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!!!