THIS WEEK IN FLHS GRIDIRON HISTORY - Game 5 – 2005

A WALK DOWN MEMORY LANE
By Dick Engelhardt

1945 – Frank Bennett’s CUTTERS, on their way to a Bergen-Passaic Interscholastic League (B-PIL) title in their first year in the league, tied the HORNETS of Passaic Valley High of Little Falls 0-0 in independent action. During 1944-46 and 1966 independently and 1967- 81 and 83 in the Northern New Jersey Interscholastic League (NNJIL), the HORNETS went 13-6-2 (.684) over our CUTTERS.

1955 – Bennett’s CUTTERS, on their way to another B-PIL title, beat the RAMS of Ramsey 19-7. During 1945-58 in the B-PIL and 1984-99 and 2002- present in the Northern Bergen Interscholastic League (NBIL), which the B-PIL became in 1956, our CUTTERS have compiled an astounding 27-6 (.818) record against the RAMS. They square off again October 22nd in Ramsey.

1965 – Frank Devens’ CUTTERS, on their way to their first NNJIL championship, shut out the RAMS of Lodi 14-0 in independent action. It was the 12th game in Fair Lawn’s marvelous 24 game non-losing streak 1964-66. During 1964-66 Fair Lawn went 3-0 (1.000) over Lodi. Fair Lawn’s first football game in 1943 saw Coach Marty Fischbein’s brand new CUTTERS lose 7-6 to Lodi in JV action.

1975 – Rich Szura’s CUTTERS lost a heart breaker 14-13 to the INDIANS of Wayne Valley in NNJIL action. During 1968-80 the INDIANS went 9-5 (.643) over our CUTTERS. They left the NNJIL for the Northern Hills Conference (NHC) Skyline Division in 1981 and Fair Lawn left the NNJIL to return to the NBIL in 1984.

1985 – Pete Natale’s CUTTERS, on their way to a 2nd consecutive NBIL Division 1 title, mauled the BEARS of Bergenfield 33-19. 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.

1995 – Mike Alberque’s CUTTERS were beaten 28-12 by the PATRIOTS of Wayne Hills in NBIL Division 1 action. 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.