THE GRIDIRON 5 - 2008
By Dick Engelhardt
The CUTTERS of Fair Lawn High remained undefeated last Saturday night coming from behind to beat the BRAVES of Indian Hills 42-28 in Northern Bergen Interscholastic League (NBIL) interdivisional action. They are 4-0 (1.000) for the first time since 1988! A muffed punt gave the BRAVES the ball deep in Fair Lawn territory and they scored for a 7-0 lead. Great defensive plays by Egor Buharin, Kevin Carlson and Mike Berkhofer held the BRAVES off and Joe Visaggio raced 80 yards for a TD. With Visaggio holding, Sacir Hot kicked the extra point to tie the game at 7. The BRAVES went ahead 14-7 but, just before the half, Buharin intercepted a pass. Visaggio raced 39 yards for a TD but a penalty nullified it. Carlson then raced to the 4 and another penalty moved our CUTTERS back to the 9. Carlson ran for a TD and our CUTTERS trailed 14-13 at the half.
Fair Lawn kicked off to start the 2nd half and recovered the muff at the 10. Carlson’s TD run put our CUTTERS ahead 19-14 as the 2 point conversion run failed. Buharin broke up a pass and Rob Burns, Sergio LaPlaca, James Mallon, Christian Samra and Chris Soltys made great plays to hold Indian Hills off. Visaggio’s 25 yard TD run followed by his 2 point conversion run put Fair Lawn up 27-14. The BRAVES scored twice to go ahead 28-27 late in the game. On a 4th down play QB Travis Kubasta passed to Visaggio for a 1st down. Visaggio then galloped for a TD and Carlson’s 2 point conversion run put Fair Lawn up 35-28 with 2:29 on the clock. Berkhofer’s fumble recovery led to Carlson’s final TD run and with Visaggio holding, Hot kicked the extra point to close out the scoring. Carlson’s last second interception iced the victory.
Fair Lawn’s NBIL Division 1 went 4-1 (.800) against Division 2 as, in addition to Fair Lawn’s win, the PATRIOTS of Wayne Hills ran their winning streak to 44 games beating the THUNDERBIRDS of Mahwah, 38-14, the HIGHLANDERS of Northern Highlands beat the BEARS of Bergenfield 33-7 and the NORSEMEN of Northern Valley/Demarest shut out the RAMS of Ramsey 28-0 while the GOLDEN KNIGHTS of Northern Valley/Old Tappan were beaten 38-23 by the INDIANS of Pascack Valley. The GREEN RAIDERS of Ramapo had their bye. The NBIL Division 1 is 6-4 (.600) over Division 2 so far in ’08.
This Saturday our CUTTERS are home at SASSO FIELD at 1:30 against the GREEN RAIDERS of Ramapo in a key NBIL Division 1 matchup. From 11:30 until 1:00 there is the 1st annual FLHS Tailgate Party. The $8 admission price includes the game plus a hamburger, hot dog, snack, drink and a raffle ticket. The 1st 50 FLHS students wearing Fair Lawn apparel will receive a prize! Ramapo leads the 1956-58 and 1984-present rivalry 16-11 (.593). Prior to last year’s Fair Lawn 19-18 victory, our CUTTERS had last won in 1995 when we beat freshman QB Chris Simms. Fair Lawn is 4-0 (1.000) and has outscored the opposition 145-48 for an average 36-12 victory. Ramapo is 1-2 (.333) and has been outscored 66-45 for an average 22 -15 loss. Our heroes figure to continue winning. From here it looks like Fair Lawn 35 – Ramapo 10. GO CUTTERS GO!!!
posted by Bill Engelhardt | 3:28 PM
1 Comments:
Hi, Mr. Engelhardt:
I have just come across your blog. Please let me say that anyone who cares at all about Fair Lawn High School football owes you a debt of gratitude. I remember reading your column in the News Beacon way back in the '80's, and I was always impressed that someone took the time and effort to chronicle everything the way you did. Your dedication is inspiring, and you should be very proud of all the fine work you have done. To find that you are still at it makes me very happy.
My father played for the Cutters from '51 - '54. He doesn't believe he suited up for the varsity at all as a freshman, but he's told me he was one of the few freshmen lucky enough to play for the JV, as FLHS was using the split schedule and only freshmen with surnames starting with A,B, or C took morning classes. Then from '52-'54 he played with the varsity.
He remembers a fine 1953 season and believes the team was undefeated, but he can't remember much else. He doesn't think he remembers anything about being crowned BPIL Champs. And he wonders if the naming of a state sectional champ was done years later by statiscians looking back at that season.
Therefore I have a couple of questions for you, if you'd be so kind. Number one, were there officially named state sectional champs at that time or was it done posthumously? And number two, were these things that were spoken of at the time by the kids? Were you aware as a young fan that FL was winning these titles and would Frank Bennett have made the players aware of it, or were these things more something for the AD's and coaches and papers to discuss?
I finally hit the Sasso Field gridiron in '87, albeit as a placekicker. (Somehow I'd been brought up on soccer.) My father isn't quite as fresh as he used to be, and he's also never been one to readily delve into the past. I remember back in the '80's after reading your columns I'd ask him things about his football days, and he seldom really opened up. I've got him to tell me bits and pieces over the years, but I'm left wondering about that championship season. Anything you can tell me will be greatly appreciated.
Once again, thank you for the work you've done for Fair Lawn High School football. Keep up the good work.
Sincerely,
Rick Bergemann
(son of Dick Bergemann)
Post a Comment
<< Home