RIDGEFIELD — Watch Noah Stromberg on turf, and he can’t stay stationary for long.
“I’m a guy that likes physicality,” the Ridgefield High senior said.
That’s why he gave up baseball for fast-pace lacrosse. And that’s why he passed on high school golf after just one practice sophomore year in favor of Spudder football — where physicality is present every down.
Baseball? Too slow, he said. Golf? Even slower.
Stromberg found the right pace and physicality in what he labels his best season of high school football for the Spudders (8-1), who open the Week 10 state preliminary round hosting Fife (6-3) at 3 p.m. Saturday.
If the Stromberg name sounds familiar, it should. Older brothers Michael and Jonathan were football standouts at Skyview who went onto play college football. Jonathan Stromberg, a 2023 Skyview graduate, currently is a redshirt freshman at Idaho.
The younger Stromberg has forged his own football path at Ridgefield — even if it meant a late-arriving debut. A golf-filled summer in 2022 had the teenager poised to take up high school golf as a transfer from Skyview.
He quickly had a change of heart. He went from hitting golf balls to back hitting on the turf.
“I went to one practice and was like, ‘man, I hate this. This is so boring,’ ” he said.
Stromberg’s first love is lacrosse, and the sport’s similarities allow for him to flourish in football.
As a midfielder for the Portland-based Northwest Rippers and Skyview’s club lacrosse team, Stromberg contributes on both offense and defense.
Hand-eye coordination, reads, body contact and communication make for a natural crossover to football. That’s especially true playing strong safety, Stromberg’s starting defensive position for Ridgefield, where speed and reaction are a necessity.
Reading and reacting, in fact, are why Stromberg prefers to be a defensive-first player.
“I like reacting,” the second-team all-2A Greater St. Helens League defensive back said. “You don’t know exactly what (the opposing team) is doing. The movement they’re doing, and you’ve got to react. I just love that — and being a physical player.”
That’s just one reason why Stromberg believes this season is the best version of himself in football. Previously, football and club lacrosse often intertwined during the high school football season.
Not this year. Instead, Stromberg put lacrosse on pause until after the conclusion of the 2024 football season. A necessary step for himself, teammates and the program.
That’s made a difference for the two-way standout at safety and receiver. In nine regular-season games, Ridgefield has allowed 9.8 eight points per game and allowed 14 or fewer points to seven of its nine opponents. Stromberg spotlighted how the team’s talents and football IQs extend to all three phases.
“You don’t see a place that we’re really lacking,” he said.
Head coach Scott Rice pins this year’s Ridgefield defense as the best in his six seasons as head coach, and highlighted how Stromberg’s growth begins with his increased leadership. He also noted how Stromberg has grown into one of Ridgefield’s most productive and reliable defensive standouts the past two seasons.
“He makes sure the right checks and adjustments are taking place,” the coach said, “and owns that strong safety spot.”
A win Saturday puts Ridgefield back in the Class 2A state playoffs. It last qualified for state in 2021 when it reached the state quarterfinals.
Now that postseason football is here, Stromberg knows each game isn’t a guarantee. Not knowing when the season ends only fuels the senior.
“We’re going to put it all out there,” he said. … “What can I do to have more fun or to be better?”
