THE GRIDIRON 13 - 2008

By Dick Engelhardt

The CUTTERS of Fair Lawn High finished their 2008 season with an impressive 42-0 shut out victory over the BEARS of Bergenfield in Northern Bergen Interscholastic League (NBIL) interdivisional action. It was the 51st game played in the long rivalry. During 1945-48 and 1962-2008, our Cutters have gone 35-16 (.686) against Bergenfield and they lead the Thanksgiving Day series 11-4 (.733).

During the coin toss Fair Lawn High Athletic Director Cory Robinson presented a game jersey to Fair Lawn fan Ed Barwick, who has faithfully attended the games for years. Our CUTTERS held the BEARS on their first drive and then, with Matt Brunetti and then Travis Kubasta at QB and center Brian Walis, guards Yuval Bussi and Sergio LaPlaca and tackles Mike Oates and Adam Polisi blocking, Kevin Carlson, Christian Samra and Joe Visaggio picked up big yardage. Visaggio raced 15 yards for a TD and with Greg Rau snapping and Visaggio holding, the sure footed Sacir Hot kicked the extra point. Fair Lawn led 7-0 and never looked back. Kubasta passed to Chris Soltys for a big gain to the 48 and then to Visaggio for another setting up Samra’s 5 yard TD run. Hot’s kick had Fair Lawn up 14-0. Samra’s 8 yard TD run and Hot’s kick had our CUTTERS ahead 21-0 at the half. Hot nearly kicked a field goal with a free kick from the 40 yard line just before the half!

In the second half, Visaggio ran 18 yards for a TD and Hot kicked the point after to put our heroes up 28-0. Then Kubasta threw a picture perfect 25 yard TD pass to Nick Graff and Hot’s kick had Fair Lawn up 35-0. Carlson electrified the crowd with a 37 yard TD scamper and Hot’s kick closed out the scoring at 42. Carlson’s TD gave him 94 points on the season. One more TD would have had Fair Lawn being the only team in North Jersey with two 100 point scorers; Carlson and Visaggio, who wound up with 127 points! On “D,” Visagio intercepted a pass and Kelvin Rosario and Soltys broke up passes. Davon Johnson made a big stop on a kickoff return. Mike Berkhofer sacked the QB for a big loss and Egor Buharin, James Mallon, Polisi and Brendan Walis made big plays. Fair Lawn’s record 1943-2008 is 304-279-14 (.521).

Fair Lawn’s NBIL Division 1 went 2-1 (.667) against Division 2. In addition to Fair Lawn’s win, the GREEN RAIDERS of Ramapo smashed the BRAVES of Indian Hills 51-0. However, the HIGHLANDERS of Northern Highlands were shut out 31-0 by the INDIANS of Pascack Valley. The NBIL Division 1 finished 17-8 (.680) over Division 2 on the year. In NBIL Division 1 action the GOLDEN KNIGHTS of Northern Valley/Old Tappan beat the NORSEMEN of Northern Valley/Demarest 35-15. The champion PATRIOTS of Wayne Hills had a bye going into their North Jersey, Section 1, Group III State championship game against the LANCERS of Lakeland Saturday at GIANTS STADIUM. In NBIL Division 2 action the THUNDERBIRDS of Mahwah beat the RAMS of Ramsey 21-6.

As our CUTTERS look ahead to 2009 awaiting finalization of the State realignment plan so they’ll know who their foes will be, they’ll miss guys like Rob Burns, Brunetti, Berkhofer, Bussi, Carlson, Spencer Carter, Graff, Hot, LaPLaca Matt Maher, Rau, Visaggio and Brian Walis. However, guys like Buharin, Johnson, Kubasta, Mallon, Oates, Polisi, Rosario, Samra, Tim Schrettner, Soltys, Brendan Walis and others could make our CUTTERS strong. I enjoyed my 12th season as the “Voice of the CUTTERS,” working with my “spotter,” Kevin Pepitone, and can hardly wait until next year! Until then, GO CUTTERS GO!!!