THIS WEEK IN FLHS GRIDIRON HISTORY – 2010 Week 8

A WALK DOWN MEMORY LANE
By Dick Engelhardt

1950 - Frank Bennett’s CUTTERS. Were beaten 25-19 by 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).

1960 – Bennett’s CUTTERS continued what would be their 1st winless season being beaten 33-6 by the BULLDOGS of Rutherford in Northern New Jersey Interscholastic League (NNJIL) action. During 1959 – 63 in the NNJIL, our CUTTERS went 3-2 (.600) over the BULLDOGS. Rutherford left for the Bergen County Scholastic League (BCSL) American Division in ’64.

1970 – Frank Devens’ CUTTERS stung the Hornets of Passaic Valley 34-8 in 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.

1980 – Pete Natale’s CUTTERS scalped the INDIANS of Wayne Valley 28-8 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.

1990 – Mike Alberque’s CUTTERS beat the HIGHLANDERS of Northern Highlands 35-14 in Northern Bergen Interscholastic league (NBIL) interdivisional action. Fair Lawn took the 1986-93 and 1998 – 2008 rivalry 10-9 (.526).

2000 – Alberque’s CUTTERS scalped the INDIANS of Pascack Valley 28-0 in NBIL interdivisional action. Pascack Valley took the 1955-56, 1984-85 and 1988-2008 rivalry 14-10-1 (.583).