SOUTH WESTERN MUSTANGS GRIDIRON 2008-6

By Bill Engelhardt
________

Last Friday evening, September 26, the Mustangs of South Western visited the Wildcats of Dallastown and were shut out 27-0. The Mustangs started off by holding the Wildcats to a three and out opening series and then driving 49-yards in seven plays to the Wildcats 14-yard line before turning the ball over on downs. The drive featured a 22-yard pass from Ian Smith to Drew Sneeringer and 8 and 13-yard runs by J. R. Mummert.

The Mustangs again held the Wildcats to a three and out series and started a drive on the Wildcats 43-yard line. Six plays later the Mustangs again turned the ball over on downs at the Wildcats 25-yard line.

The Wildcats then drove 75-yards in five plays, featuring an 11-yard pass from Chris Hunt to Tyler Imhoff, and a 45-yard gallop by Hunt to the Mustangs 1-yard line. Kole Kraut then plunged in for a touchdown and Trent Bear’s extra point kick put the Wildcats up 7-0 with 50 seconds left in the first quarter.

The Mustangs were then held to a three and out but got the ball right back when Alex Berwager intercepted a Wildcats pass near midfield. Five plays later the Mustangs punted and the Wildcats launched a five-play 80-yard touchdown drive, featuring an 81-yard pass from Hunt to Kraut to the Mustangs 7-yard line. Kraut scored his second touchdown on a 4-yard run and Bear’s extra point kick upped the score to 14-0 with 6:40 left in the second quarter.

The Mustangs opened the second half with a three and out series. The Wildcats then launched a five-play 50-yard touchdown drive, featuring a 24-yard touchdown pass from Hunt to Eric Shoff, and the score was 20-0 with 8:01 left in the third quarter.

After another three and out series for the Mustangs, the Wildcats drove 71-yards in ten plays for the last score of the game. The Mustangs Derek Supel sacked Chris Hunt but that only temporarily slowed the drive. A 27-yard pass from Hunt to Zachary Green overcame the sack. Alex Orwig scored on a 1-yard plunge and Bear’s extra point kick made the final score 27-0 in favor of the Wildcats with 11:50 left in the game.

An interception by Jake Shaffer for the Mustangs ended a Wildcats drive and 2 interceptions by Kole Kraut for the Wildcats, one in the end zone, ended 2 drives by the Mustangs.

Drew Sneeringer led the Mustangs defense with 12 tackles, followed by Alex Berwager with 8, Brandon Nicastro with 7, Andrew Sells with 6, Jake Myers, Jimmy Nicklas, Zac Scott and Derek Supel with 5 each, Adam Day and Jake Shaffer with 4 each, Levi Sager with 3, Chris Helwig, Dan Laird and Kyle Mahorney with 2 each, and Colby Fuhrman and Ryan Sexton with 1 tackle each. Berwager and Shaffer each had an interception and Mahorney and Supel each recorded a sack for the Mustangs.

Chris Helwig returned 3 kickoffs for 49-yards, with the longest going for 21-yards, and Jeb Shipley returned a kickoff for 16-yards for the Mustangs. Zak Kruger kicked off 1 time for 52-yards and Jake Myers punted 8 times for 223-yards, for a 27.9-yard average, for the Mustangs.

Adam Day, Colby Fuhrman, Jordan Gall, Chris Helwig, Dan Laird, Kyle Mahorney, Jake Myers, Brandon Nicastro, Zac Scott, Andrew Sells, Jake Shaffer, Drew Sneeringer, Derek Supel, and Wes Trostle manned the offensive and defensive line and linebacker positions. Alex Berwager, Kyle King, Jimmy Nicklas and Levi Sager patrolled the secondary.

The Mustangs gained 131-yards rushing and 67-yards passing for a total of 198- yards of offense. J. R. Mummert led the Mustangs rushing attack with 16 carries for 63-yards, followed by Zac Scott with 5 for 37, Jeb Shipley with 6 for 32, Chris Helwig with 7 for 14, Mike Brant with 1 for 4, and Ian Smith with 2 for minus 19-yards. Quarterback smith completed 4 passes for 67-yards, 3 for 45-yards to Kyle Mahorney and 1 for 22-yards to Drew Sneeringer, for the Mustangs.

The Wildcats gained 168-yards rushing and 150-yards passing for a total offense of 318-yards. Chris Hunt led the Wildcats rushing attack with 11 carries for 90-yards, followed by Kole Kraut with 17 for 42 (including the touchdowns of 1 and 4-yards), Tyler Imhoff with 4 for 17, Anthony DeFabio with 1 for 8, Alex Orwig with 2 for 7 (including the 1-yard touchdown), Ben Kline with 1 for 2, and Josh Luckenbaugh with 1 for 2-yards. Quarterback Hunt completed 6 passes for 150-yards and a touchdown, 2 for 83-yards to Kraut, 2 for 32-yards to Zach Green, 1 for 24-yards and the touchdown to Eric Shoff, and 1 for 11-yards to Imhoff, for the Wildcats. Kraut also intercepted 2 passes for the Wildcats. Trent Bear kicked 3 extra points for the Wildcats.

The 93 member 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 half time show from the sidelines, because of the rainy weather and field conditions, entitled “B-Classical” and featuring the energetic rhythms of Bernstein, passionate melodies of Borodini, and empowering harmony of Bizet. The combined 275 member Dallastown Wildcats Marching Band and the Junior High Band put on a spirited pre-game show paying homage to cartoons, with the Batman TV and movie Theme, Spiderman Theme and Superman Theme. The 170 member Wildcats Marching Band put on a post-game show entitled “The Music of Chicago,” featuring “Make Me Smile,” “Beginnings,” “Color My World,” “Feeling Stronger Every Day,” “I’m a Man” and “Free.” The 23 member strong Mustangs Cheer Leading squad, and the Wildcats Cheer Leaders were very impressive in rousing their fandom.

The Mustangs of South Western are 2-3-0 overall and 1-1-0 in York Area Interscholastic Athletic Association (YAIAA) Division I league play.

Don Seidenstricker has a 171-74-1 (.698) record as coach of the Mustangs, who have a career record of 312-192-8. The results of the 512 games played in the history of the South Western Mustangs are a career .619 winning percentage and a .625 non-losing percentage.

Next week the Mustangs continue league play and host Rockets of Spring Grove. The Rockets are coming off of a 48-13 loss to the Lions of Red Lion. From here it looks like the Mustangs are ready to gallop back on the winning track. GO MUSTANGS GO.

THE GRIDIRON 4 - 2008

By Dick Engelhardt

The CUTTERS of Fair Lawn High remained undefeated last Friday night beating the GOLDEN KNIGHTS of Northern Valley/Old Tappan by the very 35-7 score I had predicted in THE GRIDIRON. Joe Visaggio electrified the crowd running the opening kickoff back over 80 yards for a TD that was, alas, nullified by a penalty. With center Brian Walis, guards Yuval Bussi and Sergio LaPlaca and tackles Mike Oates and Adam Polisi blocking, QB Travis Kubasta and running backs Kevin Carlson, Nick Graff and Joey Visaggio moved the ball on the ground and Kubasta kept the Golden Knights honest and set up runs with neat passes to Carlson, Graff, Christian Samra and Chris Soltys. Set up by a big Kubasta to Soltys pass, Carlson raced 19 yards for the first TD. Visaggio, as he had done the previous week, rose up from his holder’s position and fired a 2 point conversion pass to Samra and Fair Lawn led 8-0. Carlson intercepted a pass and ran it 30 yards for a TD and our heroes led 14-0 at the half.

In the 3rd quarter Soltys intercepted a pass and ran it 40 yards for a TD. With Visaggio holding, Sacir Hot kicked the extra point for a 21-0 Fair Lawn lead. Hot was just that, not only kicking 3 extra points but booming kickoffs into the end zone! After the GOLDEN KNIGHTS scored, Carlson’s 14 yard TD scamper and Hot’s kick put Fair Lawn up 28-7. A final drive led to Visaggio’s 15 yard TD run and Hot’s kick closed out the impressive Northern Bergen Interscholastic League (NBIL) Division 1 victory.

The “D” kept NV bottled up all night. Soltys made a TD saving tackle and broke up passes, Graff made big stops, Visaggio broke up what would have been a 45 yard TD pass, Igor Buharin broke up a pass, Yuval Bussi, Samra and LaPlaca all made big plays and Marcus Peterkin and Bryan Turton teamed up to break up a pass play leading to Kubasta taking a knee to end the game.

In the other NBIL Division 1 games the NORSEMEN of Northern Valley/Demarest beat the HIGHLANDERS of Northern Highlands 35-24 and the PATRIOTS of Wayne Hills notched their 43rd straight victory beating the GREEN RAIDERS of Ramapo 31-21. In Division 2 the INDIANS of Pascack Valley beat the RAMS of Ramsey 24-7 and the THUNDERBIRDS of Mahwah scalped the BRAVES of Indian Hills 49-3. The BEARS of Bergenfield had their bye.

This Saturday night our CUTTERS travel to Oakland to take on the BRAVES of Indian Hills for the 23rd time. Fair Lawn leads the 1984-97 and 2000-present rivalry 12-10 (.545). Our CUTTERS come into the game 3-0 for the first time since 1999 and have outscored the opposition 103-20 for an average 34-7 win. The BRAVES are 1-2 (.333) and have been outscored 94-20 for an average loss of 31-7. Coach Stan Myles’ CUTTERS figure to keep on winning. From here it looks like Fair Lawn 42 – Indian Hills 7. GO CUTTERS GO!!!

SOUTH WESTERN MUSTANGS GRIDIRON 2008-5

By Bill Engelhardt
________

Last Friday evening, September 19, the Mustangs of South Western hosted the Eagles of Dover at the Mustang Corral and galloped to a 51-21 victory, with 2 runners exceeding 100-yards and a third hot on their trail for the Mustangs.

The Eagles punted from their 5-yard line after a 3 and out opening drive and the Mustangs began a 4-play 26-yard touchdown drive that ended with Zac Scott’s 5-yard touchdown run. Zac Kruger kicked the extra point and the Mustangs were up 7-0 at 9:07 in the first quarter. Another score quickly followed this as Brandon Nicastro recovered an Eagles fumble at the Eagles 41-yard line. David Sager immediately threw a beautiful 41-yard touchdown strike to Drew Sneeringer, and Kruger’s extra point kick upped the score to 14-0 at 6:12 in the first quarter.

The Eagles punted again and the Mustangs launched a 14 play 85-yard drive, featuring a 13-yard run by Jeb Shipley, 11 and 12-yard runs by J. R. Mummert, and a 7-yard run by Chris Helwig. Zac Kruger kicked a 24-yard field goal to up the score to 17-0 at 7:36 in the second quarter. Starting quarterback David Sager was injured on this drive and left the game, replaced by backup Ian Smith.

The Eagles punted again and the Mustangs marched 71-yards on 12 plays, featuring 19 and 9-yard runs by J. R. Mummert, 11, 7, 8 and 5-yard runs by Chris Helwig, and 7 and 5-yard runs by Zac Scott. Helwig scored a touchdown on a 5-yard run and Kruger’s extra point kick upped the score to 24-0 with 59.6 seconds left in the half.

The Eagles then launched a 3-play 80-yard touchdown drive in 27.5 seconds. Vaunted star Vaughn Hebron took off on a nifty 58 jaunt, quarterback Steven Ferry completed a 16-yard pass to Andy Wolfgang, and followed that up with a 6-yard touchdown strike to Hebron. Chris Hoover’s extra point kick made the score 24-7 with 32.1 seconds left in the half.

The Mustangs opened the second half at their 29-yard line and drove to the Eagles 35-yard line but Carlo Rivera intercepted a pass for the Eagles at their 35-yard line. The Eagles soon punted and the Mustangs drove 55-yards in 4 plays, featuring 14 and 5-yard runs by Mummert, an 11-yard run by Shipley, and a 25-yard touchdown run by Shipley. Kruger’s extra point kick upped the score to 31-7 at 6:28 in the third quarter.

The Eagles again punted and the Mustangs drove 85-yards in 14 plays. A 24-yard pass from Ian Smith to Chris Helwig and a 9-yard pass to Alex Berwager were the big plays in this drive, which ended with Mummert’s 5-yard touchdown run at 8:59 in the 4th quarter. Kruger’s extra point kick made the score 38-7.

The Eagles launched a play 60-yard drive, featuring a 14-yard pass from Steven Ferry to Zach Myers and a 14-yard pass to Carlos Rivera. Vaughn Hebron scored a touchdown on a 3-yard run and Chris Hoover’s extra point kick made the score 38-14 with 5:46 left in the game.

The benches were emptied after that. The Mustangs have 4 quarterbacks on the 75-player roster and they all got in the game. Bobby Porter and Tyler Frederick were able to move the ball and the scoring continued. Chris Helwig returned the Eagles kickoff 65-yards to the Eagles 23-yard line. Porter came in at quarterback. Tyrell McCleary made an 18-yard jaunt to the 5 and Mike Brant scored a touchdown on a 5-yard run. Kruger’s extra point kick upped the score to 45-14 with 4:49 left in the game.

Carlos Rivera returned the Mustangs kickoff 94-yards for a touchdown for the Eagles. Hoover’s extra point kick made the score 45-21.

The Mustangs then drove 77-yards in 6 plays with Tyler Frederick at quarterback. Jeff Hacker contributed runs of 2 and 11-yards and Kyle King scored a touchdown on a fancy 36-yard run, making the final score 51-21 in favor of the Mustangs.

Drew Sneeringer led the Mustangs defense with 11 tackles, followed by Alex Berwager with 8, Chris Helwig and Zac Scott with 7 each, Andrew Sells with 6, Jake Shaffer and Ben Shultz with 5 each, Derek Supel with 4, Mike Brant and Dan Laird with 3 each, Adam Day, Jimmy Nicklas, Levi Sager, and Jeb Shipley with 2 each, and Kyle Conaboy, Colby Fuhrman, Matt Funk, Jordan Gall, Chris Houser, Kyle King, Kyle Mahorney, David Messinger, Ian Smith, Ray Sites, and Leonard Sturgis with 1 tackle each. Brandon Nicastro recovered a fumble, Andrew Sells and Drew Sneeringer each recorded 2 sacks and Derek Supel recorded 1 sack for the Mustangs. King and Sneeringer each had a pass defense and Helwig had a pass hurry for the Mustangs.

Chris Helwig returned 3 kickoffs for 97-yards, with the longest going for 65-yards, and Kyle Mahorney returned a kickoff for 3-yards for the Mustangs. Zak Kruger kicked off 9 times for 480-yards, including 2 touchbacks. The Mustangs never punted in the game.

Adam Day, Colby Fuhrman, Jordan Gall, Chris Helwig, Dan Laird, Kyle Mahorney, Jake Myers, Brandon Nicastro, Zac Scott, Andrew Sells, Jake Shaffer, Drew Sneeringer, Derek Supel, and Wes Trostle manned the offensive and defensive line and linebacker positions, with lots of help from Mason Brady, Mike Brant, Chris Houser, Stephen Munchel, Ben Shultz, and Ray Sites. Alex Berwager, Kyle King, Jimmy Nicklas and Levi Sager patrolled the secondary, with plenty of assistance from Tyrell McCleary and Ryan Sexton.

The Mustangs gained 462-yards rushing and 74-yards passing for a total of 536- yards of offense. J. R. Mummert led the Mustangs rushing attack with 20 carries for 136-yards (including a 5-yard touchdown), followed by Jeb Shipley with 9 for 107-yards (including a 25-yard touchdown), Chris Helwig with 11 for 76-yards (including a 5-yard touchdown), Kyle King with 2 for 48-yards (including a 36-yard touchdown), Mike Brant with 4 for 22-yards (including a 5-yard touchdown), Zac Scott with 4 for 20-yards (including a 5-yard touchdown), Tyrell McCleary with 1 for 18-yards, Ian Smith with 2 for 14-yards, Jeff Hacker with 2 for 12-yards, and David Sager with 2 for 9-yards. Quarterback David Sager completed 1 pass for a 41-yard touchdown to Drew Sneeringer before leaving the game with an injury in the second quarter, and backup Quarterback Ian Smith completed 2 passes for 33-yards, 1 for 9-yards to Chris Helwig and 1 for 9-yards to Alex Berwager for the Mustangs.

Carlos Rivera and Vaughn Hebron led the Eagles defense with 12 tackles each, followed by Dakota Gearhart with 10, Andy Wolfgang with 8, Roger Pletcher and Jeff Wesko with 7 each, Kiem Legrant with 5, Harry Caraballo and Josh Vaden with 4 each, Andrew Siers with 3, Donovan Frantz and Nick King with 2 each, and T. J. Adcock, Brody Black, Orlando Bryson, Kawika Fuller, Dustin Hale, Brandon Lutz, and Bryton Reaser with 1 tackle each. Rivera also had an interception for the Eagles.

Carlos Rivera returned 4 kickoffs for 150-yards, with the longest going for the 94-yard touchdown, and Bryton Reaser returned 3 kickoffs for 44-yards for the Eagles. Chris Hoover kicked off 4 times for 178-yards and Steven Ferry punted 5 times for 146-yards, for a 29.2-yard average for the Eagles.

The Eagles gained 150-yards rushing and 81-yards passing for a total offense of 231-yards. Vaughn Hebron led the Eagles rushing attack with 17 carries for 131-yards (including a 3-yard touchdown), followed by Zach Myers with 6 for 27-yards, Jeff Wesko with 1 for 2-yards, Rodney Brown with 2 for minus 2-yards, and Steven Ferry with 4 for minus 8-yards. Quarterback Ferry completed 8 passes for the 81-yards and a touchdown, 3 for 38-yards to Carlos Rivera, 2 for 20-yards to Andy Wolfgang, 1 for 14-yards to Zach Myers, 1 for a 6-yard touchdown to Vaughn Hebron, and 1 for 3-yards to Bryton Reaser, for the Eagles.

The 93 member 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 half time showfrom the sidelines, because of the rainy weather and field conditions, entitled “B-Classical” and featuring the energetic rhythms of Bernstein, passionate melodies of Borodini, and empowering harmony of Bizet. The 175 member Dover Eagles Marching Band put on a spirited half-time show in tribute to the four seasons, featuring “School’s Out for Summer,” “Autumn Leaves,” “Winter Wonderland,” and “Appalachian Spring.” The 23 member strong Mustangs Cheer Leading squad, and the Eagles Cheer Leaders were very impressive in rousing their fandom.

The Mustangs of South Western are 2-2-0 overall and 1-0-0 in York Area Interscholastic Athletic Association (YAIAA) Division I league play.

Don Seidenstricker has a 171-73-1 (.701) record as coach of the Mustangs, who have a career record of 312-191-8. The results of the 511 games played in the history of the South Western Mustangs are a career .620 winning percentage and a .626 non-losing percentage.

Next week the Mustangs visit the den of the Wildcats of Dallastown. Undefeated Dallastown is coming off of a 28-20 win over the Colonials of New Oxford. From here it looks like the Mustangs have hit their stride and are set to continue their winning ways. GO MUSTANGS GO.

THE GRIDIRON 3 - 2008

By Dick Engelhardt

The CUTTERS of Fair Lawn High made a statement that reverberated throughout the Northern Bergen Interscholastic League (NBIL) shocking the THUNDERBIRDS of Mahwah 27-7 in NBIL interdivisional action last week. The crowd celebrated “Hall of Fame Day” as the 2008 inductees to the Fair Lawn High School Athletic Hall of Fame were introduced. It was nice to see long time Fair Lawn announcer and my predecessor as “The Voice of the Cutters,” 2007 inductee, Joe Hausmann there. George Bennett, son of the late legendary football coach (1945-60) and 2006 inductee, Frank Bennett was there too! The Class of ’63, in town for their 45th anniversary reunion, received a warm welcome. Then the celebration really got going!

Behind center Brian Walis, guards Yuval Bussi and Sergio LaPlaca and tackles Mike Oates and Adam Polisi, QB Travis Kubasta and running backs Kevin Carlson, Nick Graff and Joey Visaggio moved the ball. Kubasta threw a picture pass to Carlson for a 33 yard TD and Visaggio jumped up from his extra point holding position to fire a 2 point conversion pass to Christian Samra and our CUTTERS led 8-0 and never looked back. Visaggio electrified the crowd with a brilliant 67 yard TD gallop only to have it nullified by a penalty. Our CUTTERS took the 8-0 lead into the half.

After the T-BIRDS scored to make it 8-7, Visaggio ran the kickoff back 80 yards for a TD to put Fair Lawn up 14-7. Visaggio intercepted a pass and raced for a TD only to have it nullified by a penalty. No matter! Kubasta’s 27 yard TD pass to Graff made it 20-7. With Visaggio holding, Sacir Hot kicked the point after for a 21-7 lead. Carlson’s 5 yard TD scamper closed out the impressive victory.

There were many heroes on “D.” Mike Berkhofer, Egor Buharin, Rob Burns, Graff, Kevin Guy, Pat LaCorte, LaPlaca, James Mallon, Polisi, Kevin Rosario and Samra made great plays. Bussi batted down a crucial pass and Visaggio broke up another. The vaunted T-BIRD offense was thwarted all day. Fair Lawn leads the 1999-2001 and 2007-2008 rivalry 4-1 (800). Our CUTTERS are 2-0 for the first time since 1999 when they beat Ramsey 28-6 and these same T-BIRDS 39-0.

Fair Lawn’s NBIL Division 1 went 2-3 against Division 2. In addition to Fair Lawn’s win the PATRIOTS of Wayne Hills mauled the BEARS of Bergenfield 49-8. However, the GOLDEN KNIGHTS of Northern Valley/Old Tappan lost 27-6 to the RAMS of Ramsey, the GREEN RAIDERS of Ramapo lost 28-10 to the INDIANS of Pascack Valley and the NORSEMEN of Northern Valley/ Demarest lost 10-7 to the BRAVES of Indian Hills. The HIGHLANDERS of Northern Highlands had their Bye.

This Friday at 7 p.m. our CUTTERS travel to Old Tappan to take on the GOLDEN KNIGHTS of Northern Valley for the 25th time. Fair Lawn leads the 1984 – present rivalry 14–10 (.583) but the GOLDEN KNIGHTS have won the last 6 games. Northern Valley is 0-2 and has been outscored 41-13 for an average loss of 20-7. Fair Lawn is 2-0 and has outscored the opposition 68-13 for an average 34-7 victory. Our CUTTERS look to avenge last year’s 35-19 loss and figure to continue winning against the GOLDEN KNIGHTS. From here it looks like Fair Lawn 35 – Northern Valley 7. GO CUTTERS GO!!!

SOUTH WESTERN MUSTANGS GRIDIRON 2008-4

By Bill Engelhardt
________

Last Friday evening, September 12, the Mustangs of South Western hosted the Eagles of Bermudian Springs at the Mustang Corral and the soaring Eagles edged out a 10-7 hard fought victory. Eric Caldwell kicked a 25-yard game winning field goal for the Eagles with 24.4 seconds left in the game.

The Eagles went 3 and out and punted to start the game and the Mustangs marched 26-yards in 5 plays before Jacob Stimer intercepted a Mustangs pass to end that threat. Stimer had 2 interceptions in the game. The weather was rainy, the field was a quagmire, and the going was tough for most of the game. The Mustangs were still able to march up and down the field but turned the ball over 6 times, 3 times on fumbles and 3 times on interceptions, to stymie many a drive.

The Mustangs launched a 9-play 66-yard touchdown drive in the second quarter. The drive featured 5 runs by J. R. Mummert, who scored on a 4-yard run. Zac Kruger’s extra point kick put the Mustangs up 7-0 with 29 seconds left in the first half.

Derek Mummert recovered a Mustang fumble, he had 2 fumble recoveries and an interception in the game, and the Eagles had the ball on their own 49-yard line. A 7-play drive, featuring a nifty 48-yard pass Derek Mummert to the 2-yard line from quarterback Jordan Selfe, ended with Mummert’s 1-yard touchdown plunge. Eric Caldwell kicked the extra point and the game was tied at 7 with 38 seconds left in the third quarter.

Jacob Stimer intercepted his second pass of the game in the third quarter for the Eagles to end another promising Mustang drive. A 13-yard Eagles drive, featuring a 20-yard pass from Selfe to Stimer and several plays for losses ended up turning the ball over to the Mustangs on downs. The Mustangs drove from their 28-yard line to the Eagles 15-yard line, only to fumble and have Derek Mummert recover his second fumble for the Eagles. The Eagles then launched an 8 play 85-yard scoring drive, featuring a 46-yard ramble by the indomitable Derek Mummert. The drive ended with the game winning 25-yard field goal by Eric Caldwell.

Jake Myers led the defense with 16 tackles, a sack and a pass hurry, Chris Helwig had 8 tackles and a pass defense, Alex Berwager and Drew Sneeringer had 7 tackles, Adam Day, Jimmy Nicklas and Zac Scott each had 6 tackles, Derek Supel had 5 tackles and 3 pass hurries, Andrew Sells had 5 tackles, Jake Shaffer had 4 tackles, Brandon Nicastro had 3 tackles, Kyle King, Kyle Mahorney and Levi Sager each had 2 tackles, and Zak Kruger, Dan Laird and Colby Fuhrman each had 1 tackle for the Mustangs.

Tyrell McCleary returned 2 kickoffs for 41-yards and Chris Helwig returned a kickoff for 23-yards for the Mustangs. Zak Kruger kicked off 2 times for 94-yards, with the longest going for 50-yards. Jake Myers punted 1 time for 28-yards for the Mustangs.

Zac Scott, Adam Day, Colby Fuhrman, Jordan Gall, Chris Helwig, Dan Laird, Kyle Mahorney, Jake Myers, Brandon Nicastro, Andrew Sells, Jake Shaffer, Drew Sneeringer, Derek Supel, and Wes Trostle manned the offensive and defensive line and linebacker positions. Alex Berwager, Kyle King, Jimmy Nicklas and Levi Sager patrolled the secondary.

The Mustangs gained 200-yards rushing and 47-yards passing for a total of 247- yards of offense. J. R. Mummert led the Mustangs rushing attack with 26 carries for 112-yards (including the 4-yard touchdown), followed by Chris Helwig with 9 carries for 60-yards, Zac Scott with 2 carries for 16-yards, Jeb Shipley with 3 carries for 9-yards, and David Sager with 3 carries for 3-yards. David Sager completed 4 passes for the 47-yards. Drew Sneeringer led the receivers with 2 receptions for 24-yards, followed by Kyle Mahorney with 1 for 15-yards, and Chris Helwig with 1 for 8-yards for the Mustangs.

The Eagles gained 145-yards rushing and 111-yards passing for a total of 256-yards of offense. Preston Green led the Eagles rushing attack with 12 carries for 79-yards followed by Derek Mummert with 17 for 67-yards, Jeisson Lloret with 3 for 9-yards, Adam Stroup with 1 for 2-yards, and Jordan Selfe with 5 carries minus 12-yards. Quarterback Selfe completed 6 passes for the 111-yards, 3 for 59-yards to Jacob Stimer, 2 for 48-yards to Derek Mummert (including the 1-yard touchdown), and 1 for 4-yards to Stroup, for the Eagles.

The 93 member 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 half time showfrom the sidelines, because of the rainy weather and field conditions, entitled “B-Classical” and featuring the energetic rhythms of Bernstein, passionate melodies of Borodini, and empowering harmony of Bizet. The 33 member Bermudian Springs Eagles Marching Band put on a spirited half-time show featuring tunes from the “Streets of London: Music of Stephen Sondheim.” The 23 member strong Mustangs Cheer Leading squad, and the Eagles Cheer Leaders were very impressive in the rainy conditions.

The Mustangs of South Western are 1-2-0 overall and 0-0-0 in York Area Interscholastic Athletic Association (YAIAA) Division I league play.

Don Seidenstricker has a 170-73-1 (.700) record as coach of the Mustangs, who have a career record of 311-191-8. The results of the 510 games played in the history of the South Western Mustangs are a career .620 winning percentage and a .625 non-losing percentage.

Next week the Mustangs begin league action and host the Eagles of Dover, a new edition to Division I this year. Dover is coming off of a 28-7 loss to the Squires of Delone Catholic. From here it looks like the Mustangs are set to resume their winning ways. GO MUSTANGS GO.

THE GRIDIRON 2 - 2008

By Dick Engelhardt

The CUTTERS of Fair Lawn High walloped the NORSEMEN of Northern Valley/Demarest 41-6 last week at SASSO FIELD in Northern Bergen Interscholastic League (NBIL) Division 1 action. The impressive victory marked the first opening day win for our CUTTERS since they beat Northern Highlands 35-15 in 2000 in Allendale. Their last Home opening day victory at SASSO FIELD was 28-6 over Ramsey in 1999. It was great to be back as the “Voice of the Cutters” with my “spotter,” Kevin Pepitone!

Captains Kevin Carlson, Nick Graff and Joe Visaggio won the coin toss and Fair Lawn took the opening kickoff. QB Travis Kubasta led an impressive drive that ended in a fumble. The Norsemen then scored to lead 6-0 but, on the next drive, Carlson raced 59 yards for a TD. With Visaggio holding, Sacir Hot kicked the extra point and our CUTTERS led 7-6 and never looked back. Then James Mellon blocked a punt and ran it in 30 yards for a TD and Hot’s kick put our CUTTERS ahead 14-6. Visaggio’s 3 yard TD run and Hot’s kick made it 21-6. Carlson’s 11 yard TD run made it 27-6 and our heroes led 34-6 at the half on Carlson’s 12 yard TD scamper and Hot’s kick. In the second half Nick Graff scampered to the 10 leading to Carlson’s 2 yard TD run and Hot’s extra point kick for the 41-6 final. Fair Lawn fans cheered as reserve QB Matt Brunetti took a knee 4 times and turned the ball over as the clock, running continuously by rule when a team has a 35 point lead in the second half, ran out. Carlson, Graff and Visaggio all ran for over 100 yards! Fair Lawn leads the 1956-58 and 1990-2008 series 13-9 (.591).

On “D” our CUTTERS looked great. Graff was all over the field making hits, Chris Samra and Chris Soltys teamed up on some neat plays making the Norsemen feel “Double Chrised!” Carlson and Egor Buharin teamed up on some great plays. Adam Polisi, Graff and Sergio LaPlaca made tremendous hits with LaPlaca recovering a blocked quick kick. Mike Oates made some great stops. Graff and Matt Maher teamed up on a great stop. Visaggio intercepted a pass; Soltys broke up a sure TD pass and recovered a fumble. Samra sacked the QB and Mike Berkhofer and Tim Schrettner teamed up on a sack. Buharin, LaPlaca and Yuval Bussi crunched a runner. The Norsemen were kept reeling all day!

In other NBIL Division 1 action the defending champion PATRIOTS of Wayne Hills came from behind to beat the HIGHLANDERS of Northern Highlands 30-6 and the GREEN RAIDERS of Ramapo fought off the GOLDEN KNIGHTS of Northern Valley/Old Tappan 14-7. In Division 2 the THUNDERBIRDS of Mahwah beat the BEARS of Bergenfield 35-18 and the INDIANS of PASCACK VALLEY scalped the BRAVES of Indian Hills 38-7. The RAMS of Ramsey drew their bye.

On Saturday at 1:30 at SASSO FIELD, our CUTTERS take on the THUNDERBIRDS of Mahwah for the 5th time. During 1999-2001 and 2007 our CUTTERS have gone 3-1 (.750) over the T-BIRDS in NBIL interdivisional action with Mahwah winning 31-15 last year. The T-BIRDS are strong and figure to challenge for the NBIL Division 2 title and take a shot at the Group II playoffs. They earned a 17 point margin of victory last week against Bergenfield while our CUTTERS won by 35 points. Coach Stan Myles’ CUTTERS look to avenge last year’s loss and make a statement to the rest of the NBIL. A victory over the T-BIRDS would certainly do that! From here it looks like Fair Lawn 28 – Mahwah 17. GO CUTTERS GO!!!

THIS WEEK IN FLHS GRIDIRON HISTORY – 2008 Week 2

A WALK DOWN MEMORY LANE
By Dick Engelhardt

1947 - Frank Bennett’s Bergen-Passaic Interscholastic League (B-PIL) defending co-champion CUTTERS beat the Passaic Valley Conference (PVC) GHOSTS of Paterson Eastside 27-6 in independent action. During 1947-54 and 1983 Fair Lawn went 5-4 (.556) over the GHOSTS. This was sweetened by the fact that, until FLHS opened in 1943, most Fair Lawn students attended Eastside. A few students from the Columbia Heights section went to Hawthorne and the Radburn section students went to Ridgewood. The 4-4 (.500) deadlock was broken by the 20-18 Fair Lawn victory in 1983.

1958 – Bennett’s Northern Bergen Interscholastic League (The B-PIL became the NBIL in 1956) CUTTERS were shut out 31-0 by the Northern New Jersey Interscholastic League (NNJIL MAROON RAIDERS of Englewood in independent action. In 1945-46, 1957-58 and 1986-89 independently and in the NNJIL 1959-71, our CUTTERS have gone 14-7 (.667) over the MAROON RAIDERS.

1968 – Frank Devens’ CUTTERS were scalped 21-7 by the INDIANS of Wayne High School in Northern New Jersey Interscholastic League (NNJIL) action. Wayne High became Wayne Valley when Wayne Hills High opened in 1969. During 1967-80 the INDIANS went 9-5 (.643) over our CUTTERS. They left the NNJIL for the Northern Hills Conference (NHC) Skyline Division in 1981 and Fair Lawn left the NNJIL to return to the Northern Bergen Interscholastic League (NBIL) in 1984.

1978 – New coach Pete Natale’s CUTTERS beat the SPARTANS of Paramus in NNJIL action. During 1962-83 the SPARTANS went 12-10 (.545) over our CUTTERS. It was a great rivalry that ended when Fair Lawn returned to the Northern Bergen Interscholastic League (NBIL) in 1984.

1988 – New coach Mike Alberque saw his CUTTERS beat the HIGHLANDERS of Northern Highlands 12-7 in NBIL interdivisional action. The 1986-93 and 1998 – present rivalry with the HIGHLANDERS is tied at 9. Northern Highlands moved to the NBIL Division 1 in ’07 and it’s a divisional rivalry now.

1998 – Alberque’s CUTTERS were beaten 46-7 by the GOLDEN KNIGHTS of Northern Valley/Old Tappan in NBIL Division 1 action. Fair Lawn leads the 1984 – present rivalry 14–10 (.583) but the GOLDEN KNIGHTS have won the last 6 games.

THE GRIDIRON 1 - 2008

By Dick Engelhardt

It’s great to be back on THE GRIDIRON again as The CUTTERS of Fair Lawn High begin their 66th season with a record of 298-275-14 (.520). It all started September 13th, 1943 when FLHS opened without seniors, who stayed at Paterson Eastside, Hawthorne and Ridgewood to graduate in 1944. Coach Marty Fischbein led the CUTTERS to a fine 9-4-2 (.692) record in independent action in 1943 and 44 after starting up with 3 JV games. Some called the new team the COMETS because they scored quickly in their first game (A 7-6 loss to Lodi), and others called them the CLIPPERS. Then, before the Leonia game, team captain Jack Van Olden 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. The miscreants were caught and coach 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. Livingstone, who passed away July 18th, took a pass from Van Olden and ran it 43 yards for a TD. In the 4th quarter, he ran 20 yards for a TD and plunged for the extra point winning the game. The student body, having chosen Crimson and Gray as the school colors, said “The CUTTERS won the game!” and now insisted that the athletic teams be known as “The Cutters of Fair Lawn High.” And so it is 65 years later!

Our heroes have given us plenty to cheer about over the years. In 1945 legendary coach Frank Bennett, a member of the FLHS Athletic Hall of Fame after whom the gymnasium is named, came to Fair Lawn as our CUTTERS ended their independent status and joined the Bergen-Passaic Interscholastic League (B-PIL), which had been formed in 1943 by Bergenfield, Bogota, Hawthorne, Lyndhurst and Ramsey. Bennett’s Cutters won the B-PIL title in 1945, 1946 (with the BUCCANEERS of Bogota), 1947 (with the GOLDEN BEARS of Lyndhurst), 1953 and 1955. The B-PIL became the Northern Bergen Interscholastic League (NBIL) in ’56. Fair Lawn moved up to the Northern New Jersey Interscholastic League (NNJIL) in 1959 and Frank Devens’ Cutters won NNJIL titles in 1965 and 1966 when they finished off a 24 game non-losing streak that was started in the 3rd game of the 1964 season by Ed Sheehy’s CUTTERS. Pete Natale’s CUTTERS shared the NNJIL title in 1980 with the FIGHTING MUSTANGS of Clifton High and the HORNETS of Passaic Valley. The CUTTERS moved back to the NBIL in 1984 and Natale’s teams won the NBIL Division 1 title in 1984, 1985 and 1987. Mike Alberque’s CUTTERS were NBIL Division 1 champs in 1989. The playoffs began in 1974 and Natale’s CUTTERS were in them in 1979, 1980, 1985 and 1987. Alberque’s Cutters were in the playoffs in 1988, 1989 and 2000.

On opening Day, Saturday at 1:30 at SASSO FIELD our CUTTERS take on the NORSEMEN of Northern Valley/Demarest for the 22nd time in NBIL Division 1 action. Our CUTTERS lead the 1956-58 and 1990- present rivalry 12-9 (.571). Last year the NORSEMEN won a 14-13 thriller that our CUTTERS feel they should have won. Coach Stan Myles’ CUTTERS hope to improve on last year’s 4-6 (.400) record that had them winning 4 of their last 6 games. They honed their skills in scrimmages against three Jersey City teams: the LIONS of Lincoln High, the HAWKS of Hudson Catholic and the RAMS of Dickinson High. With QB Travis Kubasta leading the way and Kevin Carlson, Nick Graff and Joe Visaggio lugging the pigskin and a host of other great returnees, our CUTTERS could be strong in ’08. They hope to avenge last year’s heart breaking loss to NV and to get the season off to a good start. From here it looks like Fair Lawn 21 – NV/Demarest 14. GO CUTTERS GO!!!

THIS WEEK IN FLHS GRIDIRON HISTORY – 2008 Week 1

A WALK DOWN MEMORY LANE
By Dick Engelhardt

1948 - Frank Bennett’s Bergen-Passaic Interscholastic League (B-PIL) defending co-champion CUTTERS beat the Passaic Valley Conference (PVC) GHOSTS of Paterson Eastside 27-6 in independent action. During 1947-54 and 1983 Fair Lawn went 5-4 (.556) over the GHOSTS. This was sweetened by the fact that, until FLHS opened in 1943, most Fair Lawn students attended Eastside. A few students from the Columbia Heights section went to Hawthorne and the Radburn section students went to Ridgewood. The 4-4 (.500) deadlock was broken by the 20-18 Fair Lawn victory in 1983.

1958 – Bennett’s Northern Bergen Interscholastic League (The B-PIL became the NBIL in 1956) CUTTERS were shut out 31-0 by the Northern New Jersey Interscholastic League (NNJIL MAROON RAIDERS of Englewood in independent action. In 1945-46, 1957-58 and 1986-89 independently and in the NNJIL 1959-71, our CUTTERS have gone 14-7 (.667) over the MAROON RAIDERS.

1968 – Frank Devens’ CUTTERS were scalped 21-7 by the INDIANS of Wayne High School in Northern New Jersey Interscholastic League (NNJIL) action. Wayne High became Wayne Valley when Wayne Hills High opened in 1969. During 1967-80 the INDIANS went 9-5 (.643) over our CUTTERS. They left the NNJIL for the Northern Hills Conference (NHC) Skyline Division in 1981 and Fair Lawn left the NNJIL to return to the Northern Bergen Interscholastic League (NBIL) in 1984.

1978 – New coach Pete Natale’s CUTTERS beat the SPARTANS of Paramus in NNJIL action. During 1962-83 the SPARTANS went 12-10 (.545) over our CUTTERS. It was a great rivalry that ended when Fair Lawn returned to the Northern Bergen Interscholastic League (NBIL) in 1984.

1988 – New coach Mike Alberque saw his CUTTERS beat the HIGHLANDERS of Northern Highlands 12-7 in NBIL interdivisional action. The 1986-93 and 1998 – present rivalry with the HIGHLANDERS is tied at 9. Northern Highlands moved to the NBIL Division 1 in ’07 and it’s a divisional rivalry now.

1998 – Alberque’s CUTTERS were beaten 46-7 by the GOLDEN KNIGHTS of Northern Valley/Old Tappan in NBIL Division 1 action. Fair Lawn leads the 1984 – present rivalry 14–10 (.583) but the GOLDEN KNIGHTS have won the last 6 games.

SOUTH WESTERN MUSTANGS GRIDIRON 2008-3

By Bill Engelhardt
________

Last Friday evening, September 5, the Mustangs of South Western visited the Mountain – Seven Mountains League’s Golden Tigers of Hollidaysburg and were edged 28-19 in a cliffhanger. It wasn’t decided until the Golden Tigers scored a clinching touchdown with 1:19 left on the game clock.

The Mustangs launched an impressive five-play 80-yard touchdown drive to open the game. David Sager’s 38-yard pass to Chris Helwig started the drive and his 31-yard touchdown pass to Drew Sneeringer ended it at the 9:31 point in the first quarter, putting the Mustangs up 6-0.

The Golden Tigers came right back with a nine play 61-yard touchdown drive. Quarterback Brandyn Ott kept the ball for runs on 4 of the plays and Luke Rhodes capped off the drive with a 32-yard touchdown run. Jason Boland’s extra point kick put the Golden Tigers up 7-6 at 6:16 in the first quarter.

The Mustangs responded again with a nine-play 80-yard touchdown drive. This one opened with a 15-yard pass from David Sager to Kyle Mahorney, featured another pass to Mahorney for 4-yards and five flashy runs by J. R. Mummert, and ended with Mummert’s nifty 27-yard touchdown jaunt, putting the Mustangs up 12-7 at 2:54 in the first quarter.

After each team punted twice, the Golden Tigers launched an eight-play 66-yard touchdown drive. A 9-yard run by Ott started things off and this followed by a 32-yard pass from Ott to Justin Gildea. The drive also featured a 10-yard pass from Ott to Scott Hammond and ended with a 2-yard touchdown pass to Gildea, putting the Golden Tigers up 13-12 with 16 seconds left in the first half.

The Golden Tigers opened the second half with a nine 90-yard touchdown drive. Ott’s 59-yard pass to Ben Pramuk was the featured play of the drive, which ended with a 4-yad touchdown run by Rhodes. Ott’s 2-point conversion pass to Boland put the Golden Tigers up 21-12 at 6:32 in the third quarter.

Each team punted once and then the Mustangs launched an eleven-play 70-yard touchdown drive. The drive featured a 6-yard pass from David Sager to Sneeringer, a 12-yard pass from Sager to Jeb Shipley, 4 runs for 27-yards by J. R. Mummert, 3 runs for 17-yards by Chris Helwig, and ended with the 9-yard touchdown run by Shipley. Zak Kruger’s extra point kick closed the gap to 21-19 in favor of the Golden Tigers at 11:07 in the 4th quarter.

The Golden Tigers then marched 66-yards in 18 plays to score the clinching touchdown. The drive opened with a 4-yard pass from Ott to Boland and ended with a 5-yard touchdown jaunt by Rhodes. Boland’s extra point kick made the final score 28-19 in favor of the Golden Tigers.

The game ended shortly thereafter with Jacob Bickley’s interception of a pass for the Golden Tigers.

Chris Helwig returned a kickoff for 30-yards, Tyrell McCleary returned a kickoff for 16-yards, and Levi Sager returned 2 punts for 17-yards, with the longest going for 10-yards, for the Mustangs. Zak Kruger kicked off 4 times for 193-yards, with the longest going for 60-yards and a touchback. Jake Myers punted 3 times for 114-yards, for a 38-yard average, with the longest going for 42-yards, for the Mustangs.

Jake Meyers, who had 18 tackles and a pass hurry for the night, led the Mustangs defense; followed by Chris Helwig with 12 tackles, Brandon Nicastro with 10, Adam Day with 9, Andrew Sells with 8, Zac Scott, Derek Supel and Drew Sneeringer with 7 tackles each, Jimmy Nicklas and Alex Berwager with 6 tackles each, Jake Shaffer with 4, Levi Sager and Dan Laird with 3 tackles each, Ryan Sexton and Jordan Gall with 2 tackles each, and Ben Shultz, Colby Fuhrman, and Chris Houser with one tackle each. Supel also registered a sack and Sells also was credited with a pass defense for the Mustangs.

Zac Scott, Adam Day, Jordan Gall, Chris Helwig, Jake Myers, Brandon Nicastro, Andrew Sells, Jake Shaffer, Drew Sneeringer, Derek Supel, and Wes Trostle manned the offensive and defensive line and linebacker positions, with plenty of help from Colby Fuhrman, and Dan Laird. Alex Berwager, Kyle King, Jimmy Nicklas, and Levi Sager, patrolled the secondary.

The Mustangs gained 197-yards rushing and 144-yards passing for a total of 341-yards of offense. Quarterback David Sager completed 9 of 19 passes for the 144-yards, including 2 for 40-yards to Alex Berwager, 1 for 38-yards to Chris Helwig, 2 for 37-yards to Drew Sneeringer (who scored the touchdown on a 31-yard reception), 3 for 17-yards to Kyle Mahorney, and 1 for 12-yards to Jeb Shipley for the Mustangs. J. R. Mummert led the Mustangs rushing attack with 18 carries for 122-yards and the 27-yard touchdown, followed by Helwig with 6 for 41-yards, Shipley with 4 for 16-yards and the 9-yard touchdown, David Sager with 3 for 11-yards, and Zac Scott with 3 for 7-yards.

The Hollidaysburg Golden Tigers rang up 199-yards rushing and 115 yards passing for a total of 314 yards gained. Quarterback Brandyn Ott completed 7 of 11 passes for 115-yards and a touchdown, including 2 for 66-yards to Ben Pramuk, 2 for 34-yards to Justin Gildea, 1 for 10-yards to Scott Hammond, 1 for 4-yards to Jason Boland, and 1 for 1-yard to Luke Rhodes. Rhodes led the rushing attack with 21 carries for 91-yards, followed by Ott with 20 for 85, Scott Hammond with 6 for 14, and Gildea with 3 for 9-yards. Jacob Bickley had an interception and Joseph Hargis and Colt Edwards each had a sack for the Golden Tigers.

The 93 member 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 half time performance. The field production of the 2008 edition of the Band, under the guidance of first year Director Ethan Clark, is titled “B-Classical” and features the energetic rhythms of Bernstein, passionate melodies of Borodini, and empowering harmony of Bizet. The Hollidaysburg Golden Tigers Marching Band also put on a rousing half game show. The 23 member strong Mustangs Cheer Leading squad was very impressive as they stirred the loyal Mustangs supporters.

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

Don Seidenstricker has a 170-72-1 (.702) record as coach of the Mustangs, who have a career record of 311-190-8. The results of the 509 games played in the history of the South Western Mustangs are a career .621 winning percentage and a .627 non-losing percentage.

Next week the Mustangs host the Eagles of Bermudian Springs. The Eagles were defeated 30-13 by Northern York in their opener and are coming off of a 30-20 victory over Dover this week. From here it looks like the Mustangs are due to get back on the winning track. GO MUSTANGS GO.