THIS WEEK IN FLHS GRIDIRON HISTORY – 2008 Week 5

A WALK DOWN MEMORY LANE
By Dick Engelhardt

1948 - Frank Bennett’s CUTTERS beat the RAMS of Ramsey 20-6 in Begen-Passaic Interscholastic League (B-PIL) action. Fair Lawn leads the 1945-58, 1984-99 and 2002-06 rivalry by an astounding 28 games to 7 (.800)!


1958 – Bennett’s CUTTERS edged the NORSEMEN of Northern Valley/Demarest 21-19 in Northern Bergen Interscholastic League (NBIL) action. Our CUTTERS lead the 1956-58 and 1990- present rivalry 13-9 (.591). The B-PIL became the NBIL in 1956 when the BEARS of Hawthorne, then the only Passaic County school in the league, dropped out.

1968 - Frank Devens’ CUTTERS were beaten 20-15 by the SPARTANS of Paramus in Northern New Jersey Interscholastic League (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.

1978 – Pete Natale’s CUTTERS upset the FIGHTING MUSTANGS of Clifton High 15-13 in NNJIL action. During 1972-74 independently and 1975-81 in the NNJIL, Clifton went 8-2-1 (.800) over Fair Lawn including a State playoff victory in 1979.

1988 – New coach Mike Alberque’s CUTTERS were scalped 21-6 by the BRAVES of Indian Hills in NBIL interdivisional action. Fair Lawn leads the 1984-97 and 2000-present rivalry 13-10 (.565).


1998 – Mike Alberque’s CUTTERS walloped the NORSEMEN of Northern Valley/Demarest 42-7 in NBIL action. Our CUTTERS lead the 1956-58 and 1990- present rivalry 13-9 (.591).