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!!!