THE GRIDIRON 13 - 2007

By Dick Engelhardt

Chris Soltys and Nick Graff were the heroes of the day as the CUTTERS of Fair Lawn High closed out their 2007 season with a thrilling 23-21 victory over the BEARS of Bergenfield on Thanksgiving morning. With 5 minutes remaining Soltys, with Mike Barchefski holding, kicked a 30 yard field goal to put our CUTTERS ahead and with 3:42 on the clock, Graff intercepted a pass at the Fair Lawn 8 yard line enabling our CUTTERS to hold on for the win. Captains Barchefski, Ahmet Basci, Lasha Malazonia and Kevin Ramishvilli won the coin toss and elected to receive. Behind center Brian Walis, guards Yuval Bussi and Ramishvilli and tackles Chris Liptrot and Ablerto Zabalaga, Kevin Carlson, Graff and Joe Visaggio picked up yardage. Visaggio ran 13 yards for a TD and Soltys kicked the point after to put Fair Lawn up 7-0. The BEARS came right back to lead 8-7 and scored again to lead 14-7. Carlson’s 28 yard TD scamper and Soltys’ point after kick tied it at 14. QB Travis Kubasta threw to Visaggio for first downs and Carlson’s TD run put Fair Lawn up 20-14 at the half.

The BEARS began the 2nd half running back the kickoff for a TD and led 21-20 setting up the late game heroics. In the closing minutes Carlson ran a punt to the Bergenfield 47, Visaggio ran for 2 first downs behind Bussi and Liptrot and Kubasta’s pass to Basci brought up a 4th down. Soltys’s kick electrified the crowd and Fair Lawn fans were delirious with joy as Kubasta took a knee to end the game. There were plenty of heroes on “D’ too. Bruce Cheifitz, Graff, and Peter Park teamed up on a terrific stop. Mike Copelton, Ramishvilli and Visaggio made TD saving tackles, Carlson and Egor Buharin stopped a runner for a big loss and Basci and Sergio LaPlaca made key stops. Barchefski recovered a fumble and Carlson intercepted a pass. Fair Lawn leads the 1945-48 and 1962-present rivalry 34-16 (.680) and the 1994-present Turkey Day rivalry 10-4 (.714).

In the other Northern Bergen Interscholastic League (NBIL) Division 1 game the GOLDEN KNIGHTS of Northern Valley/Old Tappan shut out the NORSEMEN of NV/Demarest 29-0. The THUNDERBIRDS of Mahwah earned a share of the NBIL Division 2 title with the INDIANS of Pascack Valley by beating the RAMS of Ramsey 28-7. Fair Lawn’s NBIL Division 1 went 2-1 (.667) against Division 2. In addition to Fair Lawn’s win, the GREEN RAIDERS of Ramapo edged the BRAVES of Indian Hills 24-21 while the HIGHLANDERS of Northern Highlands were shut out 21-0 by Pascack Valley. I saw that game and enjoyed “spotting” for former Fair Lawn announcer, now the “Voice of the Highlanders,” Joe Hausmann. My twin brother, Bill, and I did that at Fair Lawn for Joe 1967-96. I became the “Voice of the Cutters” in 1997. The NBIL Division 1 took the 2007 series 12-11 (.522).

New coach Stan Myles and assistants Andrew Beringer, James Beshaw, John DiGiorgio, Robert Gentile, Danny Iozzia and Ryan Ramiccio and volunteer coaches Joseph Brislin and Eddie Guy led our CUTTERS to a respectable 4-6 (.400) record with Fair Lawn in nearly every game until the end. The CUTTERS are back! Fair Lawn’s 1943-2007 record is 298-275-14 (.520). As they look ahead to 2008 our CUTTERS will miss guys like Barchefski, Basci, Cheifitz, Copelton, Liptrot, Malazonia, Anthony Melendez, Ramishvilli, Melkis Rosario, John Samoilis, Randy Tomlin and Steve Young. Guys like Matt Brunetti, Buharin, Bussi, Carlson, Graff, Kubasta, La Placa, James Mallon, Nick Leone, Mike Oates, Park, Soltys, Michael Szwed, Walis, Visaggio, Zabalaga and others could make Fair Lawn strong in ’08. I can hardly wait. Until then, GO CUTTERS GO!!!

PLAYOFF FINALS IN FLHS GRIDIRON HISTORY - 2007

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. Power points only come into play in making the playoffs and in seeding in them.

In 1980 Pete Natale’s CUTTERS shared the Northern New Jersey Interscholastic League (NNJIL) title with the FIGHTING MUSTANGS of Clifton High and the HORNETS of Passaic Valley. They beat the HORNETS 7-6 during the season but were beaten 20-7 by the FIGHTING MUSTANGS who in turn were beaten by the HORNETS. The tri-champions all had 8-1 (.889) NNJIL records. In the opening round of the States in North Jersey, Section 1, Group IV action, the CUTTERS played one of the most exciting games in their history. Trailing the INDIANS of Passaic and the Passaic Valley Conference (PVC) 7-0, 12-0, 12-7 and 18-7 at GIANTS STADIUM they roared back to win a 27-18 thriller. In the finals at GIANTS STADIUM the HORNETS of Passaic Valley avenged the regular season loss with a 20-0 championship shut out victory. Those 1980 CUTTERS were the first team in FLHS history to win 9 games, going 9-2 (.818). The others were Natale’s 1985 and 87 Northern Bergen Interscholastic League (NBIL) Division 1 champion and playoff bound CUTTERS who went 9-1 (.900).

THE GRIDIRON 12 - 2007

By Dick Engelhardt

Fair Lawn’s Northern Bergen Interscholastic League (NBIL) saw three of its teams in State Playoff action last week. In North Jersey, Section 1, Group III, I saw the NBIL Division 1 champion PATRIOTS of Wayne Hills ring up their 39th straight win knocking out the GOLDEN KNIGHTS of Northern Valley/Old Tappan 23-6. They face the INDIANS of Wayne Valley in the final at GIANTS STADIUM. In Group II I saw the NBIL Division 2 INDIANS of Pascack Valley edge the COUGARS of Kittatiny 21-18, bringing the ‘07 NBIL record against other leagues to 10-5 (.667). The INDIANS face the GOLDEN HAWKS of River Dell in the final at GIANTS STADIUM. Not only is PV head coach, Craig Nielsen, a former Fair Lawn assistant coach (1980-85) but PV assistant coach, Craig Buckley was Fair Lawn’s QB in 1992. My son, Craig Engelhardt, was on Mike Alberque’s ’92 CUTTERS too along with Frank Morano, now coach of the BULLDOGS of Rutherford.

At 10:30 on Thanksgiving morning the CUTTERS of Fair Lawn High travel to Bergenfield to take on the BEARS for the 50th time. The rivalry began in 1945 when our CUTTERS, in their third GRIDIRON season, joined the Bergen-Passaic Interscholastic League (B-PIL), which had been formed in 1943, the year Fair Lawn High opened, by Bergenfield, Bogota, Hawthorne, Lyndhurst and Ramsey. Bergenfield left the league in 1949 for the Bergen County Scholastic League (BCSL). During 1945-48 in the B-PIL our CUTTERS went 4-0 (1.000) over the then MIGHTY MITES. Fair Lawn and Ridgewood (the MAROONS had joined it in 1950) left the renamed Northern Bergen Interscholastic League (NBIL) in 1959 for the Northern New Jersey Interscholastic League (NNJIL).

In 1962 the MIGHTY MITES along with the SPARTANS of Paramus joined the NNJIL and the Fair Lawn – Bergenfield rivalry resumed. During the 1962-83 NNJIL years Fair Lawn went 15-7 (.682) over Bergenfield. The MIGHTY MITES became the BEARS in 1966. In 1984 Fair Lawn and Bergenfield returned to the NBIL along with the RAMS of Ramsey. Since 1984 our CUTTERS have gone 14-9 (.609) against the BEARS in NBIL action. In 1994 the THUNDERBIRDS of Mahwah joined the NBIL and Turkey Day rivalries were shuffled to let them play Ramsey on Thanksgiving. Bergenfield and Fair Lawn, who wanted to pair up in 1984, finally became Thanksgiving Day rivals. Bergenfield had been playing the GOLDEN KNIGHTS of Northern Valley/Old Tappan on Turkey Day while our CUTTERS went 5-5 (.500) against the PATRIOTS of Wayne Hills 1984-93. Fair Lawn leads the Turkey Day series with Bergenfield 9-4 (.692). Our CUTTERS lead the overall rivalry 1945-48 and 1962 to the present 33-16 (.673) but Bergenfield has won the last 2 games. It’s the longest standing rivalry in the 65 season GRIDIRON history of Fair Lawn High. The next longest was the 40 season 1944-83 Thanksgiving Day rivalry with Ridgewood, taken 26-11-3 (.703) by the MAROONS.

Fair Lawn is improved this year under Coach Stan Myles. Our CUTTERS come into the game 3-6 (.333) having been outscored 205-150 for an average loss of 23-17. They’ve been in every game except the Wayne Hills game and the PATRIOTS have that 39 game winning streak going so there’s no shame in that. Fair Lawn has scored at least 2 touchdowns in every game except the Wayne Hills shut out and has scored 3 Touchdowns in 3 games and 6 in the Consolation Game victory over High Point. The BEARS come into the game 2-7 (.222) having been outscored 257-119 for an average loss of 29-13. They’ve lost their last 4 games. Our CUTTERS will make an all out effort to win this one and close out a very decent season. From here it looks like Fair Lawn 27 – Bergenfield 13. GO CUTTERS GO!!!

TURKEY DAY IN FLHS GRIDIRON HISTORY 2007

A WALK DOWN MEMORY LANE
By Dick Engelhardt

1947 – Frank Bennett’s Bergen-Passaic Interscholastic League (B-PIL) co-champion (with the GOLDEN BEARS of Lyndhurst) CUTTERS beat the MAROONS of Ridgewood 7-6. It was the first Fair Lawn victory in the 1944-83 Annual Classic. Ridgewood led the series 3-1 (.750).

1957 – Bennett’s CUTTERS were beaten 34-6 by the MAROONS of Ridgewood in Northern Bergen Interscholastic League (NBIL) action. The B-PIL had become the NBIL in 1956. Throughout the 1950s the winner often took the league title. Bennett’s 1953 CUTTERS beat Ridgewood 26-6 and were B-PIL champs and his 1955 CUTTERS beat Ridgewood 19-7 and were B-PIL champs. The MAROONS led the series 9-7 (.563).

1967 – Frank Devens’ CUTTERS were edged 18-12 by the MAROONS in Northern New Jersey Interscholastic League (NNJIL) action. Ridgewood led the series 14-8-2 (.636).

1977 – Rich Szura’s CUTTERS were beaten 25-9 by the MAROONS in NNJIL action. Ridgewood led the series 23-9-2 (.719). They would take the 1944-83 rivalry 26-11-3 (.703).

1987 – Pete Natale’s CUTTERS beat the PATRIOTS of Wayne Hills 20-7 in NBIL Division 1 action. Fair Lawn had left the NNJIL and returned to the NBIL in 1984. Our CUTTERS led the series 4-0. The 1984-93 Turkey Day rivalry wound up 5-5 (.500).

1997 – Mike Alberque’s CUTTERS beat the BEARS of Bergenfield 38-7 in NBIL Division 1 action. Fair Lawn led the Turkey Day series, which began in 1994, 4-0. Going into Turkey Day 2007, Fair Lawn leads the 1945-48 and 1962-present rivalry 33-16 (.673) and the 1994-present Turkey Day rivalry 9-4 (.692). The teams have squared off 1945-48 in the B-PIL, 1962-83 in the NNJIL and since 1984 in the NBIL.

SECOND ROUND PLAYOFF ACTION IN FLHS GRIDIRON

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. Power points only come into play in making the playoffs and in seeding in them.

In 1989 – Fair Lawn got into the expanded North Jersey, Section 1, Group IV playoffs by virtue of being undefeated at selection time. Mike Alberque’s Northern Bergen Interscholastic League (NBIL) Division 1 champion ,
CUTTERS upset the BRUINS of North Bergen and the Hudson County Interscholastic Athletic Association (HCIAA) 14-7 in the 1st round. In the next round they faced the HCIAA RED WINGS of Hoboken in the “fumble that wasn’t a fumble” game. With Fair Lawn leading 14-0 Hoboken picked up a 1st down but fumbled. Our CUTTERS might well have scored again to ice the game but a second official overruled the fumble and Hoboken scored on the drive and went on to win a 19-14 thriller.

The RED WINGS got their comeuppance losing to the Northern New Jersey Interscholastic League (NNJIL) INDIANS of Passaic in the finals.

THE GRIDIRON 11 - 2007

By Dick Engelhardt

The CUTTERS of Fair Lawn High roared to a 38-9 victory over the WILDCATS of High Point last week in State “Consolation Game” action. Captains Mike Barchefski, Ahmet Basci, Lasha Malazonia and Kevin Ramishvilli won the coin toss and elected to receive. Behind center Brian Walis, guards Yuval Bussi and Ramishvilli and tackles Chris Liptrot and Alberto Zabalaga, Joe Visaggio rambled for a 1st down and Nick Graff raced 40 yards for a TD. Our CUTTERS took a 6-0 lead and never looked back. Ramishvilli stopped the WILDCATS on 4th down and QB Travis Kubasta threw to Steve Young for a big 1st down. Nick Graff carried to the 1 and Kevin Carlson ran for the TD and a 12-0 Fair Lawn lead. Peter Park recovered a fumble and Graff scored on a 1 yard TD run. With Barchefski holding, Chris Soltys kicked the extra point for a 19-0 Fair Lawn lead. Carlson rambled for a 1st down and Visaggio ran 5 yards for a TD to put Fair Lawn up 25-3. With 8 seconds left in the half an electrifying 56 yard TD pass from Kubasta to Visaggio was nullified by a penalty.

In the second half Graff intercepted a pass and Carlson rambled 25 yards for a TD and Fair Lawn led 31-3. Basci intercepted a pass and Graff ran to the 1 behind Walis and then ran for the TD. With Barchefski holding, Soltys kicked the Point after to close out the Fair Lawn scoring. There were lots of heroes on “D.” Soltys made a TD saving tackle, and Melkis Rosario broke up the 2 point conversion pass attempt after the WILDCATS scored their lone TD. Basci, Egor Buharin, Bussi, Bruce Cheifitz, Nick Leone, Malazonia, Alex Melendez and John Samoilis made great plays. Having beaten High Point 2 years in a row, our CUTTERS are 7-2 (.778) in Consolation Games since they were instituted in 1998.

Fair Lawn’s Northern Bergen Interscholastic League (NBIL) was proud as its 4 playoff teams went 3-1 (.750) in the States. In North Jersey, Section 1, Group III, the NBIL Division 1 champion PATRIOTS of Wayne Hills rang up their 38th straight win demolishing the VIKINGS of Parsippany Hills 49-0 and the GOLDEN KNIGHTS of Northern Valley/Old Tappan mauled the MARAUDERS of Mt. Olive 56-7. In Group II the NBIL Division 2 INDIANS of Pascack Valley shut out the LANCERS of Lakeland 21-0 but the THUNDERBIRDS of Mahwah were beaten 26-20 in overtime by the PATRIOTS of Lenape Valley.

In Consolation Games the NBIL went 4-3 (.571) against other leagues. In addition to Fair Lawn’s win, the BRAVES of Indian Hills beat the HUSKIES of Dumont 28-6, the GREEN RAIDERS of Ramapo shut out the GAELS of Roxbury 21-0 and the RAMS of Ramsey beat the RAMS of Lodi 28-19. However, the BEARS of Bergenfield were beaten 33-12 by the MAROON RAIDERS of Nutley, the HIGHLANDERS of Northern Highlands were beaten 36-20 by the PALADINS of Paramus Catholic and the NORSEMEN of Northern Valley/Demarest were beaten 28-21 by the MUSTANGS of Montville. In ’07 so far the NBIL is 9-5 (.643) against other leagues!

This weekend the State playoffs continue. Next week we’ll look at that and ahead to Fair Lawn’s Thanksgiving Day game at Bergenfield. Until then, GO CUTTERS 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 in the only game played to date between the schools.

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.

Fair Lawn is 6-2 (.750) in “Consolation Games” played the first weekend of playoffs since they were instituted in 1998.

SOUTH WESTERN MUSTANGS GRIDIRON 2007-11

By Bill Engelhardt
________

Last Friday evening, November 2, the Mustangs of South Western hosted the Squires of Delone Catholic at the Mustang Corral and recorded a convincing 17-10 victory over the playoff bound Squires to close out their regular season. Interceptions by Seth Barnes and Duane Rowlette loomed big, Barnes interception near the goal line as time ran out ended the Squires do or die attempt to tie the score.

The teams exchange possessions with no harm done to either throughout most of the first quarter. Brayden Daigle returned a Mustangs punt 23-yards to set the Squires up at the Mustangs 39-yard line. Joshua McNutt gained 18-yards on 2 runs, Kale gained 9-yards on a run and Dustin Reed gained 7-yards to put the Squires on the Mustangs 3-yard line as the first quarter ended. Kale lost 2-yards and then ran for a 5-yard touchdown and Miles Moore kicked the extra point to put the Squires up 7-0 at 11:12 in the second quarter. And that was the score at the end of the half.

Barnes returned the kickoff 34-yards to the 45 to start the second half for the Mustangs. Chris Helwig gained 10-yards, Barnes gained 7-yards, a penalty gained 15-yards, and Barnes scored on a nifty 22-yard run. Zac Kruger’s extra point kick tied the score at 7 at 10:12 in the second quarter.

The Squires next drive was interrupted when Rowlette intercepted a pass for the Mustangs at their 10-yard line. The Mustangs drove to the 25 and a penalty pushed them back. Eventually they punted and the Squires took over on the Mustangs 48-yard line. A 5 play drive, featuring a 28-yard pass from Noah Landi to Daigle, led to a 32-yard field goal by Miles Moore, putting the Squires up 10-7 at 1:32 in the third quarter.

Barnes returned the kickoff 31-yards to the 41-yard line for the Mustangs. A 10 play drive, featuring runs of 8, 7, and 7-yards by Barnes, 3 and 9-yards by Bingham, 3, 5 and 1-yards by Helwig, and 6-yards by David Sager, led to a 35-yard field goal by Kruger. That tied the score at 10 with 8:52 to go in the game. Andrew Sells recovered a Squires fumble on the kickoff and the Mustangs were set up on the Squires 37-yard line. Barnes gained 2-yards and a pass fell incomplete. Then Sager threw a beautiful 19-yard pass to Bingham. Helwig and Bingham picked up another 4-yards and Sager connected with Drew Sneeringer for a 16-yard touchdown pass. Kruger’s extra point kick put the Mustangs up 17-10 with 6:22 to go in the game.

The Squires made it interesting as a poor punt gave them the ball at the Mustangs 33-yard line. One pass fell incomplete and Barnes’ interception for the Mustangs near the goal line as the clock ran out ended the game.

Duane Rowlette led the Mustangs with 10 tackles, followed by Josh Rummel with 8, Seth Barnes and John Bingham with 7 each, Zach Hagerman, Blair Messinger and Derek Supel with 6 each, Corwyn Gordon and Drew Sneeringer with 5 each, Chris Helwig, Travis Scott, Jake Myers, Andrew Sells, and Adam Day with 4 each, Chris McDonald with 3, Brandon Nicastro with 2, and Karl Maynor and Zac Scott with 1 tackle each. Hagerman, Rummel and Nicastro were each credited with a sack. Myers was credited with a pass hurry, Rowlette and Sneeringer were each credited with 2 pass defenses, Travis Scott had 1 pass defense, Barnes and Rowlette each intercepted a pass, and Andrew Sells recovered a fumble, for the Mustangs.

Seth Barnes returned 3 kickoffs for 79-yards, and John Bingham returned 1 punt for minus 4-yards for the Mustangs. Jake Myers punted 5 times for 136-yards, for a 27.2-yard average, with the longest going for 40-yards. Zak Kruger kicked off 4 times for 210-yards, including 1 touchback, for the Mustangs.

John Bingham, Adam Day, Jordan Gall, Corwyn Gordon, Daryl Grubb, Zach Hagerman, Chris Helwig, Chris McDonald, Blair Messinger, Josh Rummel, Zac Scott, Andrew Sells, Drew Sneeringer, and Derek Supel manned the offensive and defensive line and linebacker positions. Seth Barnes, Karl Maynor, Cody Mundorff, Duane Rowlette, and Travis Scott patrolled the secondary for the Mustangs.

The South Western Mustangs gained 156-yards rushing and 65-yards passing for 221-yards of offense. Seth Barnes led the Mustangs rushing attack with 88-yards (including a 22-yard touchdown), followed by Karl Maynor with 30-yards, Chris Helwig with 26-yards, John Bingham with 18-yards, Zac Scott with 17-yards, and Pete Kudla with 2-yards. The team lost 25-yards on a bad snap. Quarterback David Sager completed 6 passes for 65-yards and a touchdown, 2 for 37-yards to Drew Sneeringer (including a 16-yard touchdown), 1 for 18-yards to Bingham, 2 for 10-yards to Marty Kefauver, and 1 for no yards to Maynor, for the Mustangs. Zac Kruger kicked 2 extra points and a 35-yard field goal for the Mustangs.

The Delone Catholic Squires gained 200-yards rushing and 68-yards passing for a total of 268- yards of offense for the game. Michael Kale led the Squires rushing attack with 128-yards (including a 5-yard touchdown), followed by Dustin Reed with 61-yards, Joshua McNutt with 28-yards, Noah Landi with minus 2-yards, Christopher Burton with minus 7-yards, and Brayden Daigle with minus 8-yards. Quarterback Landi completed 2 passes for 68-yards, 1 for 40-yards to Charlie Hertz and 1 for 28-yards to Daigle, and threw 2 interceptions, for the Squires. Miles Moore kicked an extra point and a 32-yard field goal for the Squires.

Brayden Daigle returned a punt for 23-yards and Joshua McNutt returned one for no yards. McNutt returned a kickoff for 25-yards and Dustin Reed returned 2 kickoffs for 33-yards. Michael Kale punted 2 times for 71-yards, for a 35.5-yard average, with the longest going for 45-yards, and Daigle punted 1 time for 43-yards. Miles Moore kicked off 3 times for 155-yards, with the longest goimg for 55-yards, for the Squires.

The 100 member strong 9-time Cavalcade of Bands Champions, Tournament of Bands Group IV Champion and US Scholastic Band Champion South Western Mustangs Marching Band put on a stirring pre-game show, entitled “City Symphonique: The Sights and Sounds of New York City.” The show featured opening themes depicting the “hustle and bustle” of the city, followed by “New York, New York,” “Wonderful Town,” “On Broadway,” and Lullaby on Broadway.” The Squires Marching Band entertained at half time with a rousing performance. The 21-member Mustangs Cheer Leading squad and the Mustang Mascot were very impressive as they roused the many faithful Mustangs fans among the spirited crowd. They are due a vote of thanks for a great job all season long. The Squires Cheer Leaders countered with a crowd rousing performance for their faithful fans.

The Mustangs of South Western ended their season at 3-7-0 overall and 1-5-0 in York Area Interscholastic Athletic Association (YAIAA) Division I league play.

Don Seidenstricker has a 169-71-1 (.704) record as coach of the Mustangs, who have a career record of 310-189-8. The results of the 507 games played in the history of the South Western Mustangs are a career .621 winning percentage and a .627 non-losing percentage.

I certainly cannot end the season without saying a very special thank you to Richard Lupro for faithfully providing the official Offensive, Special Teams and Scoring statistics for the Mustangs to me, and for inputting them, and the Defensive statistics, at the Max Preps web site each week. And a very special thank you also goes to longtime Mustangs line coach Chuck Seidenstricker for providing vital Defensive statistics to me, and to Dick Lupro, for input to the web site, after reviewing game films on very short notice.

The 2007 edition of the Mustangs of South Western gave their fans lots of excitement and thrills. Seth Barnes had 587-yards rushing on 91 carries, 210-yards receiving on 13 receptions, and 575-yards in kick returns, for a total of 1,372 all-purpose yards for the season, and led the team with 6 touchdowns for the Mustangs. The other rushing leaders were Pete Kudla with 74 carries for 387-yards, sophomore J. R. Mummert with 80 carries for 373-yards, and John Bingham with 47 carries for 154-yards.

David Sager completed 70 passes for 883-yards and 10 touchdowns. The reception leaders were Marty Kefauver with 16 catches for 213-yards, followed by Barnes with his 210-yards on 13 receptions, John Bingham with 188-yards on 14 receptions and Drew Sneeringer with 137-yards on 10 receptions.

John Bingham led the defense with 90 tackles, followed by Duane Rowlette with 81 and Drew Sneeringer with 69. Chris Helwig, Brandon Nicastro and Josh Rummel led the team in sacks with 3 each. Rowlette with 10 and Barnes with 7 led the team in pass defenses and Rowlette led the team with 6 interceptions, which he returned for 136-yards.

The 2007 Mustangs represented their school and league honorably, played hard, never gave up, and were within striking distance of winning several games that just didn’t go their way in the end. They have a great nucleus of returning players from the junior varsity and solid players coming up within the ranks. I can’t wait for next season to begin. Until then, GO MUSTANGS GO.

THE GRIDIRON 10 - 2007

By Dick Engelhardt

The CUTTERS of Fair Lawn High lost a thriller 23-13 to the INDIANS of Pascack Valley last week in Northern Bergen Interscholastic League (NBIL) interdivisional action. Captains Mike Barchefski, Ahmet Basci, Lasha Malazonia and Kevin Ramishvilli won the coin toss and Fair Lawn elected to receive. QB Travis Kubasta threw to Kevin Carlson and Joe Visaggio for yardage and our heroes were moving the ball with Barchefski, Carlson, Nick Graff and Visaggio lugging the pigskin. The Indians scored but Ramishvilli blocked the point after kick and it was only 6-0. With 23 seconds left in the half Kubasta uncorked a picture pass to Basci for a TD and, with Barchefski holding, Chris Soltys kicked the extra point to put our CUTTERS up 7-6 at the half! Barchefski, Graff, Basci, Ricardo Espinal, Malazonia, Melkis Rosario and Visaggio made key defensive plays and Peter Park sacked the QB.

In the second half, in a daring move, Kubasta picked up a first down on 4th and 1 at the Fair Lawn 27 behind center Brian Walis but then Pascack Valley recovered a fumble and scored to go ahead 14-7 with a 2 point conversion. They scored again to go up 21-7 and a safety made it 23-7. Our “never-say-die" CUTTERS roared back as Ramishvilli picked off a fumble and raced for a TD. The 2 point conversion try failed and the Indians hung on for the win, which they needed for their playoff hopes. Barchefski and Visaggio recovered fumbles and Sergio LaPlaca alertly grabbed the football after it touched an INDIAN on a kick off to give Fair Lawn possession. Not only was PV head coach Craig Nielsen an assistant at Fair Lawn under Pete Natale 1980-85 but PV assistant coach. Craig Buckley was a star Fair Lawn QB in the 1990s. Pascack Valley leads the 1955-56, 1984-85 and 1988-present rivalry 13-10-1 (.565) and has won the last 4 games.

Fair Lawn’s NBIL Division 1 went 2-1 (.667) over Division 2. While our CUTTERS lost to PV, the NBIL Division 1 champion PATRIOTS of Wayne Hills scalped the BRAVES of Indian Hills 64-20 and the GOLDEN KNIGHTS of Northern Valley/Old Tappan beat the THUNDERBIRDS of Mahwah 41-21. The NBIL Division 1 and Division 2 are tied at 10-10 in the ’07 series so far. In Division 1 action the GREEN RAIDERS of Ramapo shut out the HIGHLANDERS of Northern Highlands 19-0. In Division 2 the RAMS of Ramsey shut out the BEARS of Bergenfield 21-0. The NORSEMEN of Northern Valley/Demarest had their bye week.

This Saturday our CUTTERS are home at SASSO FIELD at 1:00 hosting the WILDCATS of High Point in their New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) “Consolation Game.” Last year our CUTTERS beat High Point 14-7. The Red and Grey clad WILDCATS looked an awful lot like our Crimson and Gray clad CUTTERS. This year Fair Lawn is the home team again because our victories over Northern Highlands and Ramapo earned Fair Lawn 16 “power points” while High Point’s victories over Hopatcong, Newton and Wallkill Valley earned the WILDCATS 11 “power points.” Under coaches Mike Alberque (2-1) and Greg Tanzer (4-1), Fair Lawn is 6-2 (.750) in Consolation Games since they were instituted in 1998. Fair Lawn comes into the game 2-6 (.250) having been outscored 196-112 for an average loss of 25-14. High Point is 3-6 (.333) and has been outscored 220-119 for an average loss of 24-13. You can’t get a much closer match up! Our CUTTERS have been playing tough this season and figure to continue their Consolation Game winning streak. From here it looks like Fair Lawn 21 – High Point 13. GO CUTTERS GO!!!

THIS WEEK IN FLHS GRIDIRON HISTORY – 2007 Week 8

A WALK DOWN MEMORY LANE
By Dick Engelhardt

1947 - Frank Bennett’s CUTTERS beat the GOLDEN BEARS of Lyndhurst 19-6 earning a Bergen-Passaic Interscholastic League (B-PIL) co-championship with them. The CUTTERS had shared the ’46 title with the BUCCANEERS of Bogota and won the ’45 title outright in their first year in the league. They would win it again in ’53 and ’55. The ’53 CUTTERS, with Dave Sime, later, “The World’s Fastest Human,” were co- North Jersey, Section 1, Group III State champs with the COMETS of Hackensack. Our CUTTERS took the 1945-53 Lyndhurst rivalry 5-4 (.556).

1957 – Bennett’s CUTTERS beat the GREEN RAIDERS of Ramapo 27-6 in Northern Bergen Interscholastic League (NBIL) action. The B-PIL had become the NBIL in 1956. Ramapo leads the 1956-58 and 1984-present rivalry 16-11 (.593). Fair Lawn's last victory had been in 1995 when we beat freshman QB Chris Simms, but the thrilling 19-18 Fair Lawn win this year with Kevin Ramishvilli blocking a last second Ramapo field goal try, broke the losing streak!

1967 – Frank Devens’ CUTTERS were stung 21-0 by the HORNETS of Passaic Valley in Northern New Jersey Interscholastic League (NNJIL) action. During 1944-46 and 1966 independently and 1967- 81 and 83 in the NNJIL, the HORNETS went 13-6-2 (.684) over our CUTTERS including a 20-0 shut out victory in the 1980 State playoff finals at GIANTS STADIUM after Fair Lawn had beaten the INDIANS of Passaic 27-18 in the first round.

1977 – Rich Szura’s CUTTERS were edged 16-13 by the SPARTANS of Paramus in NNJIL action. 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.

1987 – Pete Natale’s CUTTERS shut out the RAMS of Ramsey 16-0 in NBIL interdivisional action. Fair Lawn leads the 1945-58, 1984-99 and 2002-06 rivalry by an astounding 28 games to 7 (.800)!

1997 – Mike Alberque’s CUTTERS beat those same RAMS 24-6 in NBIL interdivisional action.