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.