Forest Hills vs Chestnut Ridge Game Preview

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Baron Dionis | September 12, 2025

Undefeated Forest Hills travels to Chestnut Ridge for week four of the 2025 season. Neither are ranked just yet, but Forest Hills is starting to put together a great resume of getting there, coming off an upset win of Penn Cambria last week. They were ranked eighth before losing. Now the Rangers will travel and take on a 1-2 Chestnut Ridge team that has struggled, but they still believe that they can turn things around to make a run in the D5 2A playoffs. Figuring things out against Forest Hills is the first step towards getting there.

“We need to win the TO battle & play more consistently in all 3 phases of the game,” Chestnut Ridge Head Coach Max Shoemaker stated. “Eliminate the negative plays on offense where we had either mental and/or physical breakdowns. Our execution has to be much improved.”

Chestnut Ridge has struggled slightly this season on offense, scoring 27 against Johnstown, 14 against Philipsburg-Osceola, and shutout against Bishop McCort. Things will need to change to have a chance to win, but they face a tough Forest Hills defense.

“Chestnut Ridge has started with a tough schedule,” Forest Hills head coach Justin Myers explained.  “Their record of 1-2, isn’t what they could be. Coach Shoemaker is one of the best HS football coaches I’ve ever seen. He will have his players ready. They are gritty and will battle all night. We will be in for a battle.”

Forest Hills has fired off of all cylinders so far, blowing out Westmont Hilltop and Bellefonte, before knocking off Penn Cambria 22-18. Their offense and defense has been excellent.

“We are playing unselfish football right now,” Coach Myers commented. “We have a lot of guys on this team that just want to win. We have a players like Nate Gabany who is playing right tackle for us. He was a wr/te all he’s life. We moved him there and he relished the chance to help his team.”

Part of the success from Forest Hills has come from quarterback Xander Richardson. He has accounted for 461 passing yards and 243 rushing yards. He has connected with Cam Vitez for 162 yards and Koy McGough for 152. Whether its running or passing, it goes through Richardson nearly every play.

“Xander is a game changer,” Coach Myers commented. “He’s very unselfish and knows that his success comes because of teammates. With that said he is our leader. He’s a Great qb, great rb. But possibly the best lb in the league. He makes our team roll and the kids follow him.”

“#5 is a great athlete on both sides of the ball,” Coach Shoemaker replied. “Their offense has plenty of weapons but he is catalyst who makes it all go. His stats say it all. We are not going to be able to completely shut down his big plays….but are working to minimize them.”

If Chestnut Ridge wants a chance at winning they have got to slow Richardson down. Offensively, Jayden Imler has been their main rusher, accounting for 220 yards. Cooper Barefoot has also rushed for 151 yards for them. Their triple option offense is tough to stop at times, but they need to control the line of scrimmage to be successful against a strong defense.

This should be a competitive game on Friday evening at Chestnut Ridge High School. If Forest Hills wins, they should join the conversation in the 3A state rankings, while if Ridge wins, their chances for the D5 2A title become realistic once again.

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