THE GRIDIRON 11 - 2005

By Dick Engelhardt

The CUTTERS of Fair Lawn High continued their dominance over the BOILERMAKERS of Garfield trouncing them 47-7 last week in State Consolation Game action. During 1971-75 Fair Lawn went 5-0 (1.000) over Garfield in Northern New Jersey Interscholastic League (NNJIL) action. Our heroes got it going right away with QB Vinnie Graff passing and pitching out to Scott Leathem for yardage and Tom Spear picking up a key 1st down. The sure footed Randy Platter kicked a 32 yard field goal and our CUTTERS never looked back. Dan Kissane’s squib kick was recovered by Spear and Graff passed to Dan Mucha who raced to the 5. Graff bulled his way to the 2 and then in for the TD behind center Billy Burns and guards Tim Schofield and Chris Liptrot. With Stephan Macchiorola holding Platter kicked the extra point to put Fair Lawn up 10-0. Leathem’s 13 yard TD run off a great block by Kissane and Platter’s kick made it 17-7. Graff then passed to Spear for a 10 yard TD. The kick was blocked but Fair Lawn led 23-7. After Garfield scored, our CUTTERS uncorked a beauty. Graff passed to Michael Keating who passed back to Graff who took it 20 yards for the TD. Platter’s kick made it 30-7 Platter’s 27 yard field goal put Fair Lawn up 33-7 at the half! A thrilling fake punt had Dominick Rizzo taking the direct snap and racing to the 20. Leathem then ran for a TD and Platter’s kick made it 40-7. A shovel pass from Graff to Leathem picked up yardage and Spear’s 6 yard TD run and Platter’s kick closed out the 47-7 rout.

The “D” kept Garfield bottled up all night. Highlights included Burns and John Macko teaming up for a sack and Graff’s fumble recovery after a vicious hit by Michael Barchefski. Garfield Coach Steve Mucha does a good job with what talent he has. The Fair Lawn resident no doubt had mixed emotions as his son, Dan, took that Graff pass and raced to the Garfield 5!

Fair Lawn’s Northern Bergen Interscholastic League (NBIL) went 3-2 (.600) in State playoff action. The PATRIOTS of Wayne Hills demolished the HIGHWAYMEN of Teaneck 40-6 and the GREEN RAIDERS of Ramapo beat the MAROON RAIDERS of Nutley 33-9 in Group III while the NORSEMEN of Northern Valley, Demarest lost 12-3 to the INDIANS of Wayne Valley. The INDIANS of Pascack Valley shut out the HUSKIES of Dumont 20-0 in Group II while the BRAVES of Indian Hills were beaten 35-7 by the CHIEFS of Hopatcong.

In “Consolation” games, the NBIL went 6-0 (1.000) against other leagues. In addition to Fair Lawn’s impressive victory, the BEARS of Bergenfield downed the FALCONS of Manchester 35-14, the GOLDEN KNIGHTS of Northern Valley, Old Tappan stung the HORNETS of Passaic Valley 31-20, the HIGHLANDERS of Northern Highlands edged the HIGHLANDERS of West Morris 29-28, the RAMS of Ramsey mauled the PANTHERS of Midland Park 28-7 and the THUNDERBIRDS of Mahwah edged the MAROON RAIDERS of Englewood 22-20. The NBIL is 11-3 (.786) against other leagues so far in 2005!

Next week we’ll look at playoff action with Ramapo and Wayne Hills squaring off at Wayne Hills in Group III and Pascack Valley hosting Sparta in Group II and to Fair Lawn’s TURKEY DAY game at SASSO FIELD against Bergenfield. Until then, GO CUTTERS GO!!!