THIS WEEK IN FLHS GRIDIRON HISTORY – 2010 Week 4

A WALK DOWN MEMORY LANE
By Dick Engelhardt

1950 - Frank Bennett’s CUTTERS were beaten 14-6 by the GOLDEN BEARS of Lyndhurst in Bergen-Passaic Interscholastic League (B-PIL) action. Fair Lawn took the fierce 1945 – 53 rivalry with Lyndhurst 5-4 (.556). The B-PIL became the Northern Bergen Interscholastic League (NBIL) in 1956.

1960 – Bennett’s CUTTERS continued what would be their 1st winless season being shutout 12-0 by the RED RAIDERS of Cliffside Park in Northern New Jersey Interscholastic League (NNJIL) action. Our CUTTERS took the 1959-66 rivalry against the RED RAIDERS 6-2 (.750).

1970 – Frank Devens’ CUTTERS were shut out 12-0 by the HIGHWAYMEN of Teaneck 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 3 action put our CUTTERS up 18-11-1 (.621) in the series.

1980 – Pete Natale’s CUTTERS shutout the COMETS of Hackensack 21-0 in NNJIL action. During 1959-82 in the NNJIL the COMETS went 16-7-1 (.696) over our CUTTERS. In 1959, Fair Lawn’s maiden season in the league, our CUTTERS won 27-6 and yet saw Hackensack take the title by half a game. Frank Bennett’s 1953 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.

1990 – Mike Alberque’s CUTTERS scalped the BRAVES of Indian Hills in NBIL interdivisional action.

2000 – Alberque’s CUTTERS beat the THUNDERBIRDS of Mahwah 21-6 in Northern Bergen Interscholastic League (NBIL) interdivisional action. During 1999-2001 and 2007-2008 our CUTTERS went 4-1 (.800) over the THUNDERBIRDS.

SOUTH WESTERN MUSTANGS GRIDIRON 2010-5

By Bill Engelhardt
________

Last Friday evening, September 24, the Mustangs of South Western visited the YAIAA Division II Warriors of Susquehannock and galloped and passed their way to a 33-7 victory.

The Warriors opened the game and got a first down before ending a 4-play 17-yard drive with a punt. The Mustangs then launched an 81-yard 16 play touchdown drive, featuring an 11-yard pass from Jesse Good to Casey Froehlich, a 10-yard pass to Jeff Hacker, a 9-yard pass to Mike Pugh, a 12-yard run by Mike Felton, and a 10-yard run by Pugh. Felton scored on a 5-yard run and kicked the extra point to put the Mustangs up 7-0 with 2:45 left in the first quarter.

The Warriors got to run off two plays before Ryan Sexton intercepted a Matt Olphin pass for the Mustangs. Connor Senft immediately returned the favor by recovering a Mustangs fumble for the Warriors. They went three and out and punted and Felton returned the punt 20-yards to set the Mustangs up at their own 40-yard line. A seven play drive, aided by two 15-yard penalties, ended with Good’s, 15-yard touchdown strike to Tommy Nicklas. Felton’s extra point upped the score to 14-0 at the 8:41 mark of the second quarter.

The Warriors ended up punting again and the Mustangs marched 65-yards in six plays, featuring a 15-yard pass from Good to Cody Kephart, and ending with Good’s 35-yard touchdown pass to Felton. Felton’s extra point kick put the Mustangs up 21-0 with 3:09 left in the first half.

The Mustangs opened the second half with a 65-yard nine play drive, featuring a 35-yard pass from Good to Froehlich. Jeff Hacker plunged in from the 3-yard line to make the score 27-0 at the 8:11 mark in the 3rd quarter.

The Warriors went three and out, as Ryan Dotson pressured and Matt Funk sacked Matt Olphin for an 8-yard loss, and punted. The Mustangs then drove 61-yards in five plays. Felton sprinted 29-yards for a Mustangs touchdown only to have it called back due to a holding penalty. Not to be deterred, Hacker sprinted 40-yards for a touchdown on the very next play, putting the Mustangs up 33-0 at the 5:01 mark in the 3rd quarter.

The Mustangs substituted liberally but still drove 63-yards, featuring Zach Gross’ 8-yard pass to Pugh, Dillon Langenfeld’s 8-yard run, Matt Stroda’s 8-yard run, and Carnie Fryfogle’s 13-yard run. But the drive ended when Brian Quinn recovered a fumble for the Warriors.

The Warriors then drove 83-yards in twelve plays, featuring a 17-yard pass from Matt Olphin to Justin Onley. Olphin’s 25-yard touchdown pass to James Weger put the Warriors on the scoreboard and Brandon Webster’s extra point kick made the final score 33-7 in favor of the Mustangs with 8:09 left in the game.

Felton kicked off 6 times for 259-yards, with the longest going for 53-yards, and he punted 1 time for 71-yards. Jerome Robinson returned a kickoff for 21-yards and Tommy Nicklas returned a kickoff for 4-yards. Felton fair caught 1 punt and returned 1 punt for 20-yards, and Mike Pugh returned a punt for 1-yard, for the Mustangs.

Jake Shaffer led the Mustangs defense with 6 tackles, followed by Carnie Fryfogle with 5 tackles and a pass hurry, Aaron Bosley and Cody Kephart with 5 tackles each, Jeremy Loughlin, Keith Pappas, and Matt Stroda with 4 tackles each, Matt Funk with 3 tackles and a sack, Ryan Dotson, Jaelen Langenfeld, Mike Pugh, Leonard Sturgis, and Zach Townsend with 3 tackles each, Dakotah Moses with 2 tackles and a pass hurry, Alex Baugher, Dillon Higgins, Mike Felton, Tommy Nicklas, and Rich Delea with 2 tackles each, Ryan Sexton with 1 tackle, an interception and a pass hurry, Chad Kolper with 1 tackle and a sack, and Devon Ackerman, Tyler Burke, Reid Cruz, Jeff Hacker, Daulton James, Jerome Robinson, and Mike Trish with 1 tackle each.

Aaron Bosley, Brady Conroy, Ryan Dotson, Carnie Fryfogle, Matt Funk, Josh Hertz, Jeff Hacker, Cody Kephart, Jeremy Loughlin, Keith Pappas, Ryan Sexton, Jake Shaffer, and Leonard Sturgis, manned the offensive and defensive line and linebacker positions. Mike Felton, Brandon Krise and Mike Pugh, patrolled the secondary, with help from Casey Froehlich, and Jeff Hacker, for the Mustangs.

The Mustangs gained 247-yards rushing and 180-yards passing for a total of 427-yards of offense. Jeff Hacker led the Mustangs rushing attack with 15 carries for 97-yards (including touchdowns of 3 and 40-yards), followed by Mike Pugh with 9 for 41-yards, Mike Felton with 9 for 33 (including a 5-yard touchdown), Nick Bond with 4 for 25, Dillon Langenfeld with 3 for 16, Carnie Fryfogle with 2 for 11, Dakotah Moses with 2 for 10, Matt Stroda with 3 for 9, Jesse Good with 2 for 9-yards, Zach Gross with 1 for no yards, and Reid Cruz with 1 for minus 4-yards. Quarterback Good completed 11 of 14 passes for 163-yards and 2 touchdowns and quarterback Gross completed 2 of 3 passes for 17-yards for the Mustangs. Casey Froehlich caught 2 passes for 46-yards, Cody Kephart caught 3 for 44-yards, Felton caught 3 for 40-yards (including a 35-yard touchdown), Pugh caught 2 for 17-yards, Tommy Nicklas caught 1 for 15-yards and a touchdown, Hacker caught 1 for 9-yards, and Langenfeld caught 1 for 9-yards, for the Mustangs. Felton kicked 3 extra points and Ryan Sexton intercepted a pass for the Mustangs.

The Warriors rang up 43-yards rushing and 117 yards passing for a total of 160 yards gained. Justin Onley led the Warriors rushing attack with 12 carries for 27-yards, followed by Tony Fodel with 5 for 8-yards, Mike Costa with 1 for 8-yards, Brian Quinn with 1 for 2-yards, Phillip Norris with 1 for 1-yard, and Matt Olphin with 5 for minus 3-yards. Quarterback Olphin completed 9 of 21 passes for 117-yards and a touchdown, 2 for 39-yards to James Weger (including a 25-yard touchdown), 3 for 34-yards to Josh Mueller, 2 for 19-yards to Quinn, 1 for 18-yards to Onley, and 1 for 7-yards to Nate Irwin, for the Warriors. Brandon Webster kicked an extra point, and Quinn and Connor Senft each recovered a fumble, for the Warriors.

The 9-time Cavalcade of Bands Champions, Tournament of Bands Group IV Champion and US Scholastic Band Champion South Western Mustangs Marching Band proudly made a pregame presentation of its 2010 field show “Los Sonidas de España.” The show opened with “Grenada,” followed by John Tesh’s “Barcelona,” and “The Toreador Song” from Bizet’s opera Carmen. The show closed with an arrangement of Michael Daugherty’s Candelabra Rumba and the traditional España Cañi. The Susquehannock Warriors Marching Band and the cheerleaders put on a spirited post game show on Homecoming Night. The Mustangs and Warriors Cheer Leading squads excited the faithful with their exuberant cheering.

The Mustangs of South Western are 3-1-0 overall and 0-0-0 in York Adams Interscholastic Athletic Association (YAIAA) Division I league play.

Don Seidenstricker has a 186-80-1 (.699) record as coach of the Mustangs, who have a career record of 327-198-8. The results of the 533 games played in the history of the South Western Mustangs are a career .623 winning percentage and a .629 non-losing percentage.

Next week the Mustangs host the Division II Bulldogs of West York (2-2 overall, 0-0 league) at the Mustang Corral. West York is coming off of a hard fought 21-14 loss to the Wildcats of Dallastown. The Mustangs are looking to gallop along in their winning tradition. GO MUSTANGS GO.

THE GRIDIRON 4 – 2010

By Dick Engelhardt

The CUTTERS of Fair Lawn High, frustrated by being unable to score against Northern Valley/Demarest the previous week, came out firing in their spiffy new Crimson pants against the BULLDOGS of Passaic County Technical Institute last Friday night in Big North Conference (BNC) Division II action. Captains Bryan Turton and the injured Kelvin Rosario won the toss and elected to receive. Speedy Davon Johnson electrified the crowd running the kickoff back 93 yards for a TD and Fair Lawn led 6-0. After a Fair Lawn fumble, the BULLDOGS came back to lead 7-6. Our CUTTERS engineered an 85 yard scoring drive featuring runs by Corey Carlson, James Hegybeli and Steven Tatekawa behind center, Alex Callons, guards Max Jacobs and Matt Paisely and tackles Adam Polisi and Steve Sherlock. QB Kevin Osback dove for the 1 yard TD behind Callons, Jacobs and Paisely. Carlson slithered in for the 2 point conversion and our heroes were out in front 14-7. With 7 seconds left in the half the BULLDOGS tied it up at 14.

After captains, Rosario, Turton and Brendan Walis went out to meet with the PCTI captains, the 2nd half began with a Fair Lawn on-side kick recovered by PCTI and the BULLDOGS scored 2 quick TDs to lead 27-14. A 3rd PCTI TD closed out the scoring as Fair Lawn fell 34-14. The offense featured some fine running and a couple of Osback passes to Carlson. On “D” Junior Roberts was all over the field making stops and a TD saving tackle; Kevin Guy, Polisi, Dan Prigge and Anthony Tozzi made big hits and Turton made a TD saving tackle.

The win puts PCTI at the top of the BNC Division II at 2-0 followed by Fair Lawn and Clifton at 1-1, Eastside and Passaic at 0-1 and JFK at 0-0. In the other BNC Division II game, the FIGHTING MUSTANGS of Clifton High beat the GHOSTS of Paterson Eastside 33-12. The KNIGHTS of JFK of Paterson were stung 19-15 by the HORNETS of Passaic Valley in BNC crossover action bringing the BNC Division II record against outside teams to 2-6 (.250) The INDIANS of Passaic drew a Bye.

At the beginning of the season, following good scrimmages and the 25-6 opening day victory over Passaic, Fair Lawn fans were singing the 1959 Frank Sinatra classic “High Hopes” that won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in the film “A Hole in The Head.” Now our CUTTERS need to get tough to have a decent season. This Friday at 3:30 they take on the COMETS of Hackensack at SASSO FIELD in BNC crossover action. During 1959-82 in the Northern New Jersey Interscholastic League (NNJIL) the COMETS went 16-7-1 (.696) over our CUTTERS. In 1959, Fair Lawn’s maiden season in the league, our CUTTERS won 27-6 and yet saw Hackensack take the title by half a game. 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. Fair Lawn comes into the game 1-2 (.333) and has been outscored 80-39 for an average 27-13 loss. Hackensack is 2-1 (.667) and has outscored the opposition 68-34 for an average 23-11 win. With an all out effort our CUTTERS can take the COMETS. From here it looks like Fair Lawn 20-Hackensack 13. GO CUTTERS GO!!!

THIS WEEK IN FLHS GRIDIRON HISTORY – 2010 Week 3

A WALK DOWN MEMORY LANE
By Dick Engelhardt

1950 - Frank Bennett’s Bergen-Passaic Interscholastic League (B-PIL) CUTTERS were shutout 26-0 by the Passaic Valley Conference (PVC) WILDCATS of East Rutherford, now Becton Dickinson. During 1950-53 the WILDCATS went 2-1-1 (.667) against our CUTTERS.

1960 – Bennett’s CUTTERS continued what would be their 1st winless season being shutout 31-0 by the COMETS of Hackensack in Northern New Jersey Interscholastic League (NNJIL) action. During 1959-82 in the Northern New Jersey Interscholastic League (NNJIL) the COMETS went 16-7-1 (.696) over our CUTTERS. In 1959, Fair Lawn’s maiden season in the league, our CUTTERS won 27-6 and yet saw Hackensack take the title by half a game. Frank Bennett’s 1953 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

1970 – Frank Devens’ CUTTERS were scalped 35-0 by the INDIANS of Wayne Valley in NNJIL action. During 1967-80 the INDIANS went 9-5 (.643) over our CUTTERS in Northern New Jersey Interscholastic League (NNJIL) action. They left the NNJIL 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.

1980 – Pete Natale’s CUTTERS edged the BEARS of Bergenfield 20-12 in NNJIL action. Fair Lawn took the 1945-48 and 1962-2008 rivalry 35-16 (.686) and the 1994-2008 Turkey Day rivalry 11-4 (.733). The teams squared off 1945-48 in the B-PIL, 1962-83 in the NNJIL and 1984-2008 in the NBIL. State realignment has ended the 51 season rivalry.

1990 – Mike Alberque’s CUTTERS were edged 26-21 by those BEARS of Bergenfield in NBIL Division 1 action.

2000 – Alberque’s CUTTERS beat the GOLDEN KNIGHTS of Northern Valley, Old Tappan 34-15 in NBIL Division 1 action. Fair Lawn took the 1984 – 2008 rivalry 15–10 (.600).

SOUTH WESTERN MUSTANGS GRIDIRON 2010-4

By Bill Engelhardt
________

Last Friday evening, September 17, the Mustangs of South Western hosted the Mid-Penn Keystone Division Falcons of Lower Dauphin and galloped to a 26-14 victory. The trio of Jeff Hacker, Mike Felton and Ryan Sexton was unstoppable. Falcons coach Rob Klock said they had prepared for Felton and Sexton and were completely surprised by Hacker, who led the charge with 201-yards rushing for the Mustangs. Jesse Good’s 2 touchdown passes in 4 completions sure kept the Falcons off balance as well.

The Falcons started the game with an 11 play, 72-yard drive that featured runs by the trio if Jordan Kennedy, Marco Palermo and Taylor Paul, and a 21-yard pass from Casey Kulina to Brad Ebersole to the 3-yard line. Palermo scored on a 3-yard run and the Falcons went up 6-0 at 7:01.

The Mustangs countered immediately with a 7 play 56-yard drive. Mike Felton and Ryan Sexton had some nice runs but the drive featured a 17-yard pass from Jesse Good to Felton and a 19-yard touchdown strike to Felton. Felton also kicked the extra point and the Mustangs took a 7-6 lead at the 4:11 mark in the first quarter.

The Falcons came right back with 10 play 71-yard drive. Paul led the drive with 6 carries, ending with his 8-yard touchdown run. Kulina passed to Travis Morrill for the 2-point conversion and the Falcons led 14-7 at the 10:52 mark in the second quarter. There would be a lot of marching up and down the field by both teams for the rest of the game but that would be the end of the scoring for the Falcons. Falcons Ebersole, Palermo and Tim Gamber all left the game with injuries.

The Mustangs drove 71-yards in six plays, featuring Sexton’s neat 45-yard run. Hacker’s 5-yard touchdown run and Felton’s extra point kick tied the score at 14 at the 7:52 mark in the half.

The Falcons drove 58-yards, only to turn the ball over on downs at the Mustangs 12-yard line. Hacker’s nifty 55-yard dash to the Falcons 33-yard line was followed by Good’s 14-yard pass to Felton. A penalty put the ball back to the Falcons 24-yard line and Good lofted a perfect 24-yard touchdown pass to Tommy Nicklas, putting the Mustangs up 20-14 with 36 seconds left in the half.

The Mustangs opened the second half with a 63-yard drive, featuring Hacker’s 40-yard run. Brady Stevenson intercepted a pass for the Falcons to end that drive but the Falcons subsequent drive ended by turning the ball over in downs at the Mustangs 21-yard line.

The Mustangs drove 79-yards in 11 plays. Felton, Hacker and Sexton took turns pounding the ball down the field. Felton’s 9-yard touchdown jaunt closed out the scoring for the Mustangs, putting them up 26-14 with 9 seconds left in the third quarter.

Mike Pugh ended a Falcons drive with an interception and he recovered a Hacker fumble at the end of a 14-yard run to keep a Mustangs drive alive. The Mustangs turned the ball over on downs at the Falcons 11-yard line. The Falcons went three and out and punted and the Mustangs ran out the clock to end the game.

Felton kicked off 4 times for 185-yards, with the longest going for 49-yards, and the Mustangs never punted. Felton returned 2 kickoffs for 36-yards, with the longest going for 19, yards, and Tommy Nicklas returned 1 kickoff for 14-yards for the Mustangs.

Jake Shaffer, who had 15 tackles and a pass hurry, led the Mustangs defense, followed by Mike Felton with 10 tackles and 3 pass defenses, Matt Funk and Ryan Sexton with 10 tackles each, Cody Kephart with 9 tackles, Aaron Bosley and Leonard Sturgis with 8 tackles each, Keith Pappas with 7 tackles, Mike Pugh with 3 tackles and an interception, Carnie Fryfogle and Chad Kolper with 3 tackles each, Jeff Hacker with 2 tackles and a pass defense, Brady Conroy and Brandon Krise with 2 tackles each, and Rich Delea and Dakotah Moses with 1 tackle each.

Aaron Bosley, Brady Conroy, Carnie Fryfogle, Matt Funk, Josh Hertz, Jeff Hacker, Cody Kephart, Keith Pappas, Ryan Sexton, Jake Shaffer, and Leonard Sturgis, manned the offensive and defensive line and linebacker positions. Marty Deal, Mike Felton, and Mike Pugh, patrolled the secondary, with help from Casey Froehlich, and the versatile Jeff Hacker who contributed in the secondary in addition to his duties at linebacker, for the Mustangs.

The Mustangs gained 391-yards rushing and 78-yards passing for a total of 469-yards of offense. Hacker led the Mustangs rushing attack with 17 carries for 201-yards (including a 5-yard touchdown), followed by Felton with 14 for 116-yards (including a 7-yard touchdown, Sexton with 7 for 68-yards, Mike Pugh with 2 for 8-yards, and Jesse Good with minus 2-yards. Quarterback Good completed 4 of 7 passes for 74-yards and 2 touchdowns, 3 for 54-yards to Felton (including a 19-yard touchdown), and 1 for 24-yards and a touchdown to Tommy Nicklas, for the Mustangs. Felton kicked 2 extra points for the Mustangs. Pugh recovered a Mustangs fumble to retain possession for the Mustangs and he intercepted a pass for the Mustangs.

The Lower Dauphin Falcons rang up 281-yards rushing and 54 yards passing for a total of 335 yards gained. Taylor Paul led the Falcons rushing attack with 20 carries for 131-yards (including an 8-yard touchdown), followed by Jordan Kennedy with 13 for 93-yards, Marco Palermo with 8 for 43-yards (including a 3-yard touchdown), and Russ Hammaker with 1 for 14-yards. Quarterback Casey Kulina completed 5 of 18 passes for 54-yards, 1 for 21-yards to Brad Ebersole, 1 for 13-yards to Quincy Nissley, 1 for 10-yards to Palermo, 1 for 8-yards to Hammaker, and 1 for 2-yards to Travis Morrill, for the Falcons. Kulina threw a 2-point conversion pass to Morrill for the Falcons. Falcons Ebersole, Palermo and Tim Gamber all left the game with injuries.

The 9-time Cavalcade of Bands Champions, Tournament of Bands Group IV Champion and US Scholastic Band Champion South Western Mustangs Marching Band proudly made a pregame presentation of its 2010 field show “Los Sonidas de España.” The show opened with “Grenada,” followed by John Tesh’s “Barcelona,” and “The Toreador Song” from Bizet’s opera Carmen. The show closed with an arrangement of Michael Daugherty’s Candelabra Rumba and the traditional España Cañi. The Lower Dauphin Falcons Marching Band out on a spirited half-time show. The 23 gals and 1 guy Mustangs Cheer Leading squad and the Falcons cheerleading squad roused the faithful with their exuberant cheering.

The Mustangs of South Western are 2-1-0 overall and 0-0-0 in York Adams Interscholastic Athletic Association (YAIAA) Division I league play.

Don Seidenstricker has a 185-80-1 (.698) record as coach of the Mustangs, who have a career record of 326-198-8. The results of the 532 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 visit the Division II Warriors of Susquehannock (1-2 overall, 0-0 league). Susquehannock is coming off of a 49-19 loss to the Panthers of Central Dauphin East. The Mustangs are looking to gallop along in their winning tradition. GO MUSTANGS GO.

THE GRIDIRON 3 – 2010

By Dick Engelhardt

In Fair Lawn’s 25-6 opening game victory over the INDIANS of Passaic, it was actually Danny Granja who kicked the extra point with Alex Callons snapping and Brendan Walis holding that put our CUTTERS ahead to stay 7-6. Alas, Danny would get no such opportunity last Thursday night in Demarest as the NORSEMEN of Northern Valley shocked our CUTTERS 40-0 in Big North Conference (BNC) crossover action. Ranked #4 in the WGHT Radio (1500AM) top 10 listening area team listings, our CUTTERS were heavy favorites. Captains Kelvin Rosario and Bryan Turton went out for the coin toss and the NORSEMEN won and chose to receive. They scored quickly and led 6-0. Fair Lawn fumbled the ball back to the NORSEMEN and, before they knew what hit them, our CUTTERS trailed 14-0. Steven Tatekawa electrified the crowd running the kickoff back to the NV 43. With bull like runs by Anthony Tozzi our heroes moved the ball but gave it up on downs at the NV 16. Another Fair Lawn drive of over 75 yards ended at the 5. The NORSEMEN drove the nail into the coffin going 95 yards to lead 20-0. QB Kevin Osback threw a picture pass to Turton for 25 yards and to Tatekawa for a 1st down. A TD run by Tozzi was nullified by a penalty.

Our heroes came out fired up for the 2nd half. With Rosario injured, captains Turton and Walis elected to receive. Tatekawa returned the kickoff to the 35 but our CUTTERS went 3 and out. James Hegybeli picked up yardage and Davon Johnson rambled to the 30 but the vaunted Fair Lawn offense managed to get only to the NV 16. The NORSEMEN scored 3 more times with Turton blocking an extra point kick. He and George Alexandres made TD saving tackles, and Franklin Ramirez made a nice stop. The shocking and unexpected loss brought Fair Lawn’s record in the 1956-58 and 1990-2008 Northern Bergen Interscholastic League (NBIL) and 2010 independent rivalry to 13-10 (.565).

The schedule had 5 of Fair Lawn’s BNC Division II teams playing teams outside of the Division and 1 playing outside the league. In BNC crossover action, The FIGHTING MUSTANGS of Clifton High ambushed the HIGHWAYMEN of Teaneck 34-6 for the only BNC Division II win. In addition to Fair Lawn’s loss, the BULLDOGS of Passaic County Tech were shutout 16-0 by the INDIANS of Wayne Valley, the GHOSTS of Paterson Eastside were walloped 62-0 by the PATRIOTS of Wayne Hills and the KNIGHTS of JFK of Paterson were beaten 40-0 by the COMETS of Hackensack. The INDIANS of Passaic were edged 10-8 by Super Essex Conference (SEC) LANCERS of Livingston. The 1-5 (.167) weekend brought the BNC Division II record against outside teams to 2-5 (.286).

Our CUTTERS travel to Wayne Friday Night to take on the BULLDOGS of Passaic County Tech for the first time ever. PCT comes into the game 1-1 (.500) having been outscored 15-16 for an average 8-8 tie. Our CUTTERS come into the game 1-1 (.500) having been outscored 46-25 for an average 23-13 loss. Looking to keep their playoff hopes alive and to stay in the BNC Division II race, I know our CUTTERS will go all out in this one. From here it looks like Fair Lawn 21-Passaic County Tech 15. GO CUTTERS GO!!!

THIS WEEK IN FLHS GRIDIRON HISTORY – 2010 Week 2

A WALK DOWN MEMORY LANE
By Dick Engelhardt

1950 - Frank Bennett’s – Frank Bennett’s CUTTERS beat the BEARS of Hawthorne 27-20 in Bergen-Passaic Interscholastic League (B-PIL) action. Independently in 1944 and in the B-PIL 1945-55, our CUTTERS went 9-3 (.750) over the BEARS. When Hawthorne, then the only Passaic County school in the league, left in ’56, the league was renamed the Northern Bergen Interscholastic League (NBIL).

1960 – Bennett’s CUTTERS continued what would be their 1st winless season being ambushed 34-6 by the HIGHWAYMEN of Teaneck in Northern New Jersey Interscholastic League (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 3 action put our CUTTERS up 18-11-1 (.621) in the series.

1970 – Frank Devens’ CUTTERS went outside their NNJIL and were beaten 34-14 by the HILLTOPPERS of Summit and the Suburban Conference (SC). During 1967–70 the HILLTOPPERS went 3-1 (.750) over our CUTTERS. Fair Lawn won only the ’67 series opener.

1980 – Pete Natale’s CUTTERS shutout the SPARTANS of Paramus 33-0 in 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. The rivalry is renewed as the teams square off October 22nd in Big North Conference (BNC) Crossover action.

1990 – Mike Alberque’s CUTTERS were scalped 22-9 by the INDIANS of Pascack Valley in NBIL interdivisional action. Pascack Valley leads the 1955-56, 1984-85 and 1988-2008 rivalry 14-10-1 (.583) and has won the last 5 games. State mandated realignment has ended it, at least for now.

2000 – Alberque’s CUTTERS were shutout 13-0 by the GREEN RAIDERS of Ramapo in NBIL Division 1 action. Ramapo leads the 1956-58 and 1984-2008 series 17-11 (.607). Realignment has ended this rivalry too.

SOUTH WESTERN MUSTANGS GRIDIRON 2010-3

By Bill Engelhardt
________

Last Thursday evening, September 9, the Mustangs of South Western visited the Mid-Penn Keystone Division Colts of Cedar Cliff at West Shore Stadium and were defeated 37-14. The quarterback duo of Tim Kelly and Tyler Orris for the Colts was virtually unstoppable. They alternated series without missing a beat and both of them put on a display of precision passing.

The Colts drove 77-yards in 11 plays, featuring Kelly’s 5 completions for 46-yards. Kelly topped off the drive with a 13-yard touchdown run. His extra point kick put the Colts up 7-0 at 7:28 in the first quarter.

Mike Felton returned the kickoff 41-yards to the 47-yard line for the Mustangs. They drove to the Colts 21-yard line in 9 plays, featuring a 15-yard run by Felton and some nice runs by Jeff Hacker, only to give up the ball when Joel Chapman intercepted a Jesse Good pass for the Colts.

The Colts drove 72-yards in 8 plays, ending with Orris throwing a 19-yard touchdown pass to Nol Aru. Kelly kicked the extra point and the Colts went up 14-0 at 11:50 in the second quarter.

The Mustangs went three and out, gaining 14-yards but losing 10-yards on two penalties, and punted. The Colts then drove 60-yards in 6 plays, featuring a 33-yard pass from Kelly to Ryan Smith, and ending with a 15-yard touchdown pass to Aru. Kelly’s extra point kick upped the score to 21-0 at 7:59 in the second quarter.

After an exchange of punts, the Mustangs came alive and started on the Colts 36-yard line after a 26-yard punt return by Felton. Six plays later Jeff Hacker sprinted 11-yards for a touchdown and Felton kicked the extra point, for a score of 21-7 with 1:24 left in the half.

The Mustangs opened the second half with a three and out but Ryan Sexton recovered the punt after it hit a Colts player. Joel Chapman soon returned the favor by recovering a Mustangs fumble at the Colts 23-yard line. With Orris at the helm, the Colts drove 77-yards in 10 plays to the Mustangs 28-yard line. Kelly kicked a 39-yard field goal to put the Colts ahead 24-7 with 3:13 left in the third quarter.

With Kelly at the helm, the Colts drove 52-yards in six plays, ending in Kelly’s 13-yard touchdown pass to Smith. The extra point kick was no good and the score went to 30-7 with 11:13 left in the game.

The Mustangs then drove 71-yards in two plays, a 22-yard run by quarterback Jesse Good and a 49-yard touchdown jaunt by Felton. Felton’s extra point kick put the score at 30-14 with 10:25 left in the game.

With Orris at the helm, the Colts drove 56-yards in 10 plays, ending with a 3-yard touchdown plunge by Xavier Baney. Matt Funk recorded a sack for a 6-yard loss, for the Mustangs, but that didn’t stop the drive. Kelly’s extra point kick closed out the scoring at 37-14 with 5:13 left in the game.

Felton kicked off 4 times for 205-yards, with the longest going for 59-yards, and punted 3 times for 79-yards (for an average of 26.33-yards), with the longest going for 37-yards. Jeff Hacker punted 2 times for 81-yards, with the longest going for 48-yards, for the Mustangs. Felton returned 6 kickoffs for 143-yards, with the longest going for 41, yards, and 1 punt for 26-yards for the Mustangs.

Mike Felton, who had 15 tackles and 3 pass defenses for the night, led the Mustangs defense, followed by Jake Shaffer with 11 tackles, 2 pass hurries and 2 pass defenses, Ryan Sexton with 10 tackles and a fumble recovery, Cody Kephart with 10 tackles, a pass hurry and a pass defense, Matt Funk with 9 tackles and a sack, Keith Pappas with 9 tackles, Carnie Fryfogle with 6 tackles and a pass hurry, Aaron Bosley, Mike Pugh and Leonard Sturgis with 5 tackles each, Brandon Krise with 4 tackles and a pass defense, Brady Conroy, Casey Froehlich, and Jeff Hacker with 3 tackles each, and Marty Deal and Rich Delea with 1 tackle each.

Aaron Bosley, Brady Conroy, Carnie Fryfogle, Matt Funk, Josh Hertz, Jeff Hacker, Cody Kephart, Keith Pappas, Ryan Sexton, Jake Shaffer, and Leonard Sturgis, manned the offensive and defensive line and linebacker positions. Marty Deal, Mike Felton, and Mike Pugh, patrolled the secondary, with help from Casey Froehlich, for the Mustangs.

The Mustangs gained 218-yards rushing and 10-yards passing for a total of 228-yards of offense. Quarterback Jesse Good completed 1 of 9 passes to Mike Felton for the 10-yards. Mike Felton led the Mustangs rushing attack with his 10 carries for 96-yards (including a 49-yard touchdown), followed by Jeff Hacker with 11 carries for 60-yards, Ryan Sexton with 7 carries for 29-yards, Jesse Good with 3 carries for 28-yards, and Mike Pugh with 3 carries for 5-yards. Felton kicked 2 extra points and Sexton recovered a fumble for the Mustangs.

The Cedar Cliff Colts rang up 183-yards rushing and 270 yards passing for a total of 453 yards gained. Tim Kelly completed 11 of 17 passes for 147-yards and 2 touchdowns and Tyler Orris completed 13 of 17 passes for 123-yards and a touchdown. Ryan Smith caught 7 passes for 102-yards (including a 13-yard touchdown from Kelly), Adam Breneman caught 7 passes for 65-yards, Nol Aru caught 4 passes for 50-yards (including a 19-yard touchdown from Orris and a 15-yard touchdown from Kelly), William Hopkins caught 3 passes for 34-yards, and Josh Lobo caught 2 passes for 13-yards, for the Colts. Xavier Baney led the Colts rushing attack with 12 carries for 74-yards (including a 3-yard touchdown), followed by Kelly with 8 carries for 79-yards (including a 13-yard touchdown), Joel Chapman with 3 carries for 17-yards, and Orris with 4 carries for 13-yards. Kelly also kicked a 37-yard field goal and 4 extra points for the Colts.

The 9-time Cavalcade of Bands Champions, Tournament of Bands Group IV Champion and US Scholastic Band Champion South Western Mustangs Marching Band proudly made a pregame presentation of its 2010 field show “Los Sonidas de España.” The show opened with “Grenada,” followed by John Tesh’s “Barcelona,” and “The Toreador Song” from Bizet’s opera Carmen. The show closed with an arrangement of Michael Daugherty’s Candelabra Rhumba and the traditional España Cañi. The Cedar Cliff Colts Marching Band out on a spirited half-time show. The 25 gals and 1 guy Mustangs Cheer Leading squad and the 21 member Colts cheerleading squad really kept the crowd in a spirited mood as they roused the faithful.

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

Don Seidenstricker has a 184-80-1 (.697) record as coach of the Mustangs, who have a career record of 325-198-8. The results of the 531 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 host the Falcons of Lower Dauphin (0-2 overall, 0-0 Mid-Penn Keystone Division). Lower Dauphin is coming off of a 27-6 loss to the Thundering Herd of Carlisle. The Mustangs are looking to return to their winning tradition. GO MUSTANGS GO.

THE GRIDIRON 2-2010

By Dick Engelhardt

The CUTTERS of Fair Lawn High opened the 2010 season in the brand new Big North Conference (BNC) Division II with an impressive 25-6 victory over the INDIANS of Passaic last Saturday at SASSO FIELD. Team Captains James Choe, Kelvin Rosario and Bryan Turton went out for the coin toss, which Passaic won and elected to receive. It was to be the only thing the INDIANS won all day! Passaic scored first and led 6-0 as Steven Tatekawa thwarted the 2 point conversion attempt. Sensational running back James Hegybeli scampered 64 yards for a TD and with Alex Callons snapping and Brendan Walis holding, Kevin Osback kicked the extra point to put our CUTTERS ahead 7-6 and they never looked back. After a bad snap on a Passaic punt attempt, Rosario ran for a TD and Fair Lawn led 13-6. Davon Johnson intercepted a pass at the Fair Lawn 9 yard line. After a 4th down try failed and Fair Lawn turned the ball over, Turton intercepted a pass. Anthony Tozzi ran like a raging bull all day and converted on another 4th down Fair Lawn run. Our heroes took the 13-6 lead into halftime.

Behind center, Callons, guards Max Jacobs and Matt Paisely and tackles Adam Polisi and Steve Sherlock, Hegybeli, Rosario and Tozzi continued to pick up yardage. The speedy Rosario raced for another TD and Fair Lawn led 19-6. Tozzi made an amazing run through wood-be tacklers to the 2 and Hegybeli ran for the TD to close out the scoring. The “D” was fantastic all day as Kevin Benjamin, Kevin Guy, Johnson, Matt Peligritto, Polisi, Rosario and Walis made big plays. Junior Roberts made a great stop on a 4th down run!

The atmosphere was made even more pleasant by the performance of the award winning Fair Lawn High School Marching Band and Color Guard under the direction of Paul A. Kafer. And how about Fair Lawn’s own version of “Football’s Fabulous Females,” the fantastic FLHS cheerleaders and their coach, Lauren Gimon? Lauren was proud as a peacock as one of her original squad members, Christie Artinger, made the New York JETS Flight Crew cheerleading squad for the second year in a row. Way to go Christie!

In the other BNC Division II game, the BULLDOGS of Passaic Tech shut out the FIGHTING MUSTANGS of Clifton High 15-0. The KNIGHTS of JFK of Paterson won the first BNC Division II crossover game beating the Division IV HIGHLANDERS of West Milford 28-13. The GHOSTS of Paterson Eastside had a Bye. History will record that, after the first week of play in the new league, Fair Lawn and Passaic Tech were on top and Clifton and Passaic were on the bottom with Eastside and Kennedy yet to play a league game!

Thursday night at 7:00 our CUTTERS travel to Demarest to take on the NORSEMEN of Northern Valley. Our CUTTERS faced the NORSEMEN in the old Northern Bergen Interscholastic League (NBIL) 1956-58 before moving up to the Northern New Jersey Interscholastic League (NNJIL) for 25 seasons 1959-83. In 1984, Fair Lawn, Bergenfield and Ramsey all returned to their old NBIL but our CUTTERS did not face NV/Demarest in interdivisional play until 1990. Fair Lawn took the 1956-58 and 1990- 2008 NBIL rivalry 13-9 (.591). While our CUTTERS were beating Passaic, the NORSEMEN were beaten 38-13 by the LANCERS of Lakeland in BNC Division V action. Our CUTTERS are powerful and figure to take the NORSEMEN. From here it looks like Fair Lawn 35-NV/Demarest 7. GO CUTTERS GO!!!

THE GRIDIRON 1–2010

By Dick Engelhardt

It’s great to be back on The GRIDIRON again as The CUTTERS of Fair Lawn High begin their 68th season with a record of 311-283-14 (.524) It all started September 13th, 1943 when FLHS opened without seniors, who stayed at Paterson Eastside, Hawthorne and Ridgewood to graduate in 1944. Coach Marty Fischbein led the CUTTERS to a fine 9-4-2 (.692) record in independent action in 1943 and 44 after starting up with 3 JV games. Some called the new team the COMETS because they scored quickly in that 1st JV game, a 7-6 loss to Lodi, and others called them the CLIPPERS. It’s been said that some team members would leave school early to visit Doc Gurney, after whom Gurney Terrace is named, for taping and disappear for a time forcing Coach Fischbein to wait for the arrival of these "cutters" before he could run a full practice. And then, before the Leonia game, team captain Jack Van Olden led Tony DiNegri, Art Jaeggi, Jack Knowles, Al Livingstone and Bill Perkins on a sneak trip to the Rivoli Theater in Paterson to see a movie during school hours. The miscreants were caught and coach Fischbein kept those “cutters” out of the game. With the Lions up 12-0 he put our heroes in and Fair Lawn roared back to win 13-12. Livingstone took a pass from Van Olden and ran it 43 yards for a TD. In the 4th quarter, he ran 20 yards for a TD and plunged for the extra point winning the game. The student body, having chosen Crimson and Gray as the school colors, said “The CUTTERS won the game!” They insisted that the athletic teams be known as “The CUTTERS of Fair Lawn High.” And so it is 68 seasons later! The “original” 1943 CUTTERS were inducted into the FLHS Athletic Hall of Fame last year along with this writer and others. Van Olden had been inducted individually in 2007.

Our heroes have given us plenty to cheer about over the years. In 1945 legendary coach Frank Bennett, a member of the FLHS Athletic Hall of Fame, after whom the gymnasium is named, came to Fair Lawn as our CUTTERS ended their independent status and joined the Bergen-Passaic Interscholastic League (B-PIL), which had been formed in 1943 by Bergenfield, Bogota, Hawthorne, Lyndhurst and Ramsey. Bennett’s Cutters won B-PIL titles in 1945, 1946 (with the BUCCANEERS of Bogota), 1947 (with the GOLDEN BEARS of Lyndhurst), 1953 and 1955. The B-PIL became the Northern Bergen Interscholastic League (NBIL) in ’56. Fair Lawn moved up to the Northern New Jersey Interscholastic League (NNJIL) in 1959 and Frank Devens’ CUTTERS won NNJIL titles in 1965 and 1966 when they finished off a 24 game non-losing streak that was started in the 3rd game of the 1964 season by Ed Sheehy’s CUTTERS. Devens passed away January 11, 2010. Pete Natale’s CUTTERS shared the 1980 NNJIL title with the FIGHTING MUSTANGS of Clifton High and the HORNETS of Passaic Valley. Our CUTTERS moved back to the NBIL in 1984 and Natale’s teams won the NBIL Division 1 title in 1984, 1985 and 1987. Mike Alberque’s CUTTERS were NBIL Division 1 champs in 1989. The playoffs began in 1974 and Natale’s CUTTERS were in them in 1979, 1980, 1985 and 1987. Alberque’s CUTTERS were in the playoffs in 1988, 1989 and 2000. Last year Stan Myles’ CUTTERS edged the INDIANS of Passaic 39-38 in the 1st round of the North Jersey, Section 1, Group IV playoffs and lost 42-7 to the GAELS of Roxbury in the next round.

This Saturday at SASSO FIELD, our CUTTERS open the season against the INDIANS of Passaic in Big North Conference (BNC) Division II action. The teams have a history, all in playoffs, with every game a barn burner! In 1980 Natale’s CUTTERS faced Passaic in round 1 in a home game. “Home” was GIANTS STADIUM! In the most thrilling football game in FLHS history until then, our heroes trailed 7-0, 12-0, 12-7 and 18-7 and roared back to scalp the INDIANS 27-18. Natale’s 1985 CUTTERS travelled to Passaic School Stadium, jokingly referred to as Passaic’s “One River Stadium” by the announcer, in the States. Trailing only 28-26 in the closing minutes, our CUTTERS lost a 36-26 thriller. Then last year in the States, Fair Lawn led 32-6 at the half and held on for dear life in the 39-38 win that replaced the 1980 game as the most exciting in FLHS history. Although Fair Lawn leads the rivalry 2-1 (667), the scores average out to a 31-31 tie! From here it looks like Fair Lawn 35 – Passaic 21. GO CUTTERS GO!!!

THIS WEEK IN FLHS GRIDIRON HISTORY – 2010 Week 1

A WALK DOWN MEMORY LANE
By Dick Engelhardt

1950 - Frank Bennett’s Bergen-Passaic Interscholastic League (B-PIL) CUTTERS were beaten 20-0 by the Passaic Valley Conference (PVC) GHOSTS of Paterson Eastside in independent action. During 1947-54 and 1983 Fair Lawn went 5-4 (.556) over the GHOSTS. This was sweetened by the fact that, until FLHS opened in 1943, most Fair Lawn students attended Eastside. A few students from the Columbia Heights section went to Hawthorne and the Radburn section students went to Ridgewood. The 4-4 (.500) deadlock was broken by the 20-18 Fair Lawn victory in 1983.

1960 – Bennett’s CUTTERS began what would be their 1st winless season being shutout 39-0 by the TIGERS of Dover in independent action. They would even the series at 1-1 (.500) in 1961 as Ed Sheehy’s CUTTERS mauled the TIGERS 20-0.

1970 – Frank Devens’ CUTTERS were edged 12-8 by 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.

1980 – Pete Natale’s CUTTERS shut the HIGHWAYMEN of Teaneck out 12-0 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 3 action put our CUTTERS up 18-11-1 (.621) in the series.

1990 – Mike Alberque’s CUTTERS were edged 18-12 by the NORSEMEN of Northern Valley, Demarest in NBIL Division 1 action. Fair Lawn leads the 1956-58 and 1990- 2008 rivalry 13-9 (.591). State mandated realignment has ended it, at least for now.

2000 – Alberque’s CUTTERS beat the HIGHLANDERS of Northern Highlands 35-15 in NBIL interdivisional action. Fair Lawn leads the 1986-93 and 1998 – 2008 rivalry 10-9 (.526). Realignment has ended this rivalry too.

SOUTH WESTERN MUSTANGS GRIDIRON 2010-2

By Bill Engelhardt
________

Last Friday evening, September 3, the Mustangs of South Western hosted the Warriors of Gettysburg at the Mustang Corral and galloped and passed to a resounding 40-7 victory. Mustangs running back Mike Felton kept the offense moving with 78-yards rushing on 8 carries. He scored 4 rushing touchdowns and kicked 2 extra points, accounting for 26 of the 40 points for the Mustangs. Jesse Good and Zach Gross combined for 120-yards passing on 8 completions to round out the balanced offense.

The Mustangs opened the game with a 46-yard drive, featuring a 39-yard pass from Good to Tommy Nicklas. The Mustangs turned the ball over on downs with an incomplete pass at the Warriors 21-yard line.

The Warriors were only able to gain 16-yards in 5 plays and punted. The Mustangs returned the favor, punting after six play 19-yard drive. The Warriors started at their 7-yard line and ended a four play 13-yard drive that lost a yard by punting.

This time the Mustangs started at the Warriors 34-yard line after a nifty 17-yard punt return by Mike Pugh. Ryan Sexton ran to the 28, Jeff Hacker gained 19-yards to the 9-yard line, Sexton got to the 8 and Mike Felton galloped into the end zone to put the Mustangs up 6-0 with 37 seconds left in the first quarter.

The Warriors went 3 and out and the Mustangs launched a 2 play 62-yard drive. A 28-yrd pass from Good to Sexton was followed by a 34-yard touchdown sprint by Mike Felton. Tommy Nicklas then ran it in for a 2-point conversion and the Mustangs were up 14-0 at the 10:35 mark in the second quarter.

The Warriors then launched a two play 77-yard drive. D. J. Johnson gained 4-yards to the 27-yard line and Zach Hill raced 73-yards for a touchdown. Drew Myers extra point kick narrowed the score to 14-7 at the 10:04 mark in the second quarter. That was all the scoring the Warriors would muster.

Leonard Sturgis recovered a Warriors fumble and the Mustangs took over on the Warriors 33-yard line. Jeff Hacker ran to the 25-yard line and Felton sprinted in for a 25-yard touchdown. Felton kicked the extra point and the score went to 21-7 with 6:33 left in the half.

Another Warriors drive ended when Jake Shaffer recovered a fumble. The first half ended with the Mustangs in control of the score and the ball.

The Warriors opened the second half with a drive that ended on the first play when Carnie Fryfogle intercepted a pass. The Mustangs drove 34-yards in 5 plays, ending with Felton’s 11-yard touchdown run. His extra point kicked upped the score to 28-7 at the 10:17 mark in the third quarter.

The Warriors punted on their next drive and the Mustangs drove 43-yards in 7 plays, featuring an 8-yard pass from Good to Cody Kephart and a 13-yard pass to Mike Pugh, and ending with a 15-yard touchdown run by Pugh. That put the Mustangs up 34-7 with 4:32 left in the third quarter.

The Mustangs substituted liberally in the fourth quarter and tacked on another score. The Mustangs drive 80-yards in 13 plays, starting in the third quarter and ending at the 7:07 mark in the fourth quarter with a 6-yard touchdown run by Matt Stroda. That made the final score 40-7 in favor of the Mustangs.

Jaelen Langenfeld intercepted a Warriors pass and returned it 44-yards to the Warriors 40-yard line, and Dakotah Moses recovered a fumble for the Mustangs. Jesse Moe and Nick Miller returned the favor by recovering Mustangs fumbles for the Warriors.

Felton kicked off 5 times for 216-yards, with the longest going for 53-yards, and punted 3 times for 117-yards (for an average of 39-yards), with the longest going for 42-yards. Reid Cruz kicked off 2 times for 75-yards, with the longest going for 38-yards, for the Mustangs. Felton returned a kickoff for 30-yards and Pugh returned 3 punts for 24-yards, with the longest going for 17-yards, for the Mustangs.

Carnie Fryfogle, who had 9 tackles, an interception and a sack for the night, led the Mustangs defense; followed by Leonard Sturgis with 6 tackles, a fumble recovery and a pass defense, Jake Shaffer with 6 tackles and 2 quarterback hurries, Mike Felton and Ryan Sexton with 6 tackles each, Aaron Bosley with 4 tackles, a sack and a pass hurry, Keith Pappas with 4 tackles and a sack, Matt Funk and Chad Kolper with 4 tackles each, Dakotah Moses with 3 tackles and a fumble recovery, Dillon Higgins with 3 tackles, a sack and a quarterback hurry, Brady Conroy, Marty Deal, and Josh Hertz with 3 tackles each, Devon Ackerman, Jeff Hacker, Cody Kephart, Dillon Langenfeld, Tommy Nicklas, Matt Stroda and Zach Townsend with 2 tackles each, Mike Pugh with 1 tackle and a pass defense, and Rich Delea, Casey Froehlich, Brandon Krise, Mike Mooradian, and Mike Trish with 1 tackle each. Jaelen Langenfeld’s 44-yard return of an interception also loomed big in the defensive picture.

Aaron Bosley, Brady Conroy, Carnie Fryfogle, Matt Funk, Josh Hertz, Jeff Hacker, Cody Kephart, Keith Pappas, Ryan Sexton, Jake Shaffer, Woody Stetter, and Leonard Sturgis, manned the offensive and defensive line and linebacker positions, with help from Ryan Dotson and Dillon Higgins. Marty Deal, Mike Felton, and Mike Pugh, patrolled the secondary, with help from Casey Froehlich, and late in the game Jaelen and Dillon Langenfeld, for the Mustangs.

The Mustangs gained 297-yards rushing and 120-yards passing for a total of 417-yards of offense. Quarterback Jesse Good completed 6 of 10 passes for 97-yards, and Zach Gross completed 2 of 2 passes for 23-yards. Tommy Nicklas caught 2 passes for 45-yards, Ryan Sexton caught 2 for 33-yards, Mike Pugh caught 1 for 13-yards, Brandon Krise caught 1 for 11-yards, Dillon Langenfeld caught 1 for 10-yards, and Cody Kephart caught 1 for 8-yards for the Mustangs. Mike Felton led the Mustangs rushing attack with his 8 carries for 78-yards (including 4 touchdowns for 8, 34, 26 and 14-yards), followed by Jeff Hacker with 14 for 76-yards, Pugh with 5 for 43-yards (including a 15-yard touchdown), Reid Cruz with 5 for 37-yards, Sexton with 6 for 33-yards, Matt Stroda with 5 for 24-yards (including a 6-yard touchdown), Dillon Langenfeld with 2 for 12-yards, Marty Deal with 1 carry for 2-yards, Carnie Fryfogle with 1 for 2-yards, Jesse Good with 1 for no yards, and Jake Hunt with 1 for minus 10-yards, for the Mustangs.

The Gettysburg Warriors rang up 147-yards rushing and 49-yards passing for a total of 196-yards gained. Junior quarterback Chase Whiteman completed 5 of 10 passes for the 49-yards, 2 for 27-yards to Benttion Hendricks, 2 for 22-yards to Bill Ballesteros, and 1 for no yards to Austin Re for the Warriors. Zach Hill led the Warriors rushing attack with 8 carries for 113-yards (including a 73-yard touchdown), followed by D. J. Johnson with 6 for 40-yards, Kurt Hoffman with 3 for 7-yards, Austin Re with 3 for 5-yards, Jordan Nye with 1 carry for 5-yards, Carson Merine with 1 for minus 4-yards, Drew Myers with 2 carries for minus 5-yards, and Whiteman with 7 carries for minus 14-yards, for the Warriors.

The Mustangs are hoping to contend for the Division I championship in the YAIAA this year.

The 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 and the Gettysburg Warriors Marching Band put on a rousing half time performance. The 25 gals and 1 guy making up the Mustangs Cheer Leading squad were very impressive as they roused the faithful.

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

Don Seidenstricker has a 184-79-1 (.700) record as coach of the Mustangs, who have a career record of 325-197-8. The results of the 530 games played in the history of the South Western Mustangs are a career .623 winning percentage and a .628 non-losing percentage.

Next week the Mustangs visit the Colts of Cedar Cliff. Cedar Cliff opened the season with a 28-14 win over the Bears of Elizabethtown. The Mustangs played great offense and great defense in their season opener. They are looking to continue in their winning tradition and make this a season to remember. GO MUSTANGS GO.