High School - A brief historical overview!
1877 - School #1 built during 1876 and opened in January 1877. The building is located on School Street, Woodbridge Proper.
(History of Education, 1664-1964, page 13, 19)
(Woodbridge, NJ’s oldest Township, page 86)
1883 - First graduating HS class at School #1 on School Street (2).
(History of Education, 1664-1964, page 53)
1897 - The HS courses were increased from three to four years.
(History of Education, 1664-1964, page 13)
1877 / 1910 - HS classes held in School #1 on School Street, Woodbridge Proper.
(History of Education, 1664-1964, page 19)
1910 - Plans approved for a new WHS to be located on Barron Avenue. Woodbridge Proper.
(History of Education, 1664-1964, page 14)
1911 - September, is the official opening for the new WHS on Barron Avenue, Woodbridge Proper.
(History of Education, 1664-1964, page 14)
1911 / 1955 - HS classes held in newly built WHS on Barron Avenue, Woodbridge Proper.
(History of Education, 1664-1964, page 19)
1911 - First Graduating HS class at WHS on Barron Avenue (5).
(History of Education, 1664-1964, page 54)
1913 - Woodbridge HS Football begins in 1913. “The most popular high school sport, football, began in 1913, but it was banned the following year because of a serious injury to a player. The sport resumed in 1924, using the Parish House Field…”
(History of Education, 1664-1964, page 43)
1915 - Photo that depicts the Woodbridge HS Football Team in front of the HS on Barron Avenue. The photo appears to have the letters WHS, and number 1915 on the football! There are no known documents naming a head coach, a playing field location, nor the season record! This photo contradicts the theory football was banned in 1914 through 1923.
(Images of America, Woodbridge, page 45)
1917 - “Football this year had given promise of an exceptionally fine season. We had plenty of dates and strong, heavy material, but all our fond hopes were wrecked by the decision of the faculty to abolish this sport. It seems a shame that this has happened.” This writing seems to infer that football was banned in 1917, contradicting other theories.
(“The Maior Dial”, 1918 Yearbook of the Woodbridge High School, page Football)
1924 - Head Coach, Herb Lauck – 1924 / 1925, 3 – 7 – 2 career record, .333%
(WHS Football Research, Dr. Nick Sardone, 2004)
1924 - Woodbridge HS Football resumes.
(History of Education, 1664-1964, page 43)
(WHS Football Research, Dr. Nick Sardone, 2004)
1924 / 1935 - Home games are played at the Parish House Field behind the Presbyterian Manse on Rahway Avenue, Woodbridge Proper. The 1924 Team registered a 1- 4 season record. There is no record available as to exactly how many years games were played there. The best information is 1924 to the 1935.
(History of Education, 1664-1964, page 43)
(WHS Football Research, Dr. Nick Sardone, 2004)
(Charles McDevitt conversation with Mr. Frank Capraro, April 2005)
(Charles McDevitt conversation with Mr. Joseph Nagy, May 2005)
(Charles McDevitt conversation with Mr. Ernie Dubay (’44) and Mr. Dominic Aquila (‘37), May 2005)
1926 - Head Coach, Fred Stephens - 1926, 5 – 4 – 0 career record, .555%
(WHS Football Research, Dr. Nick Sardone, 2004)
1927 - Head Coach, Orville Rice - 1927 / 1929, 7 – 19 – 3 career record, .293%
(WHS Football Research, Dr. Nick Sardone, 2004)
1927 - Woodbridge Speedway opens. The location was on the present site of the Woodbridge HS, off St. George Avenue and Amboy Avenue, Woodbridge Proper. Originally, the track was made of wood boards! In 1933, the boards were removed because hey were too expensive to maintain. The track was replaced with oiled dirt. The exact location of the speedway encompassed the entire Stadium field (¼ track) and extended westward an additional distance. The speedway was a ½ mile track.
(Woodbridge, NJ’s oldest Township, page 125)
(Photograph of Speedway, circa 1930’s)
1930 - Head Coach, Heinie Benkert - 1930 / 1931, 16 – 2 – 0 career record, .888%
(WHS Football Research, Dr. Nick Sardone, 2004)
1930 - The 1st State Championship won by the Woodbridge HS Football Team was in 1930.
Under the leadership of Head Coach Heinie Benkert, the Team registered a 9 - 0 season record. It was the 1st and only undefeated, untied season in WHS Football history! (See 1934 below)
(WHS Football Research, Dr. Nick Sardone, 2004)
1930 - The nickname of the Woodbridge HS changed from “Knights” to the “Barrons” after their Championship season of 1930.
(The Home News, 1995, Emory Konick Jr., page B6)
1932 - Head Coach, Frank Kirkleski - 1932 / 1934, 15 – 10 – 1 career record, .596%
(WHS Football Research, Dr. Nick Sardone, 2004)
1932 - The Woodbridge HS Football Team played at least one game at the Woodbridge Speedway. Woodbridge vs. St. Mary’s was played at 2:30pm on Thanksgiving Day of that year. Woodbridge defeated St. Mary’s by a score of 18 – 0. The presumption is the only games played there in the early 1930’s, were home games on Thanksgiving Day, for a total of 2 or 3 games. From the late 1930’s to 1946, Legion Field was used as home field. The Semi Pro Golden Bears also used the field for Sunday home games. (See 1936 below)
(The Home News, 1995, Emory Konick Jr., page B6)
(WHS Football Research, Dr. Nick Sardone, 2004)
(Charles McDevitt conversation with Mr. Frank Capraro, April 2005)
(Charles McDevitt conversation with Ernie Dubay (’44) and Dominic Aquila (‘37), May 2005)
1934 - The nickname, "Knights" can not be substantiated. The nickname of the Woodbridge HS was the “Red Ghosts”.
(Woodbridge, NJ’s oldest Township, page 91)
(Charles McDevitt conversation with Ernie Dubay (’44) and Dominic Aquila (‘37), May 2005)
1935 - Head Coach, Nick Priscoe - 1935 / 1949, 65 – 54 – 12 career record, .542%
(WHS Football Research, Dr. Nick Sardone, 2004)
1935 - Woodbridge Township Stadium Commission organized to build a “Stadium”, and a
land mass of ten acres is acquired. $10,000 needed to be raised for construction.
(History of the Woodbridge Township Stadium, page 4)
1936 - The Woodbridge HS Football Team played one season, using the Woodbridge Speedway as their home turf.
(Charles McDevitt conversation with Ernie Dubay (’44) and Dominic Aquila (‘37), May 2005)
1938 - Woodbridge Speedway’s last season. The race track closed due to a lack of spectator support and sponsorship
(Woodbridge, NJ’s oldest Township, page 125)
(Charles McDevitt conversation with Mr. Robert McEwen, March 2005)
1937 / 1946 - During the late 1930’s, the Woodbridge HS Football Team played it’s games at what today is called Legion Field. It is unknown if there was another name for the field prior to the American Legion taking possession of the property in 1950. The playing field was located south of the Police HQ’s on Berry Street, Woodbridge Proper. Woodbridge played at this site in 1938 and 1939, their back to back Championship Seasons. Art Leffler was the first WHS player to score a TD at Legion Field on an end around (right side) for a 15-20 yards gain. Legion Field was utilized through 1946. During 1950-1952, The NJ Turnpike was built. It ran through Woodbridge and through the playing field at Legion Field. The field house remained and is currently occupied by the American Legion.
(Charles McDevitt conversation with Mr. Frank Capraro, April 2005)
(The Home News, 1995, Emory Konick Jr., page B6)
(WHS Football Research, Dr. Nick Sardone, 2004)
(Charles McDevitt conversation with Mr. Lou Creekmur, January & May 2005)
(Charles McDevitt conversation with Mr. Joseph Nagy, May 2005)
(Charles McDevitt conversation with Mr. Ernie Dubay (’44) and Mr. Dominic Aquila (‘37), May 2005)
(Charles McDevitt conversation with Mr. Stephen Pete Dalina, May 2005)
1938 / 1939 - The 2nd and 3rd State Championships were registered back to back! In 1938 and
1939, Head Coach Nick Priscoe guided the Barrons to a 7 - 1 season record ('38), and a 5 - 2 - 2 season record ('39).
(WHS Football Research, Dr. Nick Sardone, 2004)
1942 / 1943 - Lou Creekmur, NFL Hall of Famer, Woodbridge HS Football, graduating class of 1944. Played his junior and senior HS years along side of Tommy Tucker at Legion Field. Did not play his freshman or sophomore years. Instead, he had a lucrative “paper route”, he didn’t want to give up!
(Charles McDevitt conversation with Mr. Lou Creekmur, January & May 2005)
1947 - Woodbridge HS Football used Rahway HS’s football field, and Perth Amboy HS’s football field for home games for one season. In 1947, Legion Field was turned over to the NJ Turnpike project (1950 – 52), and The “Stadium” wasn’t open until 1948.
(Charles McDevitt conversation with Mr. Stephen Pete Dalina, May 2005)
1948 - The “Stadium” is erected off St. George Avenue, Woodbridge Proper. This was the first season Woodbridge HS Football Team utilized the field as the home turf.
(History of Education, 1664-1964, page 14)
(Bronze placque on the wall of the main entrance to the structure, photograph)
(WHS Football Research, Dr. Nick Sardone, 2004)
(Charles McDevitt conversation with Mr. Frank Capraro, April 2005)
(Charles McDevitt conversation with Mr. Joseph Nagy, May 2005)
(Charles McDevitt conversation with Mr. Stephen Pete Dalina, May 2005)
1950 - Head Coach, George Gerek - 1950 / 1952, 7 – 19 – 1 career record, .277%
(WHS Football Research, Dr. Nick Sardone, 2004)
1953 - Head Coach, Nick Priscoe - 1953 / 1962, 56 – 28 – 6 career record, .655%
Coach Priscoe’s overall career record is 121 – 82 – 18, .588%
(WHS Football Research, Dr. Nick Sardone, 2004)
1956 - Graduating HS class at WHS on Barron Avenue (317).
(History of Education, 1664-1964, page 56)
1956 - September, Official opening for the new Woodbridge HS on Kelly Street (later 1 Sam Lupo Plaza), Woodbridge Proper.
(History of Education, 1664-1964, page 17)
1957 - First Graduating HS class at WHS on Kelly Street (365).
(History of Education, 1664-1964, page 56)
1960 - Head Coach Nick Priscoe led his 1960 Woodbridge HS Football Team to the 4th State Championship, registering a 2nd undefeated season with an 8 - 0 - 1 record!
(WHS Football Research, Dr. Nick Sardone, 2004)
1963 - Head Coach, Sam Lupo - 1963 / 1972, 47 – 39 – 4 career record, .544%
(WHS Football Research, Dr. Nick Sardone, 2004)
1964 - September, is the official opening of JFK Memorial HS. Iselin, NJ
(History of Education, 1664-1964, page 17)
1967 - September, is the official opening of Colonia HS. Colonia, NJ
(WHS Football Research, Dr. Nick Sardone, 2004)
1969 - The Woodbridge Barrons registered their 3rd undefeated season, with a record of 8 - 0 - 1. Despite this accomplishment, the NJSIAA Championship Committee awarded the 1969 State Title to Westfield and Union as co-champions. The 1969 Team did enjoy the recognition of being ranked "6th" in the final statewide poll, by the Newark Evening News that year! From 1973 and prior, there were no playoff games as we know of today. State Titles were decided by the NJSIAA Championship Committee. It wasn't until 1974 that the playoff format was developed to decide on the field, a true champion.
(WHS Football Research, Dr. Nick Sardone, 2004)
1970 - The 5th State Championship was delivered by the 1970 Team. Head Coach Sam Lupo, led the '70 Woodbridge HS Football Team to a 7 - 2 record.
(WHS Football Research, Dr. Nick Sardone, 2004)
1971 - In 1971, Head Coach Lupo guided his Woodbridge HS Football Team to their 6th State Championship. His '71 Team put a
7 - 2 season record into the history books!
(WHS Football Research, Dr. Nick Sardone, 2004)
1973 - Head Coach, Frank Capraro - 1973 / 1987, 80 – 52 – 8 career record, .600%
(WHS Football Research, Dr. Nick Sardone, 2004)
1980 - Head Coach, Frank Caparo guided the 1980 Woodbridge HS Football Team to their
7th State Championship with an 8 - 2 - 1 season record.
(WHS Football Research, Dr. Nick Sardone, 2004)
1988 - Head Coach, Mike Cilento - 1988 / 1992, 23 – 22 – 2 career record, .522%
(WHS Football Research, Dr. Nick Sardone, 2004)
1993 - Head Coach, Frank Bender - 1993, 9 – 2 – 0 career record, .818%
(WHS Football Research, Dr. Nick Sardone, 2004)
1993 - In his one and only season as Head Coach, Frank Bender led his Woodbridge
HS Football Team to the 8th State Championship, with an impressive 9 - 2 season record.
(WHS Football Research, Dr. Nick Sardone, 2004)
1994 - Head Coach, William Nyers - 1994 / 2002, 49 – 38 – 1 career record, .563%
(WHS Football Research, Dr. Nick Sardone, 2004)
(Woodbridge HS Football – Team Statistician, Charles McDevitt - www.woodbridgefootball.com)
1994 - In 1994, the Woodbridge HS Football Team registered a 5 – 3 – 1 season record. WHS defeated Colonia 28 – 6. Head Coach, William Nyers.
(WHS Football Research, Dr. Nick Sardone, 2004)
(Woodbridge HS Football – Team Statistician, Charles McDevitt - www.woodbridgefootball.com)
1995 - In 1995, the Woodbridge HS Football Team registered a 7 – 2 – 0 season record. WHS defeated Colonia 12 - 0. Head Coach, William Nyers.
(WHS Football Research, Dr. Nick Sardone, 2004)
(Woodbridge HS Football – Team Statistician, Charles McDevitt - www.woodbridgefootball.com)
1996 - In 2002, the Woodbridge HS Football Team registered a 2 – 6 regular season, and then defeated Trenton in a NJSIAA Consolation Game held in Woodbridge. WHS defeated Colonia.
4 – 6 – 0 overall season record. Head Coach, William Nyers.
(WHS Football Research, Dr. Nick Sardone, 2004)
(Woodbridge HS Football – Team Statistician, Charles McDevitt - www.woodbridgefootball.com)
1997 - In 1997, Head Coach, William Nyers led his Woodbridge HS Football Team to a
9 – 2 – 0 overall season record, and to their 9th State Championship!
(WHS Football Research, Dr. Nick Sardone, 2004)
(Woodbridge HS Football – Team Statistician, Charles McDevitt - www.woodbridgefootball.com)
1998 - In 1998, the Woodbridge HS Football Team registered a 2 – 8 – 0 season record. Head Coach, William Nyers.
(WHS Football Research, Dr. Nick Sardone, 2004)
(Woodbridge HS Football – Team Statistician, Charles McDevitt - www.woodbridgefootball.com)
1999 - In 1999, the Woodbridge HS Football Team registered a 7 – 2 – 0 season record. Head Coach, William Nyers.
(WHS Football Research, Dr. Nick Sardone, 2004)
(Woodbridge HS Football – Team Statistician, Charles McDevitt - www.woodbridgefootball.com)
2000 - In 2000, the Woodbridge HS Football Team registered a 6 – 4 – 0 season record. Head Coach, William Nyers.
(Woodbridge HS Football – Team Statistician, Charles McDevitt - www.woodbridgefootball.com)
2001 - In 2001, the Woodbridge HS Football Team registered a 6 – 4 – 0 season record. Head Coach, William Nyers.
(Woodbridge HS Football – Team Statistician, Charles McDevitt - www.woodbridgefootball.com)
2002 - In 2002, the Woodbridge HS Football Team registered a 2 – 6 regular season, and then defeated Trenton in a NJSIAA Consolation Game held in Woodbridge. WHS defeated Colonia.
4 – 6 – 0 overall season record. Head Coach, William Nyers.
(Woodbridge HS Football – Team Statistician, Charles McDevitt - www.woodbridgefootball.com)
2003 - www.WoodbridgeFootball.com was launched on January 23rd. The site was designed for the enjoyment of the players, their families and friends, and the internet population at large. It was created and is maintained by Charles McDevitt.
(Woodbridge HS Football – Team Statistician, Charles McDevitt - www.woodbridgefootball.com)
2003 - Head Coach, Brian Russo - 2003 / Current, 20 – 20 – 0 career record, .488%
(Woodbridge HS Football – Team Statistician, Charles McDevitt - www.woodbridgefootball.com)
2003 - In 2003, the Woodbridge HS Football Team registered a 5 – 3 regular season, and then defeated the Bayonne Bees in round one of the NJSIAA-NJ2-G4. The Piscataway Chiefs defeated the Barrons in the semi-finals, and advanced to the finals were they defeated the Union Farmers, winning the championship. WHS defeated @Colonia 17 – 0. 8 – 3 – 0 overall season record.
Head Coach, Brian Russo.
(Woodbridge HS Football – Team Statistician, Charles McDevitt - www.woodbridgefootball.com)
2004 - In 2004, the Woodbridge HS Football Team registered a 4 – 4 regular season, and then the Phillipsburg Stateliners advance in the playoffs at the Barrons expense. The Stateliners were defeated in the finals by the Piscataway Chiefs, repeat Champions. WHS defeated Colonia 14 – 8. 5 – 5 – 0 overall season record. Head Coach, Brian Russo.
(Woodbridge HS Football – Team Statistician, Charles McDevitt - www.woodbridgefootball.com)
2005 - In 2005, the Woodbridge HS Football Team registered a 2 - 6 regular season, and then defeated the Lenape Indians in the NJSIAA Consolation Game played at Nick Priscoe Stadium. WHS was defeated by the Patriots 42 - 20 on Thanksgiving Day in Colonia. 3 - 7 - 0 overall season record. Head Coach, Brian Russo.
(Woodbridge HS Football – Team Statistician, Charles McDevitt - www.woodbridgefootball.com)
2006 - In 2006, the Woodbridge HS Football Team registered a 3 - 5 regular season. Overall win number 400 came with the defeat of the Edison Eagles on October 6th in Edison, NJ. WHS defeated the Belleville Buccaneers in the NJSIAA Consolation Game played in Belleville, NJ. WHS was defeated by the Colonia Patriots 20 - 18 at Nick Priscoe Stadium. 4 - 6 - 0 overall season record. Head Coach, Brian Russo.
(Woodbridge HS Football – Team Statistician, Charles McDevitt - www.woodbridgefootball.com)
2007 - The Woodbridge Barrons have won 9 State Championships in their 83 year history, and have compiled an over all record of 402 - 316 - 40, with a winning percentage of .557! Head Coach, Brian Russo.
(Woodbridge HS Football – Team Statistician, Charles McDevitt - www.woodbridgefootball.com)
Research Material:
1. History of Education - Woodbridge Township, 1664/1964, 5th Edition 1965, provided by Robert McEwen of Woodbridge, NJ.
2. History of the Woodbridge Township Stadium and School System, 1936, provided by Robert McEwen of Woodbridge, NJ.
3. Images of America, Woodbridge, Volume I, Published 1997, written by Robert McEwen of Woodbridge, NJ and Virginia Bergen Troeger.
4. Images of America, Woodbridge, Volume II, Published 1999, written by Robert McEwen of Woodbridge, NJ and Virginia Bergen Troeger.
5. Woodbridge, NJ’s Oldest Township, Published 2002, written by Robert McEwen of Woodbridge, NJ and Virginia Bergen Troeger.
6. Woodbridge HS Football Research, personal compilations, Dr. Nick Sardone of Edison, NJ.
7. Woodbridge HS Football – www.woodbridgefootball.com, Team Statistician – 2003 / 2005, Charles McDevitt of Woodbridge, NJ.
8. “The Maior Dial” 1918 – Yearbook of the Woodbridge High School, provided by Robert McEwen of Woodbridge, NJ.
9. Mr. Lou Creekmur, Plantation, Florida (formerly – Woodbridge, NJ) - Conversation, January & May 2005.
10. Mr. Robert McEwen, Woodbridge, NJ - Conversations, February, March & April 2005.
10. Mr. Frank Capraro, Woodbridge, NJ - Conversations, February, April & May 2005.
11. Mr. William Harned, Woodbridge, NJ - Conversation, April 2005.
12. Mr. Joseph Nagy, Woodbridge, NJ - Conversation, May 2005.
13. Mr. Ernie Dubay, Columbus, NJ (formerly – Woodbridge, NJ) - Conversation, May 2005.
14. Mr. Dominic Aqulia, Columbus, NJ (formerly – Woodbridge, NJ) - Conversation, May 2005.
15. Mr. Stephen Pete Dalina, Fords, NJ - Conversation, May 2005
Woodbridge Senior High School - 1877 through Present!
By: Charles McDevitt
Woodbridge High School Football - Woodbridge, New Jersey
Created and Maintained by: Charles McDevitt, Technical Assistance: Anthony Caffiero
Official Web Site "Game Day Spotters": Tim Casey, Dean Janowski
2003 - 2007 All rights reserved - www.woodbridgefootball.com
This page was last updated on: March 21, 2007
