THIS WEEK IN FLHS GRIDIRON HISTORY Game 4 – 2005

A WALK DOWN MEMORY LANE
By Dick Engelhardt

1945 – Frank Bennett’s CUTTERS, on their way to a Bergen-Passaic Interscholastic League (BPIL) title in their maiden season in the league, shut out the MIGHTY MITES (now BEARS) of Bergenfield 32-0. Fair Lawn leads the 1945-48 and 1962-present rivalry 33-14 (.702). Our CUTTERS have faced the BEARS on Thanksgiving Day since 1994 and lead that rivalry 9-2 (.818) including last year’s thrilling 19-18 last second victory on a TD pass from Vinnie Graff to Stephan Macchiorola.

1955 – Bennett’s CUTTERS, on their way to their last B-PIL title, scalped the brand new INDIANS of Pascack Valley Regional High of Hillsdale 37-7. The B-PIL became the Northern Bergen Interscholastic League (NBIL) in 1956 and Fair Lawn left it in 1959 for a 25 year stint 1959-83 in the Northern New Jersey Interscholastic League (NNJIL). The 1955-56, 1984-85 and 1988-present rivalry is all even at 10-10-1 (.500). The teams square off again October 29th at Pascack Valley.

1965 – Frank Devens’ CUTTERS, on their way to an NNJIL title, shut out the RED RAIDERS of Cliffside Park 26-0. It was the 11th game of that wonderful 24 game non-losing streak 1964-66. Our CUTTERS took the 1959-66 rivalry 6-2 (.750).

1975 – Rich Szura’s CUTTERS beat the BOILERMAKERS of Garfield 16-6 in NNJIL action. Fair Lawn swept the 1971-75 series!

1985 – Pete Natale’s CUTTERS, on their way to their second consecutive NBIL Division 1 title since returning to the league in ’84, and a playoff appearance, thrashed the CARDINALS of Westwood 34-6. During 1943-44 and 1984-85 our CUTTERS went 3-1 (.750) against the CARDS.

1995 – Mike Alberque’s CUTTERS, on their way to a 7-2 (.778) season, were edged 28-21 by those pesky INDIANS of Pascack Valley.