THE GRIDIRON 3 - 2005

By Dick Engelhardt

The CUTTERS of Fair Lawn High suffered the 2nd largest defeat in their 63 season GRIDIRON history last Friday as they were shut out 48-0 by the powerful PATRIOTS of Wayne Hills in Northern Bergen Interscholastic League (NBIL) Division 1 action. Their largest margin of defeat ever was 52-0 at the hands of the HIGHWAYMEN of Teaneck in independent action in 1958. However, during 1954-58 independently and 1959-82 in the Northern New Jersey Interscholastic League (NNJIL) Fair Lawn went 17-11-1 (.607) over the HIGHWAYMEN. Rounding out the top 3 Fair Lawn losses was the 53-6 drubbing by the HORNETS of Passaic Valley in 1976 in NNJIL action. Our CUTTERS have posted huge victories over the years as well. The top 3 were Frank Bennett’s CUTTERS beating Bloomfield Tech 53 to 0 in 1952, Frank Devens’ CUTTERS dumping Bergenfield 54-6 in 1966 and Mike Alberque’s CUTTERS blasting Northern Valley, Demarest 48-0 in 1997. Over the years our CUTTERS have had many more blow out wins than blow out losses! This shut out loss was the 76th in FLHS history while our CUTTERS have shut out the opposition 81 times.

While Michael Liptrot lugged the pigskin and QB Vinnie Graff scrambled, the PATRIOTS nearly shut down Fair Lawn’s offense. A defensive highlight of the evening was Mike Keating’s interception of a Wayne Hills pass in the end zone. The PATRIOTS lead the 1984 – present rivalry 17-5 (.773). Fair Lawn’s last victory was in 1989 as Alberque’s playoff bound CUTTERS thrashed Wayne Hills 35-8. In the other NBIL Division 1 games the GREEN RAIDERS of Ramapo rolled over the NORSEMEN of Northern Valley, Demarest 33-0 and the GOLDEN KNIGHTS of Northern Valley, Old Tappan mauled the BEARS of Bergenfield 50-0. In Division 2, The HIGHLANDERS of Northern Highlands beat the RAMS of Ramsey 35-7 and the INDIANS of Pascack Valley scalped the BRAVES of Indian Hills 20-3. The THUNDERBIRDS of Mahwah brought the NBIL record against other leagues to 1-1 (.500) shutting out the RANGERS of Wallkill Valley of the Sussex County League 20-0. The RANGERS had edged Ramsey 9-7 in the season opener.

This Friday night our CUTTERS travel to Demarest to take on the NORSEMEN who are celebrating their 50th season of GRIDIRON action, in an NBIL Division 1 contest. Frank Bennett’s CUTTERS celebrated themselves in 1956 shutting out the brand new NORSEMEN 47-0! NV/Demarest comes into the game 1-1 (.500) and has been outscored 47-46 for an average 24-23 loss. Fair Lawn is 0-2 and has been outscored 86-0 for an average 43-0 loss. The NORSEMEN were shut out 33-0 by Ramapo while our CUTTERS were shut out 38-0 by the GREEN RAIDERS. Fair Lawn leads the 1956-58 and 1990- present rivalry 12-6 (.667). With a solid effort they can add to that record. From here it looks like Fair Lawn 21 – NV/Demarest 17. GO CUTTERS GO!!!