THIS WEEK IN FLHS GRIDIRON HISTORY – 2008 Week 6

A WALK DOWN MEMORY LANE
By Dick Engelhardt

1948 - Frank Bennett’s CUTTERS were shut out 13-0 by the CARDINALS of Pompton Lakes in independent action. - During 1945-50 Charlie Benson’s CARDS and Frank Bennett’s CUTTERS split their fierce rivalry at 3-3 (.500).

1958 – Bennett’s CUTTERS were ambushed 52-0 by the HIGHWAYMEN of Teaneck in independent action. In ’59 Fair Lawn would move up to the Northern New Jersey Interscholastic League (NNJIL) and begin play in the big league with a 12-7 upset victory over Teaneck. During 1954-58 independently and 1959-82 in the NNJIL our CUTTERS went 17-11-1 (.607) over the HIGHWAYMEN.

1968 - Frank Devens’ CUTTERS edged the BEARS of Bergenfield 19-14 in NNJIL play. Fair Lawn leads the 1945-48 and 1962-present rivalry 34-16 (.680) and the 1994-present Turkey Day rivalry 10-4 (.714). The teams have squared off 1945-48 in the Bergen-Passaic Interscholastic League (B-PIL), 1962-83 in the NNJIL and since 1984 in the Northern Bergen Interscholastic League (NBIL), which the B-PIL became in 1956.

1978 – New coach Pete Natale’s CUTTERS mauled the BENGALS of Bloomfield 28-7 in NNJIL action. Our CUTTERS took the 1977 independent and 1978-81 NNJIL rivalry 4-1 (.800). In ’77 Bloomfield was not yet a full NNJIL member because of a commitment to play Irvington on Thanksgiving.

1988 – New coach Mike Alberque’s CUTTERS beat the RAMS of Ramsey 13-7 in NBIL interdivisional action. Fair Lawn leads the 1945-58, 1984-99 and 2002-06 rivalry by an astounding 28 games to 7 (.800)!


1998 – Mike Alberque’s CUTTERS were edged 34-27 by the INDIANS of Pascack Valley in NBIL interdivisional action. Pascack Valley leads the 1955-56, 1984-85 and 1988-present rivalry 13-10-1 (.565) and has won the last 4 games.