The Barrons Sideline

The “Red Ghosts”

By: Charles McDevitt - April 1, 2006

The earliest documentation of a football program for Woodbridge High School is 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…” (The History of Education, 1664-1964, page 43)

In 1915, a photo 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)

In 1918, the following was place in the 1918 yearbook. “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)

In 1924, Woodbridge HS Football resumes. Home games are played at the Parish House Field behind the Presbyterian Manse on Rahway Avenue, Woodbridge Proper. There is no record available as to exactly how many years games were played there. The best information is 1924 to the 1935. The 1924 Team registered a 1- 4 season record.

(History of Education, 1664-1964, page 43)

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)

In 1934, the nickname used by Woodbridge HS was the “Red Ghosts”.

(Woodbridge, NJ’s oldest Township, page 91)

Based on my research, my conclusions are as follows. Woodbridge HS Football began in 1913, and stopped after the 1916 season. There are no records of, coaches, players or season standing from these years. We can document that football returned to WHS in 1924, and it is from this point that Dr. Nick Sardone has compiled the statistical history of the program. He is a diehard Woodbridge HS Football fan and was a close contact of legendary head coach, Nick Priscoe. As a result of his research, we will label 1924 as the initial season of the Woodbridge High School Football Program.

We will not, however, label them “Barrons”. Research has indicated that the Woodbridge High School utilized the nickname “Red Ghosts” up to and including 1934. Although there is one newspaper report that labeled us the “Knights” in 1930, it can not be confirmed. Written documents as well as personal statements by individuals from that era corroborate the nickname, “Red Ghost”. I can find no resource other than this news article to confirm the use of the nickname “Knights” by WHS. Interviews conducted discounted the “Knights” nickname. (Charles McDevitt conversation with Mr. Frank Capraro, April 2005)

(Charles McDevitt conversation with Ernie Dubay (’44) and Dominic Aquila (‘37), May 2005)

Sometime after 1934, the “Red Ghost” was dropped, and the “Barrons” instituted. We have found no documentation to indicate the reason for this change, but since, Woodbridge High School has maintained the nickname, “Barrons”.

You may have asked yourself, why does WoodbridgeFootball.com utilize an image of a skull as it’s logo. The reason was two-fold. First, Coach Russo awards his players with a skull for positive action on the field, and they are worn on their helmet. And second, because of the “Red Ghost” history. History should never be lost. History is who we are.

In 2006, we have modified the skull logo with new colors. The change was made to more closely reflect the “Red Ghost” theme, and to preserve the history that is Woodbridge Football.