THE GRIDIRON 5 - 2007

By Dick Engelhardt

In the “Hall of Fame Game” last week the CUTTERS of Fair Lawn High were beaten 33-13 by the BRAVES of Indian Hills in Northern Bergen Interscholastic League (NBIL) interdivisional action. Fair Lawn received the kickoff and behind center Regis Larkin, guards Yuval Bussi and Kevin Ramishvilli and tackles Chris Liptrot and Alberto Zabalaga, moved the pigskin with Mike Barchefski, Nick Graff and Joe Visaggio picking up yardage. After the BRAVES took a 12-0 lead QB Travis Kubasta threw a picture pass to Ahmet Basci for a 13 yard TD. With Visaggio holding, Chris Soltys kicked the extra point and it was 12-7. The BRAVES led 19-7 at the half. Penalties hurt the CUTTERS but, as the WGHT Radio (1500AM) broadcasters said in their “Game of The Week” broadcast from Sasso Field, there was no “quit” in the CUTTERS. Kubasta passed to Basci who took it in for a 39 yard TD to close out the scoring. Melkis Rosario recovered a fumble, Ramishvilli stripped the ball from a Brave and Lasha Malanozia and Visaggio picked off passes. Bruce Cheifitz sacked the QB Graff, Mike Copelton and Peter Park made great hits and Cheifitz and Soltys patted down a pass in the end zone. Fair Lawn leads the 1984-97 and 2000-present rivalry against the BRAVES 12-10 (.545).

The Fair Lawn High School Athletic Hall of Fame was established last year. Cathy Schofield and Roddy Hughes cut the ribbon at the high school Saturday morning and the Hall officially opened outside the Frank Bennett Gymnasium. FLHS Class of ’73 member John Cosgrove announced the halftime ceremonies introducing the 2006 and 2007 inductees who were there. I was especially interested in 3 of the ’07 inductees: Long time Fair Lawn announcer, Joe Hausmann, for whom my twin brother, Bill, and I “spotted” for years and who I succeeded as “The Voice of The Cutters” in 1997; Steve Crevani center on the historic ’59 football team, who I was privileged to present for induction at the dinner Saturday night; and Jack Van Olden, team co-captain and ring leader who led Tony DiNegri, Art Jaeggi, Jack Knowles, Al Livingstone and Bill Perkins on a sneak trip to the Rivoli Theater in Paterson to see a movie during school hours before the Leonia game in 1943, the first season. The miscreants were caught and coach Marty Fischbein kept those “cutters” out of the game. With the Lions up 12-0 he put our heroes in and Fair Lawn roared back to win 13-12. The student body, having chosen Crimson and Gray as the school colors, now insisted the athletic teams be known as “The CUTTERS of Fair Lawn High.” Jack was honored posthumously and was represented by his brother, Wayne (Class of ’53).

Fair Lawn’s NBIL Division 1 went 3-2 (.600) over Division 2. While Fair Lawn lost and Northern Highlands lost 15-6 to Bergenfield, Northern Valley/Demarest beat Ramsey 12-7, Northern Valley/Old Tappan beat Pascack Valley 33-21 and Wayne Hills shut out Mahwah 14-0. Ramapo had its bye week. Division 2 leads the ’07 series 5-4 (.556).

This Saturday night at 7 our CUTTERS travel to Franklin Lakes to take on the GREEN RAIDERS of Ramapo for the 27th time. Ramapo leads the 1956-58 and 1984-present rivalry 16-10 (.615). Fair Lawn's last victory was in 1995 when we beat freshman QB Chris Simms! Fair Lawn is 0-4 and has been outscored 113-60 for an average 28-15 loss. Ramapo comes into the game 0-3 and has been outscored 115-28 for an average loss of 28-9. Fair Lawn has scored 2 TDs in each game and QB Travis Kubasta is looking good with 2 TD strikes last week. Our heroes can win this one and end an 11 season losing streak against the GREEN RAIDERS. From here it looks like Fair Lawn 21 – Ramapo 7. GO CUTTERS GO!!!