SOUTH WESTERN MUSTANGS GRIDIRON 2006-14

By Bill Engelhardt
________

Last Friday evening, November 24, the number 2 seeded Mustangs of South Western hosted the number 6 seeded Barons of Manheim Central at the Mustang Corral in the semifinal round of the class AAA District 3 playoffs and dethroned them with a 20-15 victory. The Barons had won the District 3 title for the last 3 years and 15 out of the last 17.

Quarterback J. C. Laughlin has added to his new school records with 20 touchdown passes for the season and 28 for his career. His 1,225-yards passing so far in 2006 already puts him in 1st place for season passing yardage, surpassing the record of 1,188-yards set by Doug Seidenstricker in 1990. His 900-yards passing in 2005 and 1,225 -yards so far in 2006 puts him in 2nd place on the school career passing yardage list with 2,125-yards.

The Barons opened the game by going three and out and punting to the Mustangs. The Mustangs started at their 38-yard line and advanced to midfield before Ben Fitzkee intercepted a pass at the Barons 6-yard line to end that drive. The Barons then ripped off a 16-play 94-yard drive, featuring passes of 13 and 18-yards to Zach Summy and 17-yards to Travis Nissley by quarterback Tylar Stauffer, some impressive running by David Hanselman, and a 3-yard touchdown plunge by Tony Ferrari. Justin Myer’s extra point kick put the Barons up 7-0 at 11:54 in the second quarter. The Barons overcame Chris Wilson’s sack of Stauffer for a 7-yard loss to keep the drive going.

The ball then went back and forth on three punts and Fitzkee ripped of a 65-yard jaunt for the Barons, to the Mustangs 15-yard line. After a couple of penalties and short runs, the Barons turned the ball over on downs at the Mustangs 29-yard line. The Mustangs then went on an 8-play 71-yard drive, featuring runs of 2 and 21-yards by Tim Smith, 7-yards by Eric Updegrove, and runs of 5 and 5-yards by quarterback J. C. Laughlin, that ended with Laughlin’s 10-yard touchdown pass to Updegrove with 50 seconds to go in the first half. The Barons took a 7-6 lead into halftime.

The Mustangs galloped into the second half as Aaron Repman returned the kickoff 39-yards to the Mustangs 45-yard line. The Mustangs then launched a 10-play 55-yard drive that featured 5 impressive sweeps around the left side by Updegrove, with Chad LaGore and Chris Wilson blasting a path. Updegrove’s 4-yard touchdown on a sweep and Laughlin’s 2-point conversion pass to Tim Smith put the Mustangs up 14-7 at 8:06 in the third quarter.

Tony Ferrari countered with a 38-yard return of the Mustangs kickoff to their 49-yard line. However, the Barons went three and out, including a Drew Snyder sack of Stauffer for a 2-yard loss, and punted. The Mustangs returned the favor by going three and out and punting to the Barons 13-yard line. A 7-play drive ended with Tim Smith’s interception of a Stauffer pass at the Mustangs 31-yard line. Updegrove gained 9-yards on three runs and Tim Smith gained 7-yards. Then Laughlin lofted a beautiful 53-yard touchdown pass to Drew Snyder with 10:38 left in the game and the Mustangs were up 20-7.

The Barons didn’t quit and countered with a 73-yard, 6-play drive. Stauffer’s 53-yard pass to Fitzkee (with Tim Smith’s tackle on the run saving the touchdown) was the featured play and Stauffer’s 7-yard touchdown pass to Ferrari, followed by Fitzkee’s 2-point conversion run, left the Mustangs up 20-15 with 8:32 left in the game.

The Mustangs punted on their next possession and the Barons advanced 29-yards to the Mustangs 29-yard line. Updegrove then sacked Stauffer for a 6-yard loss and the Barons pooch punted to the end zone. The Mustangs soon punted to the Barons 30-yard line. Stauffer completed a 7-yard pass to Zach Summy, lost a yard on a run, completed a 9-yard pass to Travis Nissley and a 5-yard pass to Summy. Then the Barons last hope ended with 5 seconds left in the game when Tim Smith intercepted a Stauffer pass and the Mustangs ran out the clock.

The Mustang faithful, in an estimated crowd of some 7,000, stormed the field in jubilation. The 2006 edition of the Mustangs became the first in school history to win 12 games and hope to become the first class AAA team in the York-Adams Interscholastic Athletic Association (YAIAA) to win a District 3 Championship.

Drew Snyder and Tim Smith led the Mustangs with 12 tackles each, followed by Chris Wilson with 11, Jesse Smith with 8, Jason Gigous and Duane Rowlette with 7 each, Dan Dukes with 6, Eric Updegrove with 5, Seth Barnes, Corwyn Gordon and Cody Shue with 4 each, and Jason Sneeringer with 3. A host of players followed with one or two tackles each. Gigous leads the Mustangs with 138 tackles for the season, putting him in 2nd place on the school record list for tackles in a season behind Justin Mummert’s 145. Jesse Smith, with 102 tackles, joins Gigous in the 100 plus club for the Mustangs. Sacks by Drew Snyder and Eric Updegrove, 2 sacks by Chris Wilson, 2 interceptions by Tim Smith, a strip of a pass from a Barons receiver by Seth Barnes, and pass defenses by Updegrove and Jesse Smith and pass hurries by Updegrove, Chad LaGore and Jesse Smith were highlights in the Mustangs defensive effort.

Aaron Repman returned a punt for 8-yards and 2 kickoffs for 54-yards, with the longest going for 39-yards. Drew Snyder kicked off 4 times for 188-yards, with the longest going for 53-yards, and he punted 5 times for 232-yards, for a 46.4-yard average, with the longest going for 58-yards, for the Mustangs.

Bryan Bosley, Donnie Brady, Dan Dukes, Jason Gigous, Corwyn Gordon, Chad LaGore, Dale Mills, Cody Shue, Jesse Smith, Jason Sneeringer, Drew Snyder, Eric Updegrove and Chris Wilson manned the offensive and defensive line and linebacker positions. Seth Barnes, Duane Rowlette, Tim Smith, Mike Stremmel and Kory Yelton patrolled the secondary.

The South Western Mustangs gained 168-yards rushing and 73-yards passing for a total of 241 yards of offense for the game. Tim Smith led the Mustangs with 73-yards rushing (He leads the team with 971-yards on 147 carries for the season), followed by Eric Updegrove with 53-yards, including the 4-yard touchdown, Jason Gigous with 27-yards, J. C. Laughlin with 15-yards, Aaron Repman with 2-yards, and Donnie Brady with minus 2-yards. Quarterback J. C. Laughlin completed 3 of 10 passes for 73-yards, including the 10-yard touchdown to Eric Updegrove and the 53-yard touchdown to Drew Snyder for the Mustangs. Tim Smith caught the other pass for 10-yards, and he caught the 2-point conversion pass from J. C. Laughlin. Snyder leads the team with 503 yards on 18 receptions for the season.

The Manheim Central Barons gained 158-yards rushing and 148-yards passing for a total of 306- yards of offense for the game. Ben Fitzkee led the Barons rushing attack with 70-yards, followed by David Hanselman with 37-yards, Nate Groff with 33-yards (He had 863-yards rushing and 29 touchdowns coming into the game), J. C. Evans with 18-yards, Tony Ferrari with 6-yards, including the 3-yard touchdown, and Tylar Stauffer with minus 6-yards. Quarterback Tylar Stauffer completed 9 of 18 passes for the 148-yards, including the 7-yard touchdown to Tony Ferrari, 5 passes for 57-yards to Zach Summy, 2 for 30-yards to Travis Nissley, and 1 for 53-yards to Ben Fitzkee for the Barons.

The 18-member Mustangs Cheer Leading squad was very impressive as they roused the many faithful Mustangs fans among the spirited hometown crowd. The Barons Cheer Leaders countered with a crowd rousing performance for the many faithful fans that made the long trip to the Mustang Corral.

The 110 member strong South Western Mustang Marching Band, 9-time Cavalcade of Bands Champion, a 2000 Tournament of Bands Champion and US Scholastic Band Champion provided the pre-game entertainment with the 2006 musical program entitled “Colourful Rythms,” which featured musical themes from the Millennium Celebration at Epcot Center, including “Time Prologue,” “Chaos,” “Life” and “Celebration.” Then followed the main theme from the Cirque du Soleil production, “Journey of Man” and “Tribal Mustang.” The closing number was a “lilting” Irish melody leading to the majestic strains of “We Go On.” The Barons Marching Band put on a rousing halftime program entitled “Rock The World.”

The Mustangs of South Western are 12-1-0 overall and 7-0-0 in York Area Interscholastic Athletic Association (YAIAA) Division I league play.

Don Seidenstricker has a 166-63-1 (.725) record as coach of the Mustangs, who have a career record of 307-181-8. The results of the 496 games played in the history of the South Western Mustangs are a career .629 winning percentage and a .635 non-losing percentage.

The number 2 seeded Mustangs will meet the number 8 seeded Patriots of Red Land at Hershey Park Stadium for the District 3 Championship at 7PM on December 1. The Patriots (12-1 overall, 6-1 Mid-Penn Keystone Division) are coming off of a 21-17 victory over the number 4 seeded Colonials of New Oxford. From here it looks like the Mustangs are ready to continue their winning ways and move on to the State playoff hunt. GO MUSTANGS GO.

THE GRIDIRON 13-2006

By Dick Engelhardt

The CUTTERS of Fair Lawn High closed out their 2006 season 1-9 (.100) with a heart breaking 6-0 loss to the BEARS of Bergenfield on a rain soaked Thanksgiving morning. In their 64 season GRIDIRON history our CUTTERS have been shut out 81 times and have shut out their opponents 81 times. Our heroes came out smoking as Sam Sierra pulled off a neat onside kick that Tommy Spear recovered. However, their drive, featuring a Spear run for a 1st down on 4th and a pass from QB Mike Barchefski to Sierra, died at the Bergenfield 15 yard line. The scoreless first half ended with passes for 1st downs from Barchefski to Spear and Dan Mucha. After the BEARS went ahead 6-0, Barchefski tackled the Bergenfield runner, Kevin Ramishvilli pulled the ball loose and Alberto Zabalaga grabbed it and electrified the crowd racing for a TD that was nullified when the officials ruled that the runner had been stopped before giving up the ball. After Barchefski intercepted a pass, QB Nick Graff threw to Spear for a first down and Barchefski threw to Mucha and Joey Visaggio for others but time ran out for Fair Lawn.

There was no “quit” in our CUTTERS who battled all the way. Ramishvilli recovered 2 fumbles, Barchefski made a great tackle after an interception. Dom Rizzo recovered a fumble, Lasha Malazonia sacked the QB and Sergio LaPlaca, Melkis Rosario and Mina Youssef made big plays. Barchefski drove a Bergenfield runner out of bounds at the 1 preventing a second BEARS TD. Fair Lawn leads the 1945-48 and 1962-present rivalry 33-16 (.673) and the 1994-present Turkey Day rivalry 9-4 (.692). The 2006 CUTTERS were the third team in FLHS history to have only 1 victory. Frank Bennett’s 1950 CUTTERS beat only the Bears of Hawthorne 27-20 and Mike Alberque’s 1993 CUTTERS beat only the Indians of Pascack Valley 17-6. Our “never-say-die CUTTERS” beat the Wildcats of High Point 14-7 in State consolation game action and avoided becoming the 4th Fair Lawn team to have a winless season. Frank Bennett’s 1960 CUTTERS, Rich Szura’s 1976 CUTTERS and Pete Natale’s 1982 CUTTERS suffered that fate. Fair Lawn’s overall 1943-2006 record is a winning one at 294-269-14 (.522) and our CUTTERS have outscored their opponents 9,464 to 8,953.

Fair Lawn’s NBIL Division 1 went 1-2 (333) against Division 2. Our CUTTERS lost to Bergenfield and the HIGHLANDERS of Northern Highlands were shut out 30-0 by the INDIANS of Pascack Valley while the GREEN RAIDERS of Ramapo beat the BRAVES of Indian Hills 35-25. Division 1 took the 2006 interdivisional series 13-10 (.565). In NBIL Division 1 action the GOLDEN KNIGHTS of Northern Valley/Old Tappan shut out the NORSEMEN of NV/Demarest 29-0. In Division 2 the RAMS of Ramsey surprised the THUNDERBIRDS of Mahwah 35-9 and earned a three way championship with Mahwah and Pascack Valley.

As they look ahead to 2007 our CUTTERS will miss guys like Joe Acuna, Mike Capone, Andrew Jaquez, Alnardo Lora, Mucha, Rizzo, Eric Savvides, Sierra, Spear and Youssef. But a strong group of players could return including Barchefski, Ahmet Basci Robert Burns, Spencer Carter, Bruce Cheifitz, Avi Cohen, Matthew Brunetti, Steven Dauster, Joe DiGrande, Graff, Eitan Karavani, LaPlaca, Malizonia, Nick Nobre, Josh Pinsker, John Quino, Ramishvilli, Rosario, John Samoilis, Nathan Shikhel, Randy Tomlin, Joey Visaggio, Steven Young, and Zabalaga. And the Freshman team beat Wayne Hills! I can hardly wait for next season. Until then, GO CUTTERS GO!!!

TURKEY DAY IN FLHS GRIDIRON HISTORY 2006

A WALK DOWN MEMORY LANE
By Dick Engelhardt

1946 – Frank Bennett’s CUTTERS shared the Bergen-Passaic interscholastic League (B-PIL) title with the BUCANNEERS of Bogota. On Thanksgiving morning they were edged 19-18 by the MAROONS of Ridgewood who now led the 3 year old Annual Classic 3-0 (1.000). Victory would come in ’47 for our CUTTERS!

1956 – Bennett’s CUTTERS were edged 7-6 by the MAROONS who took the championship of the renamed Northern Bergen interscholastic League (NBIL). Ridgewood led the series 8-5 (.615).

1966 – Frank Devens’ CUTTERS were champions of the Northern New Jersey Interscholastic League (NNJIL) and carried a 24 game non-losing streak into the Turkey Day clash with the MAROONS that began with game 3 in 1964. The MAROONS shocked our CUTTERS 40-34 before a crowd of 13,000 plus at what is now SASSO FIELD and led the rivalry 13-8-2 (.619).

1976 – Rich Szura’s CUTTERS were beaten 43-14 by the MAROONS in NNJIL action. Ridgewood led the rivalry 22-9-2 (.710).

1986 – Pete Natale’s CUTTERS shut out the PATRIOTS of Wayne Hills 6-0 in NBIL Division 1 action. Fair Lawn led the series 3-0 (1.000). The 1984-93 Turkey Day rivalry wound up knotted at 10-10 (.500).

1996 – Mike Alberque’s CUTTERS mauled the BEARS of Bergenfield 37-7 in NBIL Division 1 action. Our CUTTERS led the Turkey Day series 3-0 (1.000). Going into the 2006 game Fair Lawn leads the 1945-48 and 1962-present rivalry 33-15 (.688) and the 1994-present Turkey Day rivalry 9-3 (.750).

THE GRIDIRON 12-2006

By Dick Engelhardt

Fair Lawn’s Northern Bergen Interscholastic League (NBIL) was proud as a Peacock last week as two of its teams advanced to the State playoff finals. In North Jersey, Section 1, Group III action the NBIL Division 1 champion PATRIOTS of Wayne Hills shut out the HORNETS of Passaic Valley and the Northern Hills Conference (NHC) Skyline Division 33-0. Wayne Hills leads the 1984 – present rivalry with our CUTTERS 18-5 (.783). Fair Lawn’s last victory was in 1989 when Mike Alberque’s NBIL Division 1 champion and playoff bound CUTTERS thrashed the PATRIOTS 35-8. During 1944-46 and 1966 in independent action and 1967- 81 and 83 in the Northern New Jersey Interscholastic League (NNJIL) the HORNETS went 13-6-2 (.684) over our CUTTERS. Wayne Hills will face the VIKINGS of Parsippany Hills for the title.

In Group II the NBIL Division 2 INDIANS of Pascack Valley shut out the CHIEFS of Hopatcong and the Sussex County Interscholastic League (SCIL) 22-0 breaking the 2 year streak of losing to SCIL teams. Pascack Valley leads the 1955-56, 1984-85 and 1988-present rivalry with Fair Lawn 12-10-1 (.545). The NBIL Division 2 THUNDERBIRDS of Mahwah lost 34-7 to the Bergen County Scholastic League (BCSL) American Division CARDINALS of Westwood. The 2-1 (.667) weekend record against other leagues has the NBIL ahead 9-6 (.600) on the season. Pascack Valley faces Westwood in the finals.

On Thanksgiving Day our CUTTERS travel to Bergenfield to take on the BEARS. Fair Lawn leads the 1945-48 and 1962-present rivalry 33-15 (.688) and the 1994-present Turkey Day rivalry 9-3 (.750). Many of the games have been thrillers. Last year’s battle at SASSO FIELD went back and forth with the BEARS pulling out a 31-24 victory. The 2004 game ended virtually on the last play. With 4 seconds on the clock, QB Vinnie Graff threw 16 yards to Stephen Macchairola in the corner of the end zone to put Fair Lawn ahead 19-18. Tommy Spear covered the squib kick and it was over. In 1978 Graff’s uncle, Richie, threw a 25 yard TD pass to Steve Jubelt to beat the MAROONS of Ridgewood 15-7 on Turkey Day as time expired. Screams of “He caught it! He caught it!” were heard then and 26 years later, Graff’s nephew teamed up with Macchairola to do it again!

And now QB Nick Graff leads our CUTTERS into battle. Fair Lawn and Bergenfield are both 1-8 (.111). Bergenfield has been outscored an average 27-10 and Fair Lawn has been outscored an average of 26-6. Our “never-say-die” CUTTERS can win this one. From here it looks like Fair Lawn 21 – Bergenfield 13. GO CUTTERS GO!!!

SOUTH WESTERN MUSTANGS GRIDIRON 2006-13

By Bill Engelhardt
________

Last Friday evening, November 17, the number 2 seeded Mustangs of South Western hosted the number 7 seeded Indians of Susquehanna Township in the quarterfinal round of the class AAA District 3 playoffs and eked out a 35-34 victory in a thriller. Old reliable Tim Smith was the star of the game with 5 touchdowns (4 rushing with runs of 7, 1, 57 and 5-yards and 1 on a 29-yard pass reception). Smith has 1 interception return, 18 rushing, and 3 receiving touchdowns for the season. His 21 touchdowns tie him with Andrew Kern (2000) and Joe Myers (1991) for first place in the school record book. His 128 points scored for the season puts him in 2nd place behind Andrew Kern’s 132 points in 2000.

Quarterback J. C. Laughlin has set new school records with 18 touchdown passes for the season and 26 for his career. His 1,152-yards passing so far in 2006 already puts him in 2nd place for season passing yardage, 36-yards behind the record of 1,188-yards set by Doug Seidenstricker in 1990. His 900-yards passing in 2005 and 1,152-yards so far in 2006 already puts him in 3rd place on the school career passing yardage list with 2,052-yards.

The Mustangs opened the game with a 6 play 67-yard touchdown drive that featured 2 runs for 4-yards by Jason Gigous, a 49-yard pass from Laughlin to Drew Snyder, a 2-yard run by Eric Updegrove, a 19-yard run by Tim Smith and a 7-yard touchdown jaunt by Tim Smith. The extra point kick was missed and the Mustangs were up 6-0 at 9:40 in the first quarter. After an exchange of punts the Mustangs started another 6-play 67-yard touchdown drive. Featured plays were Laughlin’s passes of 27 and 32-yards to Jesse Smith and Tim Smiths 1-yard touchdown plunge. A 2-point conversion pass from Laughlin to Jesse Smith upped the score to 14-0 with 1:59 left in the first quarter.

The Indians went three and out and punted. The Mustangs then went on a 3 play 70-yard scoring drive that featured Eric Updegrove’s 15-yard jaunt and Tim Smith’s beautiful 57-yard touchdown run. The extra point kick was missed and the Mustangs were up 20-0 at the 11:12 point of the second quarter.

The Indians then came to life with an 80-yard 9-play drive. The drive featured runs of 17 and 9 yards by sophomore sensation Gabriel Oliver, a 26-yard pass from Quarterback Anthony Wagner to Kirk Peters, a 25-yard pass from Wagner to Oliver and a 7-yard touchdown strike from Wagner to Peters. A 5-yard penalty and a loss of 11-yards didn’t stop the drive, and the score was 20-7 in favor of the Mustangs at 7:17 in the second quarter.

After an exchange of punts the Mustangs took off on a 7 play 59-yard drive. This drive featured a 5-yard run by Gigous, a 4-yard run by Tim Smith, a no gain run by Smith, a 4-yard pass from Laughlin to Drew Snyder, and a 29-yard touchdown pass from Laughlin to Tim Smith. Snyder’s extra point kick upped the score to 27-7 with 1:05 left in the half.

The second half opened with an exchange of punts and then the Indians mounted a 5 play 52-yard drive. Quarterback Anthony Wagner ripped off a 26-yard run, Obinna Rajis added another 9-yards, a 5-yard penalty against the Indians followed and then Oliver gained 6-yards and Rajis gained 15-yards to the 1-yard line. Wagner’s 1-yard touchdown plunge and Carlin Carter’s extra point kick narrowed the score to 27-14 at 5:46 in the third quarter. Ashton Burno recovered a Mustangs fumble at their 11-yard line to put the Indians right back in business and 4 plays later Wagner tossed an 8-yard touchdown pass to Kirk Peters. Carter’s extra point kick made the score 27-21 at 2:24 in the third quarter.

The Mustangs countered with a 10 play 65-yard drive. This drive featured 4 sweeps around the end for 56-yards by Updegrove, with pulling guard Chad LaGore leading the way. Tim Smith’s 5-yard touchdown run and Laughlin’s 2-point conversion pass to Tim Smith upped the score to 35-21 at the 10:12 point in the 4th quarter.

The Indians then made it very interesting with a 4 play 51-yard drive. Wagner’s 25-yard pass to Oliver was followed by Oliver’s 25-yard touchdown jaunt and Carter’s extra point kick narrowed the score to 35-28 with 8:30 left in the game. The Mustangs went three and out and the Indians went on a 6 play 64-yard drive, aided by a 10-yard penalty. The drive featured a 19-yard run by Wynton Williams and another 1-yard touchdown plunge by Wagner. The plucky Indians were going to go for the win with a 2-point conversion but a penalty put them back to the 8-yard line. The snap for an extra point attempt was botched and Carlin Carter managed to complete a pass to Kirk Peters who was stopped on a game saving tackle short of the goal line by Tim Smith and the Mustangs preserved a 35-34 lead with 4:56 left in the game.

The Indians last hope ended with 24 seconds left in the game when Drew Snyder broke up a 4th down pass attempt and the Mustangs ran out the clock.

Jason Gigous and Tim Smith led the Mustangs with 12 tackles each (Gigous leads the Mustangs with an unofficial total of 130 tackles for the season, unofficial because the film is still under review for the defensive stats for one game), followed by Jesse Smith with 11, Chris Wilson with 10, Seth Barnes with 8, Drew Snyder with 7, Jason Sneeringer with 6, Chad LaGore with 4, and Dan Dukes, Corwyn Gordon and Dale Mills with 3 each. A host of players followed with one or two tackles each. 130 tackles would put Gigous in 2nd place on the school record list for tackles in a season, behind Justin Mummert’s 145. Corwyn Gordon’s big sack and big pass breakups by Chris Wilson and Drew Snyder were highlights in the Mustangs defensive effort, which caused the Indians to misfire on 8 of their 13 passes.

Seth Barnes returned 2 punts for 11-yards, with the longest going for 11-yards, and a kickoff for 10-yards, Aaron Repman returned a punt for no yards and a kickoff for 27-yards, Donnie Brady returned a kickoff for 9-yards, and Tim Smith returned a kickoff for 5-yards. Drew Snyder kicked off 7 times for 372-yards, including 2 touchbacks, and he punted 5 times for 147-yards, for a 29.4-yard average, with the longest going for 39-yards, for the Mustangs.

Bryan Bosley, Donnie Brady, Dan Dukes, Jason Gigous, Corwyn Gordon, Chad LaGore, Dale Mills, Cody Shue, Jesse Smith, Jason Sneeringer, Drew Snyder, Eric Updegrove and Chris Wilson manned the offensive and defensive line and linebacker positions. Seth Barnes, Duane Rowlette, Tim Smith, Mike Stremmel and Kory Yelton patrolled the secondary.

The South Western Mustangs gained 181-yards rushing and 134-yards passing for a total of 315 yards of offense for the game. Tim Smith led the Mustangs rushing attack with 109-yards and 4 touchdowns, followed by Eric Updegrove with 74-yards, Jason Gigous with 5-yards, J. C. Laughlin with no gain, and Donnie Brady with minus 7-yards. Quarterback Laughlin completed 7 of 12 passes for the 134-yards (Giving him 1,152-yards for the season), including the 29-yard touchdown to Tim Smith, 3 passes for 45-yards to Drew Snyder, 2 for 59-yards to Jesse Smith, and 1 for 1-yard to Eric Updegrove for the Mustangs.

The Susquehanna Township Indians gained 232-yards rushing and 73-yards passing for a total of 305- yards of offense for the game. Gabriel Oliver led the Indians rushing attack with 114-yards, including a 25-yard touchdown, followed by Obinna Rajis with 56-yards, Anthony Wagner with 32-yards, Wynton Williams with 32-yards, and Xavier Garfield with minus 2-yards. Quarterback Anthony Wagner completed 5 passes for 73-yards, including the 2 touchdowns to Kirk Peters (who caught 3 passes for 42-yards), and 2 for 31-yards to Gabriel Oliver for the Indians.

The 18-member Mustangs Cheer Leading squad was very impressive as they roused the many faithful Mustangs fans among the spirited hometown crowd. The Indians Cheer Leaders countered with a crowd rousing performance for the many faithful fans that made the long trip to the Mustang Corral.

The 110 member strong South Western Mustang Marching Band, 9-time Cavalcade of Bands Champion, a 2000 Tournament of Bands Champion and US Scholastic Band Champion provided the pre-game entertainment with the 2006 musical program entitled “Colourful Rythms,” which featured musical themes from the Millennium Celebration at Epcot Center, including “Time Prologue,” “Chaos,” “Life” and “Celebration.” Then followed the main theme from the Cirque du Soleil production, “Journey of Man” and “Tribal Mustang.” The closing number was a “lilting” Irish melody leading to the majestic strains of “We Go On.” The Indians Marching Band provided a moving halftime program.

The Mustangs of South Western are 11-1-0 overall and 7-0-0 in York Area Interscholastic Athletic Association (YAIAA) Division I league play.

Don Seidenstricker has a 165-63-1 (.724) record as coach of the Mustangs, who have a career record of 306-181-8. The results of the 495 games played in the history of the South Western Mustangs are a career .628 winning percentage and a .634 non-losing percentage.

Next week the number 2 seeded Mustangs will host the number 6 seeded Barons of Manheim Central in the semifinals of the District 3 playoffs. The Barons (11-1 overall, 6-1 Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 2) are coming off of a 26-19 overtime victory over the Blazers of Daniel Boone. From here it looks like the Mustangs are ready to continue their winning ways and move on to the District 3 AAA Championship in the playoff hunt. GO MUSTANGS GO.

SOUTH WESTERN MUSTANGS GRIDIRON 2006-12

By Bill Engelhardt
________

Last Friday evening, November 10, the number 2 seeded Mustangs of South Western hosted the number 15 seeded Spartans of Garden Spot in the first round of the class AAA District 3 playoffs and romped to a 38-14 victory. The Mustangs will host the number 7 seeded Indians of Susquehanna Township in the quarterfinals of the District 3 playoffs next.

Quarterback J. C. Laughlin set a new record for touchdown passes in a season with 17. His 8 touchdown passes in 2005 and 17 so far in 2006 sets a new school career record of 25, 1 ahead of the record of 24 previously held by Andy Adams. His 1,018-yards so far in 2006 already puts him in 4th place for season passing yardage, 170-yards behind the record of 1,188-yards set by Doug Seidenstricker in 1990. His 900-yards passing in 2005 and 1,018-yards so far in 2006 already puts him in 3rd place on the school career passing yardage list with 1,918-yards.

Drew Snyder set a new school record for touchdown receptions in a season wuth 9, surpassing the record of 7 set by Tim Rill in 1989 and Zach Krise in 2003. His 4 touchdown receptions in 2005 and 9 so far in 2006 already places him in a tie with Tim Rill for the school career record of 13. His 892 career pass reception yards to date puts him in 2nd place on the school record list, behind Tim Rill’s 992-yards. Snyder also set a new school record for field goals in a career with 19. He kicked 7 this year and his field goal of 50-yards set a new school record for distance, breaking his own record of 47-yards. With 10 touchdowns, 33 extra points and 7 field goals, Snyder has accounted for 114 points this year. His 123 career punts for 4,601-yards so far puts him in 2nd place on the school career punting average list with an average of 37.4-yards. It was noted that his 2 booming punts, 7 booming kickoffs and 5 booming extra point kicks in this game had the members of the press ooing and ahing at every one.

The Spartans 78-yard 14 play opening drive, featuring a 32-yard jaunt and a 9-yard juant by workhorse Ross Shober and Tyler Horst’s 2 passes for 20-yards set up a 6-yard touchdown pass to Weston Martin. David Stoltzfus kicked the extra point and the Spartans took the 7-0 lead at 6:57 in the first quarter.

The Mustangs answered right back with their own 78-yard 15 play drive, featuring 7 runs for 30-yards by the YAIAA Division I Player of the Year Tim Smith, 4 runs for 29-yards by Eric Updegrove 3 runs for 12-yards by Jason Gigous and a 7-yard run by quarterback J. C. Laughlin, ending in Smith’s 2-yard touchdown plunge. Drew Snyder’s extra point tied the game at 7 at 1:11 in the first quarter and the Mustangs took off from there.

The Spartans gained 21-yards on 5 plays and punted. The Mustangs took over on their 30-yard line and immediately J. C. Laughlin launched a picture perfect 70-yard touchdown strike to Drew Snyder. Snyder’s extra point kick upped the score to 14-7 in favor of the Mustangs at 10:15 of the second quarter. The Spartans then had a brief possession that involved a 2-yard run, 2 incomplete passes and 2 penalties, forcing a punt from their 12-yard line. The Mustangs took over at midfield and a 7 play drive, featuring 2 carries for 14-yards by Updegrove and 5 carries for 36-yards by Tim Smith, ended in Smith’s second touchdown, a 5-yard plunge. Snyder’s extra point kick put the Mustangs up 21-7 at 6:49.

On their next possession the Spartans got nowhere and punted from the 20-yard line. The low kick was handled by Jason Sneeringer at the line and he returned it to the Spartans 9-yard line for the Mustangs. The Mustangs turned the ball over on downs at the 1-yard line. The Spartans, behind the running of Ross Shober and Brandon McGarvey, got out to the 34-yard line. Tim Smith then intercepted a Spartans pass and returned it 34-yards to the 21-yard line. Updegrove ran to the 19 and 2 incomplete passes led to a 36-yard field goal by Drew Snyder (his 7th of the season and 19th of his career). The Mustangs were up 24-7 with 26 seconds left in the first half. Corwyn Gordan recovered a Spartans fumble on their first play from scrimmage at their 18-yard line but the Mustangs fumbled it right back as the clock ran out for the first half.

The Mustangs opened the second half by going three and out and punted. Snyder’s 54-yard punt put the Spartans at their 15-yard line and they soon punted to the Mustangs, who took over at their 23-yard line. A penalty moved them back to the 13 and Tim Smith ripped off a 61-yard jaunt, sheddimg tacklers as he went, to the Spartans 26-yard line. Three plays later Laughlin connected with Jesse Smith for a 21-yard touchdown strike. Snyder’s extra point kick upped the score to 31-7 at 5:42 in the third quarter.

After a series of punts, the Mustangs launched a 67-yard drive, featuring an 8-yard pass to Kory Yelton and a 21-yard pass to Updegrove, that ended with Tim Smith scoring on a beautiful 34-yard run. Snyder’s extra point upped the score to 38-7 with 6:10 remaining in the game. The Mustangs ceremoniously pulled the starters and the second team finished the game. A 65-yard Spartans drive, highlighted by a 45-yard pass from Tyler Horst to Bradley Troop, led to a 3-yard touchdown run by Ross Shober, and David Stoltzfus added the extra point to close out the scoring at 38-14. Cody Shue recovered the ensuing onsides kick for the Mustangs and they ran out the clock.

Tentatively, Jason Gigous led the Mustangs with 12 tackles (he leads the Mustangs with 118 tackles for the season). Exact defensive stats are still pending. The fumble recovery by Corwyn Gordon and the interception by Tim Smith were highlights of the Mustangs vaunted defense.

Aaron Repman returned a punt for no yards and he returned 2 kickoffs for 32-yards, with the longest going for 17-yards. Seth Barnes lost 3-yards on the only other punt the Mustanmgs received. Drew Snyder kicked off 7 times for 362-yards, including 2 touchbacks, and he punted 2 times for 100-yards, for a 50-yard average, with the longest going for 54-yards, for the Mustangs.

Bryan Bosley, Donnie Brady, Dan Dukes, Jason Gigous, Corwyn Gordon, Chad LaGore, Dale Mills, Cody Shue, Jesse Smith, Jason Sneeringer, Drew Snyder, Eric Updegrove and Chris Wilson manned the offensive and defensive line and linebacker positions. Seth Barnes, Duane Rowlette, Tim Smith, Mike Stremmel and Kory Yelton patrolled the secondary.

The South Western Mustangs gained 286-yards rushing and 120-yards passing for a total of 406 yards of offense for the game. Tim Smith led the Mustangs rushing attack with 219-yards and 3 touchdowns, followed by Eric Updegrove with 43-yards, Jason Gigous with 25-yards, Pete Kudla with 2-yards, and Chris Helwig with 1-yard. Donnie Brady and quarterback J. C. Laughlin rushed for minus yardage. Laughlin completed 5 of 9 passes for the 120-yards (Giving him 1,018-yards for the season), including the 70-yard touchdown to Drew Snyder and the 21-yard touchdown to Jesses Smith, 2 passes for 21-yards to Updegrove and a pass for 8-yards to Kory Yelton for the Mustangs.

The Garden Spot Spartans gained 84-yards rushing and 143-yards passing for a total of 227- yards of offense for the game. Ross Shober led the Spartans rushing attack with 89-yards and a touchdown, followed by Brandon McGarvey with 11-yards, Anderson Beamer with minus 2-yards, and quarterback Tyler Horst with minus 14-yards. Horst completed 12 passes for the 143-yards; 4 for 35-yards to Sean Behan, 4 for 34-yards and a touchdown to Weston Martin, 2 for 55-yards to Bradley Troop, and 2 for 19-yards to Zachary Hess for the Spartans.

Joe Strangarity, with 17 tackles, Charlie Bellitto with 13, Ben Busch with 11, Dustin Tennis with 7, and Anderson Beamer with 5, led the Spartans defensive effort.

The 18-member Mustangs Cheer Leading squad was very impressive as they roused the many faithful Mustangs fans among the hometown crowd. The Spartans Cheer Leaders countered with a spirited crowd rousing performance for the faithful fans who made the long trip to the Mustang Corral.

The 110 member strong South Western Mustang Marching Band, 9-time Cavalcade of Bands Champion, a 2000 Tournament of Bands Champion and US Scholastic Band Champion provided the pregame entertainment with the 2006 musical program entitled “Colourful Rythms,” which featured musical themes from the Millennium Celebration at Epcot Center, including “Time Prologue,” “Chaos,” “Life” and “Celebration.” Then followed the main theme from the Cirque du Soleil production, “Journey of Man” and “Tribal Mustang.” The closing number was a “lilting” Irish melody leading to the majestic strains of “We Go On.” The Spartans Marching Band provided a stirring halftime program.

The Mustangs of South Western are 10-1-0 overall and 7-0-0 in York Area Interscholastic Athletic Association (YAIAA) Division I league play.

Don Seidenstricker has a 164-63-1 (.722) record as coach of the Mustangs, who have a career record of 305-181-8. The results of the 494 games played in the history of the South Western Mustangs are a career .628 winning percentage and a .634 non-losing percentage.

Next week the number 2 seeded Mustangs will host the number 7 seeded Indians of Susquehanna Township in the quarterfinals of the District 3 playoffs. The Indians (5-6 overall, 3-4 Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 2) are coming off of a 31-6 victory over Lampeter-Strasberg. From here it looks like the Mustangs are ready to continue their winning ways and move on to the semifinals in the playoff hunt. GO MUSTANGS GO.

THE GRIDIRON 11 - 2006

By Dick Engelhardt

The Crimson and Gray clad CUTTERS of Fair Lawn High picked up their first victory beating the Red and Grey clad WILDCATS of High Point 14-7 last week in State “Consolation Game” action. Fair Lawn is 6-2 (.750) in consolation games since they began in 1998. It was uncanny seeing the WILDCATS come out looking an awful lot like our CUTTERS. With QB Nick Graff throwing to Tommy Spear and Dan Mucha for yardage our heroes moved the ball. Mike Barchefski, Sergio LaPlaca, Lasha Malazonia, and Mina Youssef made big plays on “D” keeping the WILDCATS caged up. Ahmet Basci recovered a fumble and Kevin Ramishvilli sacked the QB. Mucha took a pass to the 22, Spear picked up yardage and Dom Rizzo bulled his way 4 yards for the TD. With Barchefski holding, Sam Sierra kicked the extra point and Fair Lawn led 7-0. Our CUTTERS pulled out all the stops including a fake punt but the WILDCATS scored and it was 7-7 at the half. Spear raced 62 yards for a TD. A penalty against High Point led to Fair Lawn going for 2 points but Graff’s pass to Spear was nullified by a penalty. No matter. Barchefski and Sierra teamed up for the kick and Fair Lawn led 14-7. Then our “never-say-die” CUTTERS held on. Barchefski and Ramishvilli teamed up to stop High Point on 4th down, Ramishvilli blocked a pass and Graff made a hellacious tackle on a punt return. Fair Lawn fans were delirious with joy as Graff took a knee to end the game. Our CUTTERS averted what could have been the 4th winless season in their 64 year GRIDIRON history. Frank Bennett’s 1960 CUTTERS, Rich Szura’s 1976 CUTTERS and Pete Natale’s 1982 CUTTERS were winless.

On Radio Talk shows in Sussex County it was said that Sussex County Interscholastic League (SCIL) teams had gotten the better of Bergen County teams in playoff and consolation games in recent years and High point would coast to victory over Fair Lawn. I guess our CUTTERS showed em! They made my 14-10 victory prediction look good. Fair Lawn’s Northern Bergen Interscholastic League (NBIL) went 2-1 (.667) against other leagues in playoff games. In Group III action Wayne Hills beat fellow NBIL member Northern Valley/Old Tappan 37-7. In Group II action Mahwah beat Dumont 28-7 and Pascack Valley beat Kittatinny 13-6 while Ramsey lost 41-13 to Hopatcong. In consolation action the NBIL went 3-3 (.500) against other leagues. In addition to Fair Lawn’s victory, Northern Valley/Demarest shut out Wallkill Valley 24-0 and Ramapo beat Nutley 35-28 while Bergenfield was beaten 30-8 by Hackensack, Indian Hills was edged 34-31 by Newton and Northern Highlands lost 34-6 to River Dell. On the year so far the NBIL is 7-5 (.583) against other leagues.

Next week we’ll look at round 2 playoff action and ahead to Fair Lawn’s Thanksgiving Day game at Bergenfield. Until then, GO CUTTERS GO!!!

SECOND ROUND OR FINALS IN FLHS GRIDIRON HISTORY 2005

A WALK DOWN MEMORY LANE
By Dick Engelhardt

The State playoff system began in 1974. Before that, champions were awarded based on power points. Since then titles have been decided on The GRIDIRON.

1980 – Pete Natale’s CUTTERS shared the Northern New Jersey Interscholastic League (NNJIL) title with Clifton and Passaic Valley. In the 1st round of the State Group IV playoffs they roared from behind 7-0, 12-0, 12-7 and 18-7 to beat the INDIANS of Passaic and the old Passaic Valley Conference (PVC) 27-18 at GIANTS STADIUM. In the finals the HORNETS of Passaic Valley shut our CUTTERS out 20-0 ending Fair Lawn’s 9-2 (.818) dream season.

1989 – Mike Alberque’s CUTTERS were Northern Bergen Interscholastic League (NBIL) Division 1 champions at 5-0 (1.000). In the 1st round of the States they upset the BRUINS of North Bergen and the Hudson County Interscholastic Athletic Association (HCIAA) 14-7. In the 2nd round they led the RED WINGS of Hoboken and the HCIAA 14-0 and the RED WINGS fumbled and Fair Lawn recovered. After the play an official said it wasn’t a fumble. Everyone at Hoboken’s John F. Kennedy Stadium knew it was. This “fumble that wasn’t” let the RED WINGS back in the game and they edged our CUTTERS 19-14. Hoboken went on to lose to Passaic in the finals of an expanded Group IV playoff.

SOUTH WESTERN MUSTANGS GRIDIRON 2006-11

By Bill Engelhardt
________

Last Friday evening, November 3, the Mustangs of South Western visited the Squires of Delone Catholic and recorded a convincing 36-0 shutout to close out the regular season. The number 2 seeded Mustangs will host the number 15 seeded Spartans of Garden Spot in the first round of the class AAA District 3 playoffs next week.

Quarterback J. C. Laughlin may have set a new school record for touchdown passes in a game with 5 (I couldn’t ascertain what the record was but no one remembers anyone ever having 5 before) and he definitely set a new record for touchdown passes in a season with 15, surpassing the record of 13 set by Matt Schmidt in 2003. His 8 touchdown passes in 2005 and 15 so far in 2006 already puts him just 1 behind the school career record of 24 held by Andy Adams. His 900-yards passing in 2005 and 898-yards so far in 2006 already puts him in 4th place on the school career passing yardage list with 1,798-yards.

Drew Snyder set a new school record for touchdown receptions in a season wuth 8, surpassing the record of 7 set by Tim Rill in 1989 and Zach Krise in 2003. His 4 touchdown receptions in 2005 and 8 so far in 2006 already places him just 1 behind the school career record of 13 held by Tim Rill. His 822 career pass reception yards to date puts him in 3rd place on the school record list. Snyder also set a new school record for field goals in a career with 18. He kicked 6 this year and his field goal of 50-yards set a new school record for distance, breaking his own record of 47-yards. His 121 career punts for 4,501-yards so far ties him for 2nd place with Rod Gross on the school career punting average list with an average of 37.2-yards.

Aaron Repman got the Mustangs off on the right foot (or is that hoof?) as he returned the opening kickoff 31-yards to the 41-yard line. Ten plays later the Mustangs were at the 19-yard line of the Squires and Drew Snyder booted a 36-yard field goal to put the Mustangs up 3-0 at 6:55 in the first quarter. The Squires then started at their 20-yard line and Duane Rowlette immediately intercepted a pass at mid field for the Mustangs. This time the Mustangs went three and out and punted and the Squires soon punted back to the Mustangs. Shortly thereafter Michael Kale intercepted for the Squires but two plays later Jason Gigous recovered a Squires fumble for the Mustangs. The Mustangs then mounted a 5 play 56-yard drive that featured a 10-yard pass from J. C. Laughlin to Donnie Brady and a 22-yard touchdown pass to Jesse Smith. Snyder’s extra point put the Mustangs up 10-0 at 9:23 in the second quarter.

The ball went back and forth on 3 punt exchanges and the Mustangs then began an 8 play 77-yard drive, featuring 11-yards on 2 carries by Gigous, 9-yards on 3 carries by old reliable Tim Smith, passes of 14 and 3-yards from Laughlin to Tim Smith and a beautiful 40-yard touchdown strike from Laughlin to Jesse Smith. Snyder’s extra point put the Mustangs up 17-0 with 44 seconds left in the first half.

The Squires opened the second half by going three and out and punted. The Mustangs got the ball at the 44-yard line of the Squires. Eric Updegrove ran to the 42 and Laughlin then lofted a 42-yard touchdown pass to Drew Snyder, whose extra point kick put the Mustangs up 24-0 at the 8:44 mark of the third quarter.

The Squires again ended up punting to the Mustangs at midfield. On the very first play, Laughlin lofted a 50-yard touchdown pass to Drew Snyder and the Mustangs led 30-0 at 7:31 in the third quarter. The Mustangs had a subsequent drive end with a just missed 46-yard field goal attempt. They soon got the ball back again when Jesse Smith intercepted a Squires pass and returned it 5-yards to the Mustangs 46-yard line. Gigous carried 7-yards to the Squires 43-yard line, Updegrove advanced to the 35 and Laughlin lofted a picture perfect strike to Mike Stremmel in the end zone for the final score. The Mustangs led 36-0 with 47 seconds left in the third quarter. Bryan Bosley and Duane Rowlette each recovered a fumble for the Mustangs to stop Squires drives in the fourth quarter. The Mustangs cleared the bench early in the fourth quarter.

Tim Smith led the Mustangs with 12 tackles, followed by Jason Gigous (he leads the Mustangs with 106 tackles for the season) and Jesse Smith with 7 each, Donnie Brady, Drew Snyder and Chris Wilson with 6 each, Chad LaGore with 5, Dan Dukes and Cody Shue with 4, and Jason Sneeringer and Eric Updegrove with 3 each. A host of players followed with one or two tackles each.

Chad Lagore was credited with a big pass hurry and Drew Snyder, Duane Rowlette, Seth Barnes, Cody Shue, Eric Updegrove, and Jesse Smith each were credited with a pass defense. Drew Snyder registered 2 sacks and Jesse Smith also registered a sack for the Mustangs. The fumble recoveries by Bryan Bosley and Jason Gigous and the interceptions by Duane Rowlette and Jesse Smith were also highlights of the Mustangs vaunted defense.

Aaron Repman returned 3 punts for 2-yards, with the longest going for 2-yards, and Tim Smith returned a punt for 7-yards for the Mustangs. Repman also returned the only kickoff the Mustangs received in the game for 31-yards. Drew Snyder kicked off 7 times for 374-yards, with the longest going for 59-yards, and he punted 2 times for 90-yards, for a 45-yard average, with the longest going for 48-yards. Daryl Grubb punted 2 times for 61-yards, for a 30.5-yard average, with the longest going for 32-yards, for the Mustangs.

Bryan Bosley, Donnie Brady, Dan Dukes, Jason Gigous, Corwyn Gordon, Chad LaGore, Dale Mills, Cody Shue, Jesse Smith, Jason Sneeringer, Drew Snyder, Eric Updegrove and Chris Wilson manned the offensive and defensive line and linebacker positions. Seth Barnes, Duane Rowlette, Tim Smith, Mike Stremmel and Kory Yelton patrolled the secondary.

The South Western Mustangs gained 129-yards rushing and 220-yards passing for a total of 349 yards of offense for the game. Jason Gigous led the Mustangs rushing attack with 51-yards, followed by Tim Smith with 47-yards, Eric Updegrove with 31-yards, Donnie Brady with 11-yards, Zac Scott with 6-yards, and Ryan Laughlin with 2-yards. Chris Helwig, Pete Kudla and quarterback J. C. Laughlin each rushed for minus yardage. Laughlin completed 8 of 14 passes for 215-yards and 5 touchdowns, and Dan Brenneman completed a pass for 5-yards. Drew Snyder caught 2 passes for 92-yards and 2 touchdowns, Jesse Smith caught 2 passes for 62-yards and 2 touchdowns, Mike Stremmel caught 1 pass for 35-yards and a touchdown, Tim Smith caught 2 passes for 16-yards, Donnie Brady caught 1 pass for 11-yards, and Chris Helwig caught 1 pass for 5-yards for the Mustangs.

The Delone Catholic Squires gained 54-yards rushing and 69-yards passing for a total of 123- yards of offense for the game. Luke Smith led the Squires with 48-yards rushing, followed by Michael Kale with 18-yards, Logan Kwedar with 13-yards, Jon Lippy with 7-yards, and quarterback Christopher Christopher Burton with minus 32-yards. Burton completed 8 passes for the 69-yards; 4 for 40-yards to Brayden Daigle, 3 for 24-yards to Michael Kale, and 1 for 5-yards to Bryan Debruin for the Squires.

Brayden Daigle returned the Mustangs only punt for 10-yards and he returned 5 kickoffs for 110-yards for an average of 22-yards, with the longest going for 29-yards, for the Squires. Joshua McNutt also returned a kickoff for 15-yards and Mark Smith returned 1 for 3-yards. Michael Kale punted 7 times for 209-yards, for a 29.9-yard average, with the longest going for 36-yards, and Miles Moore kicked off once for 50-yards for the Bearcats.

The 19-member Mustangs Cheer Leading squad was very impressive as they roused the many faithful Mustangs fans among the crowd. The Squires Cheer Leaders countered with a spirited crowd rousing performance.

The 105 member strong South Western Mustang Marching Band, 9-time Cavalcade of Bands Champion, a 2000 Tournament of Bands Champion and US Scholastic Band Champion provided the half time entertainment with the 2006 musical program entitled “Colourful Rythms,” which featured musical themes from the Millennium Celebration at Epcot Center, including “Time Prologue,” “Chaos,” “Life” and “Celebration.” Then followed the main theme from the Cirque du Soleil production, “Journey of Man” and “Tribal Mustang.” The closing number was a “lilting” Irish melody leading to the majestic strains of “We Go On.” The 46 member strong Squires Marching Band entertained after the game with the theme “Reflections.” The show featured three movements: “Reflections of Form,” “Reflections of Sound,” and “Reflections of Light.”

The Mustangs of South Western are 9-1-0 overall and 7-0-0 in York Area Interscholastic Athletic Association (YAIAA) Division I league play.

Don Seidenstricker has a 163-63-1 (.721) record as coach of the Mustangs, who have a career record of 304-181-8. The results of the 493 games played in the history of the South Western Mustangs are a career .627 winning percentage and a .633 non-losing percentage.

Next week the number 2 seeded Mustangs will host the number 15 seeded Spartans of Garden Spot in the first round of the District 3 playoffs. The Spartans (5-5 overall, 3-4 Lancaster-Lebanon League Division II) are coming off of a 14-10 loss to the Mountaineers of Ephrata. From here it looks like the Mustangs are ready to continue their winning ways and move on in the playoff hunt. GO MUSTANGS GO.

FIRST ROUND PLAYOFFS IN FLHS GRIDIRON HISTORY - 2005

A WALK DOWN MEMORY LANE
By Dick Engelhardt

The New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) instituted playoffs in 1974. Before that sectional and group championships were awarded using power points. Now they are decided on the GRIDIRON.

1979 – Pete Natale came to Fair Lawn in 1978 having won championships at Ridgefield Park and made the CUTTERS winners again. They shut out the FIGHTING MUSTANGS of Clifton High 21-0 in Northern New Jersey Interscholastic League (NNJIL) action in the regular season. In the States the roles were reversed as Clifton shut out Fair Lawn 30-0. During 1972-81 Clifton went 8-2-1 (.800) over Fair Lawn including that playoff victory.

1980 – Natale’s CUTTERS shared the NNJIL title with Clifton and Passaic Valley. In the States they played one of the most exciting games in their history. Trailing the INDIANS of Passaic 7-0, 12-0, 12-7 and 18-7 at GIANTS STADIUM they roared back to win a 27-18 thriller.

1985 – Those INDIANS got revenge as they won a 36-26 thriller over Natale’s Northern Bergen Interscholastic League (NBIL) Division 1 champion CUTTERS at Passaic’s “One River Stadium.” Passaic School Stadium is now Boverini Stadium, named after the late long time Passaic Athletic Director. Fair Lawn trailed only 28-26 until the final minutes.

1987 – Natale’s NBIL Division 1 champion CUTTERS lost a 12-6 heart breaker to the BEES of Bayonne at Bayonne’s Veteran’s Memorial Stadium in freezing cold and gale force winds. Bayonne Coach Don Ahern said he was thankful for the awful weather because only it, and not his BEES, could thwart Fair Lawn’s vaunted offense.

1988 – Natale’s offensive coordinator, Mike Alberque, took over and led his CUTTERS into the States. They were beaten 20-6 by the KNIGHTS of John F. Kennedy of Paterson at Hinchliffe Stadium. During 1951-56 and 58, Fair Lawn went 5-2 (.714) over the then COLTS of Paterson Central. Our CUTTERS shut out the KNIGHTS 20-0 in “Consolation Game” action in 2003 and lead the overall rivalry 6-3 (.667).

1989 – Alberque’s NBIL Division 1 champion CUTTERS upset the BRUINS of North Bergen 14-7 in the States.

2000 - Alberque’s CUTTERS gave the nationally ranked COMETS of Hackensack all they could handle before losing a 14-6 thriller. During 1959-82 in NNIIL action the COMETS went 16-7-1 against our CUTTERS.

THE GRIDIRON 10 - 2006

By Dick Engelhardt

The CUTTERS of Fair Lawn High put up a real battle last week against the favored (But not here!) HIGHLANDERS of Northern Highlands before losing a 35-14 Northern Bergen Interscholastic League (NBIL) Division 1 game. With warriors Mike Barchefski, Nick Graff and Kevin Ramishvilli making defensive plays all over the field the score was 0-0 at halftime. Lasha Malazonia caused a fumble that Barchefski recovered at the Fair Lawn 5 and Barchefski recovered a second fumble at the Fair Lawn 10. Sergio LaPlaca, Tommy Spear, Mina Youssef and Alberto Zabalaga made big plays on “D” too.

After Graff intercepted a pass, Joey Visaggio picked up big yardage off a neat block by Joe Acuna and Graff passed to Ahmet Basci and Barchefski for 1st downs. With 6:25 left in the 3d quarter the HIGHLANDERS went ahead 6-0. Barchefski and Graff stopped another Northern Highlands drive and Graff electrified the crowd running the punt back 62 yards for a TD. With Barchefski holding, Sam Sierra kicked the extra point and our CUTTERS led 7-6 late in the 3rd quarter. After the HIGHLANDERS scored again our CUTTERS took to the air trying to come from behind and 2 interceptions led to the final Northern Highlands TDs. Our “never-say-die CUTTERS weren’t finished. Behind tackles Eric Savvides and Randy Tomlin, guards Avi Cohen and Ramishvilli and center Acuna, Visaggio took a pitch out and raced to the 15. Graff scampered to the 1 and Visaggio plunged for the TD. With Barchefski holding, Sierra kicked the extra point with 43 seconds on the clock. The HIGHLANDERS now lead 1986-93 and 1998 – present rivalry 9-8 (.529). It was great reminiscing with former long time Fair Lawn announcer, Joe Hausmann, now the “Voice of the HIGHLANDERS!”

In the other NBIL Division 1 game the GREEN RAIDERS of Ramapo beat the NORSEMEN of Northern Valley/Demarest 21-14. In Division 2 action, the INDIANS of Pascack Valley scalped the BEARS of Bergenfield 28-12. Fair Lawn’s NBIL Division 1 went 2-0 over Division 2 as the undefeated PATRIOTS of Wayne Hills shut out the previously undefeated THUNDERBIRDS of Mahwah 35-0 and the GOLDEN KNIGHTS of Northern Valley/Old Tappan beat the BRAVES of Indian Hills 41-13. Division 2 still leads the 2006 series 12-8 (.600). The RAMS of Ramsey beat the undefeated PANTHERS of Cedar Grove 28-21 and earned a spot in the States. They also brought the 2006 NBIL record against other leagues to 3-0!

This weekend the NBIL will be well represented in the playoffs with NV/Old Tappan and Wayne Hills in Group III and Mahwah, Pascack Valley and Ramsey in Group II. Our Crimson and Grey CUTTERS will host the Red and Grey WILDCATS of High Point representing the Sussex County League (SCL) Saturday at 1 at Sasso Field in a “Consolation” game. Both teams are looking for their first win and our 0-8 CUTTERS figure to get it against the 0-9 WILDCATS. From here it looks like Fair Lawn 14 – High Point 10. GO CUTTERS GO!!!

THIS WEEK IN FLHS GRIDIRON HISTORY – Week 8 – 2006

A WALK DOWN MEMORY LANE
By Dick Engelhardt

1946 – Frank Bennett’s CUTTERS beat the GOLDEN BEARS of Lyndhurst 20-15 in Bergen-Passaic Interscholastic League (BPIL) action. Fair Lawn would share the B-PIL title with the BUCCANEERS of Bogota. Our CUTTERS took the fierce 1945-53 rivalry with Lyndhurst 5-4 (.556).

1956 – Bennett’s CUTTERS beat the GREEN RAIDERS of Ramapo 21-6 in the renamed Northern Bergen Interscholastic League (NBIL). The Turkey Day game against the MAROONS of Ridgewood would determine the first NBIL championship. Ramapo leads the 1956-58 and 1984-present rivalry 16-10 (.615).

1966 – Frank Devens’ CUTTERS edged the SPARTANS of Paramus 21-20 in Northern New Jersey Interscholastic League (NNJIL) action. Whew! It was the final game of the great 23 game non-losing streak under head coaches Ed Sheehy (1964) and Devens (1965-66). During 1962-83 in the NNJIL, the SPARTANS went 12-10 (.545) over our CUTTERS. It was a great rivalry that ended when Fair Lawn returned to the NBIL in 1984.

1976 – Rich Szura’s CUTTERS were beaten 33-18 by those same SPARTANS of Paramus in NNJIL action.

1986 – Pete Natale’s CUTTERS shut out the RAMS of Ramsey 19-0 in NBIL interdivisional action. Fair Lawn leads the 1945-58, 1984-99 and 2002-present rivalry by an astounding 28 games to 7 (.800)!

1996 – Mike Alberque’s CUTTERS edged those RAMS of Ramsey 31-27.