THIS WEEK IN FLHS GRIDIRON HISTORY – 2009 Week 8

A WALK DOWN MEMORY LANE
By Dick Engelhardt

1949 – Frank Bennett’s CUTTERS drew a bye.

1959 – Bennett’s CUTTERS shutout the BUCCANEERS of Bogota in Bergen-Passaic Interscholastic League (B-PIL) action. Fair Lawn and Bogota shared the 1946 B-PIL title and our CUTTERS took the 1945-55 rivalry 6-3-2 (.667).

1969 – Frank Devens’ CUTTERS were stung 34-8 by the HORNETS of Passaic Valley in Northern New Jersey Interscholastic League (NNJIL) action. During 1944-46 and 1966 independently and 1967- 81 and 83 in the NNJIL the HORNETS went 13-6-2 (.684) over our CUTTERS including a 20-0 shut out victory in the 1980 State playoff finals at GIANTS STADIUM after Fair Lawn had beaten the INDIANS of Passaic 27-18 in the first round. Fair Lawn had edged Passaic Valley 7-6 during the regular season.

1979 – Pete Natale’s CUTTERS ambushed the HIGHWAYMEN of Teaneck 28-0 in NNJIL action. During 1954-58 independently and 1959-82 in the NNJIL our CUTTERS went 17-11-1 (.607) over the HIGHWAYMEN. Fair Lawn’s 20-6 victory in 2009 in North Jersey Tri-County Conference (NJTCC) Division C action put our CUTTERS up 18-11-1 (.621) in the series.

1989 – Mike Alberque’s NBIL Division 1 champion CUTTERS were scalped 25-14 by the INDIANS of Pascack Valley in NBIL interdivisional 1 action. Pascack Valley leads the 1955-56, 1984-85 and 1988-2008 rivalry 14-10-1 (.583) and has won the last 5 games. Realignment has ended the rivalry for now.

1999 – Alberque’s CUTTERS were beaten 17-8 by those INDIANS of Pascack Valley in NBIL interdivisional action.

SOUTH WESTERN MUSTANGS GRIDIRON 2009-9

By Bill Engelhardt
________

Last Friday evening, October 23, the Mustangs of South Western visited the den of the Panthers of Central York and were edged 13-12 on the strength of a successful extra point kick in a driving rainstorm. Charles Anderson dominated the Panthers game by running up and down the field almost at will but the results of his two long touchdown runs and 310-yards rushing were matched on the scoreboard with two long touchdown passes by Ian Smith for the Mustangs.

The Panthers came out of the gate on the run as Charles Anderson scampered 65-yards for a touchdown on the third play from scrimmage. Aaron Goodyear’s extra point kick, the only successful extra point try of the night, put the Panthers up 7-0 at the 10:40 mark in the first quarter.

The Mustangs ended up punting, got the ball back when David Messinger recovered a Panthers fumble, and drove 36-yards in 5 plays, featuring Levi Sager’s 32-yard jaunt. With first and goal at the 5, J. R. Mummert rushed to the 1 but three plays failed to punch it in and the Mustangs turned the ball over on downs at the Panthers 1-yard line.

The Panthers punted and the Mustangs drove 30-yards in two plays, a 1-yard run by Sager and a 29-yard touchdown pass from Ian Smith to Mike Felton. The extra point attempt failed and the Panthers hung onto a 7-6 lead at 3:06 in the first quarter.

After exchanging punts, the Panthers drove 81-yards in 2 plays, a 24-yard run and a 57-yard touchdown run, both by Charles Anderson. The extra point attempt failed and the Panthers led 13-6 at the 9:53 mark of the second quarter. The first half ended with no further scoring.

After a series of punts and a 42-yard drive by the Panthers that saw them turn the ball over on downs at the Mustangs 27-yard line, the Mustangs drove 73-yards in 4 plays, featuring a 3-yard run by J. R. Mummert, an incomplete pass, a 10-yard penalty against the Panthers, a 1-yard run by Kyle King, and a beautiful 61-yard touchdown pass from Ian Smith to Jimmy Nicklas. The extra point attempt failed and the Panthers still held a 13-12 lead with 57 seconds left in the third quarter.

There was no further scoring in the game but the never say die Mustangs gave the Panthers all they could handle. Jimmy Nicklas recovered a Panthers fumble at the Mustangs 32-yard line. Ian Smith launched a 33-yard pass to Kyle Mahorney to the Panthers 35-yard line. Smith then ran to the 27-yard line and then to the 25-yard line. Following an incomplete pass, Brandon Kenny intercepted a Smith pass with 1:03 left in the game, ending the Mustangs hope for a spectacular finish.

Mike Felton led the Mustangs defense with 11 tackles, followed by Levi Sager with 10, Dan Laird and Ryan Sexton with 9 tackles each, Colby Fuhrman with 6, Jake Myers and Jake Shaffer with 5 tackles each, Kyle King and Billy Utz with 4 tackles each, Aaron Bosley, Cody Fricke, Kyle Mahorney, Tyrell McCleary, David Messinger, and Jimmy Nicklas, with 3 tackles each, Tommy Nicklas with 2 tackles, and Norton Redding with 1 tackle. David Messinger and Jimmy Nicklas each recovered a fumble for the Mustangs. Jimmy Nicklas was credited with 2 pass defenses and Kyle King was credited with a pass defense for the Mustangs.

Levi Sager returned 2 kickoffs 35-yards, with the longest going for 18-yards, and Cody Kephart returned 1 kickoff for no-yards for the Mustangs. Jeb Shipley fair caught 2 punts for the Mustangs. Norton Redding kicked off 3 times for 155-yards, with the longest going for 54-yards for the Mustangs. Mike Felton punted 8 times for 224-yards, with the longest going for 42-yards, for the Mustangs.

Aaron Bosley, Mason Brady, Cody Fricke, Colby Fuhrman, Dan Laird, Kyle Mahorney, David Messinger, Jake Myers, Ryan Sexton, Jake Shaffer, Billy Utz, and Anthony Wildasin manned the offensive and defensive line and linebacker positions. Mike Felton, Kyle King, Tyrell McCleary, Jimmy Nicklas, and Levi Sager patrolled the secondary for the Mustangs.

The Mustangs gained 86-yards rushing and 123-yards passing for a total of 209- yards of offense. Levi Sager led the Mustangs rushing attack with 9 carries for 39-yards, followed by Kyle King with 6 carries for 23-yards, J. R. Mummert with 8 carries for 19-yards, Ian Smith with 6 carries for 8-yards, and Jeb Shipley with 4 carries for minus 3-yards. Quarterback Smith completed 3 of 19 passes for 123-yards and 2 touchdowns, 1 for 61-yards and a touchdown to Jimmy Nicklas, 1 for 33-yards to Kyle Mahorney, and 1 for 29-yards and a touchdown to Mike Felton, for the Mustangs.

The Panthers gained 311-yards rushing and 24-yards passing for a total offense of 335-yards. Charles Anderson led the Panthers rushing attack with 38 carries for 310-yards (including touchdowns of 65 and 57-yards), followed by Parrish Fells with 1 carry for 11-yards, Chris Englar with 2 carries for 1-yard, and Brandon Baker with 6 carries for minus 11-yards. Quarterback Baker completed 2 of 8 passes for 24-yards, both to Fells, for the Panthers. Aaron Goodyear kicked the game winning extra point for the Panthers. Brandon Kenney intercepted a pass for the Panthers to end the Mustangs last chance for a score, and Kyle Baublitz and Karl Rice each blocked a punt for the Panthers.

Kyle Baublitz led the Panthers defense with 15 tackles, followed by Brian Hunter with 11, Nate Emig with 9, Karl Rice and Dylan Wanner with 8 tackles each, Brady Roche with 6, Jacob English with 5, Charles Anderson and Brittan Jones with 4 tackles each, James Culp with 2, and Korey Bosley with 1 tackle.

James Culp returned 3 kickoffs 62-yards, with the longest going for 27-yards, and returned 2 punts for 11-yards, with the longest going for 7-yards, for the Panthers. Aaron Goodyear kicked off 3 times for 130-yards, with the longest going for 52-yards, and punted 6 times for 166-yards, with the longest going for 41-yards, for the Panthers.

The 83 member 9-time Cavalcade of Bands Champions, Tournament of Bands Group IV Champion and US Scholastic Band Champion South Western Mustangs Marching Band put on a stirring half time performance. The field production of the 2009 edition of the Band, under the guidance of second year Director Ethan Clark, is titled “Horsing Around in the Mustang Corral” and is a 50th anniversary musical celebration featuring the school “Alma Mater,” “Magnificent 7,” a lullaby of “All The Pretty Little Horses,” and “The Red Pony.” The Central York Panthers Marching Band put on a spirited pregame performance of their show entitled “The Final Frontier.” It featured a medley of theme songs from the TV shows Star Trek, Lost in Space, and the Jetsons; a chorale from “Jupiter,” part of Gustav Holt’s suite “The Planets;” and closed with the overture from the movie “Star Trek Generations” and selections from “E. T.” The 24 member strong Mustangs Cheerleading squad and the Panthers Cheerleaders were fantastic in rousing their fandom. Both bands and the cheerleaders are to be commended for performing in a monsoon.

The Mustangs of South Western are 7-1-0 overall and 4-1-0 in York Adams Interscholastic Athletic Association (YAIAA) Division I league play.

Don Seidenstricker has a 180-78-1 (.698) record as coach of the Mustangs, who have a career record of 321-196-8. The results of the 525 games played in the history of the South Western Mustangs are a career .621 winning percentage and a .627 non-losing percentage.

Next week the Mustangs continue league play and host the 6-2 overall, 3-2 YAIAA Division I Bearcats of York High (William Penn). The Bearcats are coming off of a 28-0 loss to the Rockets of Spring Grove. From here it looks like the Mustangs are poised to resume their winning ways. GO MUSTANGS GO.

THE GRIDIRON 8 - 2009

By Dick Engelhardt

The CUTTERS of Fair Lawn High demolished the RAMS of William L. Dickinson High of Jersey City 41-8 last Saturday in North Jersey Tri-County Conference (NJTCC) crossover action at SASSO FIELD. The outmanned and winless RAMS had only 17 players in uniform. Captains Travis Kubasta, Christian Samra and Chris Soltys won the coin toss and Fair Lawn received. Davon Johnson ran the kickoff to the 31 and, behind center Alex Callons, guards Max Jacobs and Matt Paisley and tackles Adam Polisi and Steve Sherlock, our heroes went right to work. Samra rambled for big yardage and Egor Buharin scampered 5 yards for a TD. With Callons snapping and Dan Prigge holding, Soltys kicked the extra point and Fair Lawn led 7-0 and never looked back! James Hegybeli’s 12 yard TD run and Soltys’ kick made it 14-0. Buharin intercepted a pass and electrified the crowd running it in for a TD but a penalty nullified it. No matter, Samra ran 18 yards for a TD and Soltys kicked the extra point for a 21-0 Fair Lawn lead at the end of the 1st quarter. Kubasta uncorked a picture 20 yard TD pass to James Mallon to give our Cutters a 27-0 lead. Then Samra bulled for a 1st down and Hegybeli raced 5 yards for a TD. Soltys kicked the PAT and Fair Lawn was up 34-0. Hegybeli’s 7 yard TD gallop and Soltys’ kick had our Cutters up 41-0 at the half! Great defensive plays had been made by Kevin Guy, Mallon, Polisi, Tim Schrettner, Sherlock, and Sam Vovsi and Soltys had intercepted a pass.

Coach Stan Myles let the JV see action through the 2nd half that went quickly as the clock ran continuously by rule because of the 35 plus point differential. QB Prigge handed off to Steve Tatekawa and Anthony Tozzi who rambled for big yardage. Brian Alvarez downed a punt at the 3. On “D,” George Bochelli, James Choe, Kyle Grecco, Nick Hickey, Dondre Roberts, Kevin Tan and Sertac Tarcan made big plays.

All 5 teams in Fair Lawn’s NJTCC Division 3 saw action against outsiders and went 3-2 (.600). In addition to Fair Lawn’s victory, the HIGHLANDERS of West Milford stung the BEES of Bayonne 44-0, and the PATRIOTS of Wayne Hills mauled the BRUINS of North Bergen 42-7. However, the GREEN KNIGHTS of St. Joseph were beaten 42-19 by the MARAUDERS of St. Peter’s Prep of Jersey City and the HIGHWAYMEN of Teaneck were beaten 27-20 by the SOARING EAGLES of Union City. The NJTCC Division 3 record against outside teams is an astonishing 14-3 (.824)!

This Friday at 7:00, our CUTTERS travel to Wayne to take on the PATRIOTS of Wayne Hills in NJTCC Division 3 action. The PATRIOTS lead the 1984-2008 rivalry 19-5 (.792). The 1984-93 Thanksgiving rivalry wound up 5-5 (.500). Fair Lawn’s last victory was in 1989 when Mike Alberque’s Northern Bergen Interscholastic League (NBIL) Division 1 champion and playoff bound Cutters thrashed Wayne Hills 35-8. Our heroes are 6-1 (.857) and have outscored the opposition 184-101 for an average 26-14 victory. Wayne Hills is also 6-1 and has outscored the opposition 247-45 for an average 35-6 victory. Fair Lawn is in a “David versus Goliath” battle and would love to play the part of David. Looking for a passel of power points in their Group IV playoff hunt and a possible home playoff game, our CUTTERS will go all out in this one. The guys in the white coats might come after me on this but I can see our “never-say-die” CUTTERS pulling off the upset of the decade. From here it looks like Fair Lawn 27 – Wayne Hills 24. GO CUTTERS GO!!!

THIS WEEK IN FLHS GRIDIRON HISTORY – 2009 Week 7

A WALK DOWN MEMORY LANE
By Dick Engelhardt

1949 – Frank Bennett’s CUTTERS drew a bye.

1959 – Bennett’s CUTTERS faced the TIGERS of Tenafly in Northern New Jersey Interscholastic League (NNJIL) action. In a hurricane, this was the only game played in North Jersey that day. The TIGERS, seeking to blunt Fair Lawn’s vaunted offense, refused to postpone the game. They scored right away and then neither team could move the ball in the quagmire. The 6-0 Tenafly victory would help throw the NNJIL championship, in Fair Lawn’s maiden season in the big league, to the COMETS of Hackensack, a team Fair Lawn had beaten 27-6, by half a game. The TIGERS would go 3-0 (1.000) over our CUTTERS 1959-61 before leaving for the Bergen County Scholastic League (BCSL).

1969 – Frank Devens’ CUTTERS beat those COMETS of Hackensack 23-7 in NNJIL action. During 1959-82 in the NNJIL, the COMETS went 16-7-1 (.696) over our CUTTERS. Frank Bennett’s 1953 Bergen-Passaic Interscholastic League (B-PIL) champs shared the North Jersey, Section 1, Group III State title with the COMETS. Mike Alberque’s 2000 CUTTERS put up a whale of a battle before losing 14-6 to the nationally ranked COMETS in the States.

1979 – Pete Natale’s CUTTERS scalped the INDIANS of Wayne Valley 33-12 in NNJIL action. During 1967-80 the INDIANS went 9-5 (.643) over our CUTTERS in the NNJIL. They left the league for the Northern Hills Conference (NHC) Skyline Division in 1981 and Fair Lawn left the NNJIL to return to the Northern Bergen Interscholastic League (NBIL) in 1984.

1989 – Mike Alberque’s NBIL Division 1 champion CUTTERS beat the GREEN RAIDERS of Ramapo 28-10 in NBIL Division 1 action. Ramapo leads the 1956-58 and 1984-2008 rivalry 17-11 (.607). Realignment has ended it for now.

1999 – Alberque’s CUTTERS were beaten 25-7 by the PATRIOTS of Wayne Hills in NBIL Division 1 action. The PATRIOTS lead the 1984-2008 rivalry 19-5 (.792). Fair Lawn’s last victory was in 1989 when Mike Alberque’s NBIL Division 1 champion and playoff bound CUTTERS thrashed Wayne Hills 35-8. Fair Lawn and Wayne Hills went 5-5 (.500) in their 1984-93 Thanksgiving Day rivalry.

SOUTH WESTERN MUSTANGS GRIDIRON 2009-8

By Bill Engelhardt
________

Last Friday evening, October 16, the Mustangs of South Western hosted the Lions of Red Lion at the Mustang Corral and galloped to a 41-0 shutout. Levi Sager took up right where he left off a week ago with touchdown runs of 42 and 2-yards. The Lions opened the game by going three and out and the Mustangs drove 51-yards in three plays, ending with Sager’s 42-yard touchdown jaunt. Ian Smith’s extra point kick put the Mustangs up 7-0 at the 8:25 point in the first quarter and the Mustangs were off to the races.

The Lions punted after a short 4 play drive, the Mustangs turned the ball over on downs after a 7 play 31-yard drive, featuring a 33-yard pass from Ian smith to Kyle Mahorney, at the Lions 27-yard line, the Lions punted after a three and out, and the Mustangs drove 52-yards in 6 plays, featuring a 38-yard run by Sager and ending with Sager’s 2-yard touchdown jaunt. Smith’s extra point upped the score to 14-0 at the 9:23 point in the second quarter.

The Lions went three and out again and attempted to punt but the punter caught the snap with his knee down and the Mustangs were in business at the Lions 15-yard line. J. R. Mummert bulled his way 9-yards to the 6, Sager darted to the 2, and Smith called his own number and ran it in from the 2-yard line. His extra point kick made the score 21-0 at the 7:20 point in the second quarter. That’s the way the first half ended.

The Mustangs opened the second half with a 6 play 20-yard drive but ended up punting. The Lions ran off 4 plays before Jake Myers intercepted a pass from Tanner Klinefelter and returned it 51-yards for a Mustangs touchdown, upping the score to 27-0 at the 7:08 point in the third quarter.

After exchanging punts, the Mustangs drove 60-yards in 4 plays (aided by a 15-yard penalty), featuring a 22-yard run by Jeb Shipley and Shipley’s 16-yard touchdown run. Smith’s extra point kick upped the score to 34-0 with 10:13 left in the game.

The Lions fumbled and Matt Funk recovered it for the Mustangs at the Lions 31-yard line. Ryan Sexton then launched a 31-yard touchdown jaunt and Smith’s extra point made the final score 41-0 in favor of the Mustangs with 9:46 left in the game. The mercy rule went into effect and the continuous running of the clock brought the game to a swift end.

Billy Utz led the Mustangs defense with 11 tackles, followed by Cody Fricke with 10, Kyle Mahorney and Jake Myers with 8 tackles each, Ryan Sexton with 7, Levi Sager with 6, Colby Fuhrman and Dan Laird with 5 tackles each, Brad Conroy, Leonard Sturgis and Jake Shaffer with 4 tackles each, Aaron Bosley with 3, Casey Froehlich, Carnie Fryfogle, Kyle King and Tyrell McCleary with 2 tackles each, and Matt Funk, Jeff Hacker, Jimmy Nicklas, Mike Pugh, Norton Redding, and Jeb Shipley with 1 tackle each. Myers, Sexton and Utz each recorded a sack, and Sexton and Shipley each were credited with a pass defense, for the Mustangs.

Ryan Sexton returned 1 kickoff for no yards for the Mustangs. Jeb Shipley returned a punt for 5-yards and Tyrell McCleary returned a punt for 1-yard for the Mustangs. Norton Redding kicked off 7 times for 319-yards, with the longest going for 60-yards and a touchback for the Mustangs. Mike Felton punted 5 times for 156-yards, with the longest going for 43-yards, for the Mustangs.

Aaron Bosley, Mason Brady, Matt Funk, Cody Fricke, Colby Fuhrman, Dan Laird, Kyle Mahorney, Jake Myers, Ryan Sexton, Jake Shaffer, Billy Utz, and Anthony Wildasin manned the offensive and defensive line and linebacker positions, with help from Brady Conroy, Carnie Fryfogle, Jeff Hacker, Josh Hertz, Tommy Nicklas, David Messinger, Woody Stetter, and Leonard Sturgis. Kyle King, Tyrell McCleary, Jimmy Nicklas, and Levi Sager patrolled the secondary, with help from Marty Deal, Casey Froehlich, and Mike Pugh, for the Mustangs.

The Mustangs gained 219-yards rushing and 38-yards passing for a total of 257- yards of offense. Levi Sager led the Mustangs rushing attack with 7 carries for 100-yards (including touchdowns of 42 and 2-yards), followed by Jeb Shipley with 4 for 42-yards (including a 16-yard touchdown), Ryan Sexton with 1 for 31-yards and a touchdown, J. R. Mummert with 13 for 28-yards, Jeff Hacker with 1 for 7-yards, Kyle King with 2 for 4-yards, Tyrell McCleary with 1 for 3-yards, Marty Deal with 1 for 2-yards, Ian Smith with 4 for 1-yard (including a 1-yard touchdown), and Bobby Porter with 2 carries for 1-yard. Quarterback Smith completed 4 of 8 passes for 38-yards, 1 for 33-yards to Kyle Mahorney, 1 for 6-yards to Mummert, 1 for 4-yards to Jimmy Nicklas, and 1 for minus 5-yards to Shipley, for the Mustangs. Ian Smith kicked 5 extra points, Jake Myers returned an interception 51-yards for a touchdown, Mike Felton, Jimmy Nicklas, and Jeb Shipley each intercepted a pass, and Matt Funk and Leonard Sturgis each recovered a fumble for the Mustangs.

The Lions gained 96-yards rushing and 49-yards passing for a total offense of 145-yards. Jeremy Knaub led the Lions rushing attack with 16 carries for 123-yards, followed by Steve States with 6 for 5, K. J. Gauntt with 1 for no yards, Dylan McCoy with 1 for no yards, and Tanner Klinefelter with 11 carries for minus 32-yards. Sophomore quarterback Klinefelter, replacing Chad Kelly (nephew of Hall of fame quarterback Jim Kelly of the Buffalo Bills) who has been dismissed from the team, completed 5 of 15 passes for 49-yards, 1 for 27-yards to Branden Kessler, 2 for 13-yards to Dylan McCoy, 1 for 5-yards to Steve States, and 1 for 4-yards to Erik Althoff, for the Lions.

The 83 member 9-time Cavalcade of Bands Champions, Tournament of Bands Group IV Champion and US Scholastic Band Champion South Western Mustangs Marching Band put on a stirring half time performance, from the sidelines due to the weather. The field production of the 2009 edition of the Band, under the guidance of second year Director Ethan Clark, is titled “Horsing Around in the Mustang Corral” and is a 50th anniversary musical celebration featuring the school “Alma Mater,” “Magnificent 7,” a lullaby of “All The Pretty Little Horses,” and “The Red Pony.” The 24 member strong Mustangs Cheerleading squad, swelled to 45 members for the second half when the JV and middle school cheerleaders joined in, and the Lions Cheerleaders were fantastic in rousing their fandom.

The Mustangs of South Western are 7-0-0 overall and 4-0-0 in York Adams Interscholastic Athletic Association (YAIAA) Division I league play.

Don Seidenstricker has a 180-77-1 (.700) record as coach of the Mustangs, who have a career record of 321-195-8. The results of the 524 games played in the history of the South Western Mustangs are a career .622 winning percentage and a .628 non-losing percentage.

Next week the Mustangs continue league play and visit the den of the Panthers of Central York (5-2 overall, 4-0 YAIAA Division I), in a showdown for the Division lead. The Panthers are coming off of a 49-6 victory over the winless Eagles of Dover. From here it looks like the Mustangs are poised to continue on the winning track. GO MUSTANGS GO.

THE GRIDIRON 7 - 2009

By Dick Engelhardt

The CUTTERS of Fair Lawn High downed the SOARING EAGLES of Union City 42-14 last Friday night in North Jersey Tri-County Conference (NJTCC) crossover action at the new Union City High School and Roosevelt Stadium complex, virtually assuring themselves a spot in the North Jersey, Section 1, Group IV playoffs. Captains Egor Buharin, Regis Larkin and James Mallon won the coin toss and Fair Lawn received. Behind center Larkin, guards Max Jacobs and Matt Paisley and tackles Adam Polisi and Steve Sherlock, running backs Buharin, James Hegybeli, Kelvin Rosario and Christian Samra ran through the SOARING EAGLES’ defense. Then Kevin Benjamin’s fumble recovery led to Hegybeli’s 15 yard TD run and our CUTTERS led 6-0. The SOARING EAGLES roared back to take a 7-6 lead. However, Davon Johnson electrified the crowd on the kickoff with an 87 yard return to put Fair Lawn ahead 12-7 and our CUTTERS never looked back! Rosario rambled for a big 1st down and left the game with an injury. Hegybeli’s 18 yard TD run made it 18-7 and Buharin bulled in for the 2 point conversion to give Fair Lawn a 20-7 halftime lead.

In the 3rd quarter Kevin Guy’s fumble recovery led to a beautiful 54 yard TD pass from QB Travis Kubasta to Chris Soltys. Samra bulled in for the 2 point conversion and Fair Lawn led 28-7. The SOARING EAGLES came back to make it 28-14 but our CUTTERS put the game away. Kubasta uncorked a 21 yard TD strike to Soltys and Hegybeli’s 2 point conversion run made it 36-14. Our CUTTERS made a dramatic goal line stand led by Polisi and Sherlock and then Buharin raced over 85 yards to the 7. Hegybeli’s TD run closed out the scoring.

On “D” Anthony Tozzi made a huge 3rd down stop. James Mallon and Guy teamed up on a stop and Kubasta and Buharin made big plays. Johnson’s TD saving open field tackle on a kickoff return was a beauty to behold!

In Fair Lawn’s NJTCC Division 3 action, the PATRIOTS of Wayne Hills ambushed the HIGHWAYMEN of Teaneck 30-7 and the GREEN KNIGHTS of St. Joseph beat the HIGHLANDERS of West Milford 24-7. Fair Lawn’s crossover victory brought our NJTCC Division 3 record against outside teams to an astonishing 11-1 (.917)!

This Saturday at 1:00, our CUTTERS are home at SASSO FIELD against the RAMS of William L. Dickinson High School of Jersey City in NJTCC crossover action. Our heroes are 5-1 (.833) and have outscored the opposition 143-93 for an average 24-16 victory. Dickinson is 0-6 and has been outscored 219-52 for an average 37-9 loss. Looking for more power points in the Group IV playoff hunt, our CUTTERS figure to beat the North Jersey, Section II, Group IV RAMS. From here it looks like Fair Lawn 47 – Dickinson 8. GO CUTTERS GO!!!

THIS WEEK IN FLHS GRIDIRON HISTORY – 2009 Week 6

A WALK DOWN MEMORY LANE
By Dick Engelhardt

1949 – Frank Bennett’s CUTTERS went outside their Bergen-Passaic Interscholastic League (B-PIL) to shut out the CARDINALS of Pompton Lakes 7-0 in independent action. During 1945-50 Charlie Benson’s CARDS and Frank Bennett’s CUTTERS split their fierce rivalry at 3-3 (.500).

1959 – Bennett’s CUTTERS edged the MAROON RAIDERS of Englewood in Northern New Jersey Interscholastic League (NNJIL) action. In independent action 1945-46, 1957-58 and 1986-89 and in the NNJIL 1959-71, our CUTTERS have gone 14-7 (.667) over the MAROON RAIDERS.

1969 – Frank Devens’ CUTTERS mauled the BEARS of Bergenfield 47-14 in Northern New Jersey Interscholastic League (NNJIL) action. Fair Lawn leads the 1945-48 and 1962-2008 rivalry 35-16 (.686) and the 1994-2008 Turkey Day rivalry 11-4 (.733). The teams have squared off 1945-48 in the B-PIL, 1962-83 in the NNJIL and since 1984 in the NBIL. Realignment has ended the rivalry at least for now.

1979 – Pete Natale’s CUTTERS beat the BENGALS of Bloomfield 43-20 in Northern New Jersey Interscholastic League (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.

1989 – Mike Alberque’s NBIL Division 1 champion CUTTERS beat the RAMS of Ramsey 28-14 in NBIL interdivisional action. Fair Lawn leads the 1945-58, 1984-99 and 2002-06 rivalry by an astounding 28 games to 7 (.800)! Realignment has ended it for now.

1999 – Alberque’s CUTTERS were shutout 7-0 by the GREEN RAIDERS of Ramapo in NBIL Division 1 action. Ramapo leads the 1956-58 and 1984-2008 rivalry 17-11 (.607). Realignment has ended it, at least for now.

SOUTH WESTERN MUSTANGS GRIDIRON 2009-7

By Bill Engelhardt
________

Last Friday evening, October 9, the Mustangs of South Western visited the Rockets of Spring Grove at the beautiful Papermaker Stadium and came away with a convincing 21-0 victory, using a well-balanced attack of equal parts rushing and passing. Levi Sager accounted for 20 of the 21 points scored with a 65 yard punt return for a touchdown, a 10-yard touchdown run, a 5-yard touchdown pass reception, and a 2-point conversion run.

Jeb Shipley started the game by returning the Rockets kickoff 38-yards to the Rockets 49-yard line. The drive ended with a turnover on downs at the Rockets 34-yard line. The Rockets went three and out and punted. The Mustangs then launched a 56-yard drive, featuring a 15-yard pass from Ian Smith to Mike Felton and an 18-yard run by Shipley. Sager’s 10-yard touchdown jaunt and Ian Smith’s extra point kick put the Mustangs up 7-0 at the 5:04 point in the first quarter.

Felton intercepted a Rockets pass for the Mustangs and Keith Stambaugh returned the favor with the first of his three interceptions for the Rockets. The Rockets punted and Sager returned the punt for a 65-yard touchdown, putting the Mustangs up 13-0 with 27 seconds left in the first quarter.

The Rockets punted again on their next possession and Andrew Small recovered a Mustangs fumble. Soon thereafter Jake Myers intercepted a Rockets pass and returned it for 15-yards. The teams exchanged punts, including a 73-yard punt by Keith Stambaugh for the Rockets. A Mustangs drive, featuring a 51-yard pass from Smith to Felton, ended with Stambaugh’s second interception (his third interception in the end zone ended a Mustangs drive in the third quarter). A 25-yard pass from Neal Grudi to Dillon Durst went for naught when Sager intercepted a Rockets pass for the Mustangs. Ben Reigart intercepted a Mustangs pass in the end zone to thwart a drive and the first half ended with the Mustangs up 13-0.

Kyle King intercepted a Rockets pass on the first play from scrimmage in the second half and returned it 11-yards to the Rockets 32-yard line for the Mustangs. Seven plays later Smith lofted a 5-yard touchdown pass to Sager, who put the icing on the cake with his 2-point conversion run. That closed out the scoring with the Mustangs on top 21-0.

Billy Utz led the Mustangs defense with 13 tackles, followed by Jake Myers with 12, Kyle Mahorney with 10, Colby Fuhrman with 7, Cody Fricke and Dan Laird with 6 tackles each, Leonard Sturgis with 5, Aaron Bosley and Ryan Sexton with 4 tackles each, Kyle King and Tyrell McCleary with 3 tackles each, Mike Felton and Levi Sager with 2 tackles each, and Jeff Hacker, Jimmy Nicklas and Ian Smith with 1 tackle each. Mahorney recorded 4 sacks and Bosley and Laird each recorded a sack for the Mustangs. Mahorney was credited with 4 pass hurries, Sexton was credited with 2 pass hurries, and Fricke and Myers were each credited with 1 pass hurry, and Fricke was credited with a pass defense, for the Mustangs. Kyle Conaboy and Jeff Hacker each recovered a fumble and Felton, King, Myers and Sager each intercepted a pass for the Mustangs.

Jeb Shipley returned 1 kickoff for 38-yards, and returned 1 punt for 6-yards for the Mustangs. Levi Sager returned 2 punts for 77-yards, with the longest going for 65-yards and a touchdown, and Tyrell McCleary fair caught 1 punt, for the Mustangs. Norton Redding kicked off 4 times for 206-yards, with the longest going for 52-yards for the Mustangs. Mike Felton punted 2 times for 72-yards, with the longest going for 56-yards, for the Mustangs.

Aaron Bosley, Mason Brady, Cody Fricke, Colby Fuhrman, Dan Laird, Kyle Mahorney, Jake Myers, Ryan Sexton, Billy Utz, and Anthony Wildasin manned the offensive and defensive line and linebacker positions, with help from Brady Conroy and Leonard Sturgis. Kyle King, Tyrell McCleary, Jimmy Nicklas, and Levi Sager patrolled the secondary for the Mustangs.

The Mustangs gained 163-yards rushing and 139-yards passing for a total of 302- yards of offense. Jeb Shipley led the Mustang rushing attack with 11 carries for 75-yards, followed by J. R, Mummert with 15 for 60, Levi Sager with 8 for 34 (including a 10-yard touchdown), Kyle King with 2 for 2-yards, and Ian Smith with 2 for minus 8-yards. Quarterback Smith completed 8 of 15 passes for 139-yards and a touchdown, 5 for 110-yards to Mike Felton, 1 for 24-yards to Jimmy Nicklas, 1 for 5-yards and a touchdown to Levi Sager, and 1 for no yards to Shipley, for the Mustangs. Ian Smith kicked an extra point and Levi Sager had a 2-point conversion run (he accounted for 20 of the 21 points scored by the Mustangs).

The Rockets gained only 16-yards rushing and 104-yards passing for a total offense of 120-yards. Joshua Slate led the Rockets rushing attack with 5 carries for 10-yards, followed by Bobby Bailey with 9 for 9, Andrew Walker with 1 for 6, Patrick Thomas with 3 for 3-yards, and Neal Grudi with 11 for minus 26-yards. Quarterback Grudi completed 7 of 19 passes for 104-yards, 2 for 44-yards to Slate, 3 for 29-yards to Ben Reigart, 1 for 25-yards to Dillon Durst, and 1 for 6-yards to Cortlin Dell, for the Rockets.

Cortlin Dell led the Rockets defense with 17 tackles, followed by Jesse Meckley with 13, Matt Shearer with 11, Dillon Yost with 10, Drew Tiehel with 7, Patrick Bradenbaugh and Josh Nell with 5 tackles each, Max Ruby and Andrew Small with 4 tackles each, Neal Grudi with 3, Trey Duncan, Ben Reigart, and Alec Piety with 2 tackles each, and Jean-pierre Graham, Kevin Linsey, and Keith Stambaugh with 1 tackle each. Stambaugh intercepted 3 passes, Duncan and Reigart each intercepted a pass, and Small recovered a fumble for the Rockets.



The 83 member 9-time Cavalcade of Bands Champions, Tournament of Bands Group IV Champion and US Scholastic Band Champion South Western Mustangs Marching Band put on a stirring half time performance. The field production of the 2009 edition of the Band, under the guidance of second year Director Ethan Clark, is titled “Horsing Around in the Mustang Corral” and is a 50th anniversary musical celebration featuring the school “Alma Mater,” “Magnificent 7,” a lullaby of “All The Pretty Little Horses,” and “The Red Pony.” The 72 member Spring Grove Rockets Marching Band put on a sparkling pregame presentation of their show entitled “Asia: Power, Beauty and Balance,” featuring “Marimba Spiritual,” “Arirang,” and “Year of the Dragon.” The band will travel to Hawaii in January. The 24 member strong Mustangs Cheer Leading squad, and the 22 Rockets Cheer Leaders were fantastic in rousing their fandom.

The Mustangs of South Western are 6-0-0 overall and 3-0-0 in York Adams Interscholastic Athletic Association (YAIAA) Division I league play.

Don Seidenstricker has a 179-77-1 (.699) record as coach of the Mustangs, who have a career record of 320-195-8. The results of the 523 games played in the history of the South Western Mustangs are a career .621 winning percentage and a .627 non-losing percentage.

Next week the Mustangs continue league play and host the Lions of Red Lion. The Lions are coming off of a 55-13 victory over the winless Eagles of Dover. From here it looks like the Mustangs are ready to continue galloping along the winning track. GO MUSTANGS GO.

THE GRIDIRON 6 - 2009

By Dick Engelhardt

The CUTTERS of Fair Lawn High were shutout 37-0 by the GREEN KNIGHTS of St. Joseph Regional in North Jersey Tri-County Conference (NJTCC) Division 3 action last week. Behind center Regis Larkin, guards Max Jacobs and Matt Paisley and tackles Adam Polisi and Steve Sherlock, running back Christian Samra raced for a first down on the opening play and the CUTTERS and their ardent fans thought they had something going. It was not to be, however. James Hegybeli, Kelvin Rosario and Samra made some nice runs but our CUTTERS were outsized and outmanned as the GREEN KNIGHTS led 16-0 at halftime and rolled to their shutout victory. Chris Soltys made booming punts and Davon Johnson and Bryan Turton made some nice kickoff returns. James Mallon and Kevin Guy sacked the QB and Johnson broke up a pass and teamed up with Turton on a TD saving tackle. Soltys intercepted a pass and Alex Alvarez, Kevin Benjamin, Alex Callons, Jacobs, Dave Pinuel, Polisi, Rosario, Tim Schrettner, Sherlock and Anthony Tozzi made big plays on “D.”

The GREEN KNIGHTS have outscored our CUTTERS in 1982 and 2009 by a combined 57-0. Fair Lawn’s last shutout loss was 35-0 against the PATRIOTS of Wayne Hills in 2007. Fair Lawn’s last shutout victory was 42-0 against the BEARS of Bergenfield on Thanksgiving Day in 2008. Our CUTTERS have shutout the opposition 82 times and have been shutout 81 times in their 67 season GRIDIRON history.

The game reminded me of the 1961 National Football League (NFL) championship game in which the Green Bay Packers shutout the New York Giants 37-0. That was before the Super Bowl and the Houston Oilers beat the San Diego Chargers 10-3 in the American Football League (AFL) championship game. In 1970 the AFL and NFL merged and, within the new NFL, the AFL teams formed the American Football Conference (AFC) and the NFL teams formed the National Football Conference (NFC). When a public school has to play one of the area parochial powerhouses, it might as well be playing those Green Bay Packers. Come to think of it, the Green and Gold clad GREEN KNIGHTS looked a lot like the Packers!

In the other NJTCC Division 3 game, the HIGHLANDERS of West Milford ambushed the HIGHWAYMEN of Teaneck 42-41. The PATRIOTS of Wayne Hills recovered from their 17-15 loss to St. Joseph the previous week and stung the BEES of Bayonne 56-0 in NJTCC crossover action. Fair Lawn’s NJTCC Division 3 is now 10-1 (.909) against outside teams on the year!

This Friday night at 7:00, our CUTTERS travel to Union City to play at the new combined Union City High School and Roosevelt Stadium in NJTCC crossover action. In 1925, the towns of Union Hill and West Hoboken merged into Union City. After all these years, the two high schools, Union Hill and Emerson, have now become one, and the HILLERS and BULLDOGS have become the SOARING EAGLES. Our CUTTERS are 4-1 (.800) and have outscored their opposition 101-79 for an average 20-16 victory. The SOARING EAGLES are 1-4 (.200) and have been outscored 134-81 for an average 27-16 loss. I checked out the spanking new high school and stadium last week and saw the MARAUDERS of St. Peter’s Prep shutout the SOARING EAGLES 50-0. The stadium announcer mentioned that they would welcome Fair Lawn High School to “The Nest” this week. With an all out effort, our CUTTERS figure to take this game and get back on the winning track. From here it looks like Fair Lawn 21 – Union City 6. GO CUTTERS GO!!!

THIS WEEK IN FLHS GRIDIRON HISTORY – 2009 Week 5

A WALK DOWN MEMORY LANE
By Dick Engelhardt

1949 – Frank Bennett’s CUTTERS beat the RAMS of Ramsey 19-6 in Bergen-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)!
Realignment has ended it for now.

1959 – Bennett’s CUTTERS went outside their Northern New Jersey Interscholastic League (NNJIL) and mauled the KNIGHTS of Morris Hills High of Rockaway 52-12. The KNIGHTS would win the 1960 rematch 19-6 closing out the 2 year rivalry.

1969 – Frank Devens’ CUTTERS were beaten 28-8 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 Northern Bergen Interscholastic League (NBIL) in 1984.It could be renewed in “crossover” action in the new Big North Conference (BNC) in 2010.

1979 – Pete Natale’s CUTTERS shocked the FIGHTING MUSTANGS of Clifton High 21-0 in NNJIL action. Clifton would get even shutting out Fair Lawn 30-0 in the North Jersey, Section 1, Group IV playoffs. During 1972-74 independently and 1975-81 in the NNJIL, Clifton went 8-2-1 (.800) over Fair Lawn. The rivalry will be renewed in 2010 as Fair Lawn and Clifton join the new BNC Division II.

1989 – Mike Alberque’s NBIL Division 1 champion CUTTERS scalped the BRAVES of Indian Hills in NBIL interdivisional action. Fair Lawn leads the 1984-97 and 2000-2008 rivalry against the BRAVES 13-10 (.565). Realignment has ended it for now.

1999 – Alberque’s CUTTERS beat the NORSEMEN of Northern Valley, Demarest 33-0 in NBIL Division 1 action. Fair Lawn took the 1956-58 and 1990- 2008 rivalry 13-9 (.591). Realignment has ended it for now.

SOUTH WESTERN MUSTANGS GRIDIRON 2009-6

By Bill Engelhardt
________

Last Friday evening, October 2, the Mustangs of South Western hosted the Wildcats of Dallastown at the Mustang Corral and came away with a 24-10 win to stay in the ranks of the undefeated. The Mustangs started off by holding the Wildcats to a short opening series with a punt after gaining one first down. Levi Sager scampered virtually untouched for a 62-yard touchdown for the Mustangs on their first play from scrimmage. Ian Smith’s extra point kick put the Mustangs up 7-0 at the 9:29 mark in the first quarter.

The Wildcats went three and out and punted and the Mustangs launched an eight play 73-yard drive, featuring 15-yard pass from Ian Smith to Kyle Mahorney and a terrific 22-yard touchdown toss from Smith to Mike Felton. Smiths extra point kick put the Mustangs up 14-0 with 4:07 left in the first quarter.

The Wildcats responded with a seven play 71-yard drive featuring an 11-yard run by Tyler Imhoff and a 39-yard run by Adam Lawicki, and ending with a 1-yard touchdown plunge by Ben Kline. Ryan Behrmann’s extra point kick made the score 14-7 with 50 seconds left in the first quarter.

Ryan Sexton recovered a fumble to stop a Wildcats drive and Jimmy Nicklas intercepted a pass, stopping another Wildcats drive, in the second quarter. The first half ended with the score 14-7.

The teams traded field goals in the third quarter, with Ian Smith nailing a 25-yard one for the Mustangs at the 7:19 mark and Ryan Behrmann nailing one for 26-yards for the Wildcats at the 4:17 mark. The third quarter ended with the score 17-10 in favor of the Mustangs.

Jake Shaffer recovered a fumble for the Mustangs to thwart a Wildcats drive and the Wildcats failed to convert on a forth down play on another drive and the Mustangs took over on downs at the 40-yard line of the Wildcats. Seven plays later, featuring an 8-yard pass from Smith to Jimmy Nicklas, and a 7-yard pass from Smith to Kyle King, King scampered for a 16-yard touchdown for the Mustangs. Smith’s extra point kick closed out the scoring at 24-10 in favor of the Mustangs with 2:13 left in the game.

The Mustangs took over on downs again with 1:20 left and ran out the clock.

Kyle Mahorney, Jake Myers, Ryan Sexton and Jake Shaffer led the Mustangs defense with 10 tackles each, followed by Cody Fricke and Jimmy Nicklas with 7 each, Dan Laird and Levi Sager with 5 each, Colby Fuhrman, Matt Funk and Tyrell McCleary with 4 each, Aaron Bosley, Bobby Porter, and Billy Utz with 2 tackles each, and Kyle King with 1-tackle. Jake Shaffer recorded 2 pass defenses, Mike Felton recorded a pass defense, Mahorney recorded 2 pass hurries, and Shaffer recorded a pass hurry, for the Mustangs.

Levi Sager returned 3 kickoffs for 74-yards, with the longest going for 38-yards, and fair caught 2 punts, for the Mustangs. Norton Redding kicked off 5 times for 246-yards, with the longest going for 53-yards for the Mustangs. Mike Felton punted 4 times for 110-yards, with the longest going for 33-yards, for the Mustangs.

Aaron Bosley, Mason Brady, Cody Fricke, Colby Fuhrman, Dan Laird, Kyle Mahorney, Jake Myers, Ryan Sexton, Jake Shaffer, Billy Utz, and Anthony Wildasin manned the offensive and defensive line and linebacker positions, with help from Matt Funk. Kyle King, Tyrell McCleary, Jimmy Nicklas, and Levi Sager patrolled the secondary for the Mustangs.

The Mustangs gained 219-yards rushing and 83-yards passing for a total of 302- yards of offense. Levi Sager led the Mustangs rushing attack with 13 carries for 90-yards (including a 62-yard touchdown), followed by J. R. Mummert with 17 for 83, Kyle King with 6 for 53 (including a 16-yard touchdown), Ian Smith with 7 for 9-yards, Mike Felton with 1 for minus 3-yards, and a team loss of 13-yards. Quarterback Smith completed 7 of 16 passes for 83-yards and a touchdown, 3 for 40-yards to Felton (including a 22-yard touchdown), 1 for 17-yards to Kyle Mahorney, 1 for 10-yards to Sager, 1 for 8-yards to King, and 1 for 8-yards to Jimmy Nicklas, for the Mustangs. Smith kicked a 25-yard field goal and 3 extra points for the Mustangs. Nicklas intercepted a pass, and Ryan Sexton and Jake Shaffer each recovered a fumble for the Mustangs.

The Wildcats gained 145-yards rushing and 78-yards passing for a total offense of 223-yards. Adam Lawicki led the Wildcats rushing attack with 14 carries for 100-yards, followed by Josh Luckenbaugh with 5 for 34, and Tyler Imhoff with 9 for 10-yards, and Ben Kline with a 1-yard touchdown run. Quarterback Luckenbaugh completed 7 of 20 passes for 57-yards and quarterback Ford Reinalda completed 2 of 6 passes for 21-yards, for the Wildcats. Kline caught 2 passes for 30-yards, K. C. Abakporo caught 1 for 17-yards, Imhoff caught 4 for 16-yards, and Grant Miller caught 2 for 15-yards, for the Wildcats. Ryan Behrmann kicked a 26-yard field goal and an extra point for the Wildcats.

The 83 member 9-time Cavalcade of Bands Champions, Tournament of Bands Group IV Champion and US Scholastic Band Champion South Western Mustangs Marching Band put on a stirring pregame performance. The field production of the 2009 edition of the Band, under the guidance of second year Director Ethan Clark, is titled “Horsing Around in the Mustang Corral” and is a 50th anniversary musical celebration featuring the school “Alma Mater,” “Magnificent 7,” a lullaby of “All The Pretty Little Horses,” and “The Red Pony.” The 177 member Dallastown Wildcats Marching Band put on a spirited half time show entitled “Movin Out: The Music of Billy Joel,” including “We Didn’t Start the Fire,” “Piano Man,” “My Life,” ”Only the Good Die Young,” “And So it Goes,” “Prelude to an Angry Young Man,” and “Just the Way You Are.” The 24 member strong Mustangs Cheer Leading squad, and the Wildcats Cheer Leaders were very impressive in rousing their fandom. As part of the 50th anniversary of the football program, the Mustangs introduced members of the football teams from the 1970s before the game.

The Mustangs of South Western are 5-0-0 overall and 2-0-0 in York Adams Interscholastic Athletic Association (YAIAA) Division I league play.

Don Seidenstricker has a 178-77-1 (.698) record as coach of the Mustangs, who have a career record of 319-195-8. The results of the 522 games played in the history of the South Western Mustangs are a career .621 winning percentage and a .626 non-losing percentage.

Next week the Mustangs continue league play and visit the Rockets of Spring Grove. The Rockets are coming off of a 40-23 loss to the Lions of Red Lion. From here it looks like the Mustangs are ready to gallop along on the winning track. GO MUSTANGS GO.

THE GRIDIRON 5 - 2009

By Dick Engelhardt

The CUTTERS of Fair Lawn High won a thriller edging the HIGHLANDERS of West Milford 21-20 in North Jersey Tri County Conference (NJTCC) Division 3 action last week. The game was broadcast by WGHT Radio (1500AM) with the popular John Fass and Marco Balletti at the mike. Their “player of the game,” Christian Samra, picked up big yardage from the start behind center Regis Larkin, guards Max Jacobs and Matt Paisley and tackles Adam Polisi and Steve Sherlock, as did Egor Buharin, James Hegybeli and Kelvin Rosario. QB Travis Kubasta threw a picture 28 yard TD pass to Chris Soltys and our CUTTERS led 6-0. Hegybelli ran 7 yards for a TD and Kubasta’s 2 point conversion pass to James Mallon made it 14-0 at the half. That conversion would ultimately prove to be the difference!

In the 2nd half the HIGHLANDERS came out throwing and scored 3 TDs to take a 20-14 lead! Kubasta’s interception at the Fair Lawn 4 and runback saved the day. It led to Samra’s 2 yard TD run. Fair Lawn fans’ hearts were in their throats as, with Brendan Walis holding, the sure footed Soltys kicked the extra point for the 21-20 Fair Lawn lead. Our heroes weren’t done yet as Buharin recovered a fumble and Soltys intercepted a pass in the closing minutes. Hegybelli picked up a big 1st down and Fair Lawn fans breathed a sigh of relieve as Kubasta took a knee to end the thriller. The win evened Fair Lawn’s 1983 and 2009 record against West Milford at 1-1 (.500).

It was “Hall of Fame day” at SASSO FIELD as the 2009 Fair Lawn High School Athletic Hall of Fame inductees, including this writer, were introduced at halftime. Each inductee was escorted onto the field by a beautiful FLHS cheerleader.

In the other NJTCC Division 3 game, the GREEN KNIGHTS of St. Joseph ended the PATRIOTS of Wayne Hills’ winning streak at 55 games with a 17-15 victory. That, coupled with the CRUSADERS of Bergen Catholic mauling the MAROONS of Ridgewood 40-14, added flames to the raging “public versus parochial” debate. If even Ridgewood and Wayne Hills, two of the premier public high school football programs in North Jersey, can’t win against these parochial powerhouses, what chance do other teams have? The HIGHWAYMEN of Teaneck brought the NJTCC Division 3 record against outside teams to 9-1 (.900) thrashing the RAMS of William L. Dickinson High School of Jersey City 47-8.

This Saturday at 2:30, our CUTTERS play host at SASSO FIELD to those GREEN KNIGHTS of St. Joseph in NJTCC Division 3 action. In 1982 in Northern New Jersey Interscholastic League (NNJIL) action the GREEN KNIGHTS shut Pete Natale’s CUTTERS out 20-0. Our CUTTERS, who have outscored their opposition 101-42 for an average 25-11 victory, are 4-0 (1.000), just as they were last year when the GREEN RAIDERS of Ramapo beat them 31-21. St. Joseph is 3-0 (1.000) and the GREEN KNIGHTS have outscored their opposition 95-59 for an average 32-20 victory. Our “never-say-die” CUTTERS figure to make this a real battle but the powerful GREEN KNIGHTS appear to be too strong. I hope I’m wrong but, from here it looks like St. Joseph 32 Fair Lawn 21. GO CUTTERS GO!!!