THIS WEEK IN FLHS GRIDIRON HISTORY – 2010 Week 5

A WALK DOWN MEMORY LANE
By Dick Engelhardt

1950 - Frank Bennett’s CUTTERS were beaten 26-13 by the RAMS of Ramsey in Bergen-Passaic Interscholastic League (B-PIL) action. Fair Lawn took the 1945-58, 1984-99 and 2002-06 rivalry by an astounding 28 games to 7 (.800)!

1960 – Bennett’s CUTTERS continued what would be their 1st winless season being beaten 19-6 by the KNIGHTS of Morris Hills in independent action. The teams split the 1959-60 rivalry 1-1 (.500).

1970 – Frank Devens’ CUTTERS edged the SPARTANS of Paramus 9-7 in Northern New Jersey Interscholastic League (NNJIL) action. During 1962-83, 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.

1980 – Pete Natale’s CUTTERS stung the HORNETS of Passaic Valley 7-6 in NNJIL action. The HORNETS would win 20-0 in the North Jersey, Section I, Group IV final at GIANTS STADIUM. 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.

1990 – Mike Alberque’s CUTTERS shutout the RAMS of Ramsey 13-0 in NBIL interdivisional action. Fair Lawn took the 1945-58, 1984-99 and 2002-06 rivalry by an astounding 28 games to 7 (.800) in Bergen-Passaic Interscholastic League (BPIL) and Northern Bergen Interscholastic League (NBIL) action!

2000 – Alberque’s CUTTERS beat the NORSEMEN of Northern Valley/Demarest 43-0 in NBIL interdivisional action. The shocking 40-0 NV victory in Big North Conference (BNC) crossover action in 2010 brought the 1956-58 and 1990- 2008 and 2010 rivalry to 13-10 (.565) Fair Lawn.