THE GRIDIRON 4 - 2007

By Dick Engelhardt

The CUTTERS of Fair Lawn High gave the GOLDEN KNIGHTS of Northern Valley/Old Tappan a battle last Friday in Northern Bergen Interscholastic League (NBIL) Division 1 action before losing 35-19. The undefeated GOLDEN KNIGHTS are a juggernaut with a good chance to beat the PATRIOTS of Wayne Hills in their October 6th showdown. Fair Lawn mounted an opening drive that stalled in NV territory. Nick Graff, Chris Soltys and Joe Visaggio picked up yardage. The GOLDEN KNIGHTS ran and passed well and led 21-0 at the half despite great defensive plays by Ahmet Basci, Bruce Cheifitz, Graff, Sergio LaPlaca, Lasha Malanozia, Kevin Ramishvilli, and Soltys. Visaggio had an interception and rambled to the 15 with it!

In the 2nd half the GOLDEN KNIGHTS scored again to go up 28-0. QB Travis Kubasta threw a picture pass to Visaggio for a 17 yard TD to make it 28-6. Peter Park, Melkis Rosario, and Visaggio teamed up on a great stop on a kick off. Egor Buharin made a neat hit. Mike Copelton intercepted a pass and ran it to the 25 and Malanozia scampered the 25 yards for the TD. With Visaggio holding, Soltys kicked the extra point to make it 35-13. Our “never-say-die” CUTTERS battled to the end as a great ht by Ramishvilli caused a fumble and Yuval Bussi picked it up and rambled 25 yards for a TD. It was a pleasure for me to begin my 11th season as “The Voice of the CUTTERS” announcing the game at SASSO FIELD. Thanks to my “spotter,” Kevin Pepitone. Fair Lawn leads the 1984 – present rivalry 14–10 (.583) but the GOLDEN KNIGHTS have won the last 6 games.

In the other NBIL Division 1 games the PATRIOTS of Wayne Hills demolished the GREEN RAIDERS of Ramapo 41-7 and the NORSEMEN of Northern Valley/Demarest beat the HIGHLANDERS of Northern Highlands 28-14. In Division 2 the THUNDERBIRDS of Mahwah shut out the BRAVES of Indian Hills 14-0 and the RAMS of Ramsey shocked the INDIANS of Pascack Valley 17-12. The BEARS of Bergenfield were idle.

This Saturday at 1:30 our CUTTERS host the BRAVES of Indian Hills at SASSO FIELD in NBIL interdivisional action. The Fair Lawn High School Hall of Fame, which began last year with the first inductions, will officially open at the high school Saturday morning and will be acknowledged in ceremonies at the game. The 2nd annual induction dinner will be held at the Knights of Columbus Hall Saturday night. Fair Lawn leads the 1984-97 and 2000-present rivalry against the BRAVES 12-9 (.571). Our CUTTERS are 0-3 and have been outscored 80-47 for an average loss of 27-16. Indian Hills is 1-2 and has outscored the opposition 52-48 for an average score of 17-16. I’ve seen the BRAVES in action against Mahwah and I’ve seen our CUTTERS battle valiantly in every game. They could have won the NV/Demarest game and nearly took the lead in the Mahwah game. Our heroes can win this game! Let’s all be at SASSO FIELD cheering them on. From here it looks like Fair Lawn 21 – Indian Hills 17. GO CUTTERS GO!!!