THE GRIDIRON 4-2012

By Dick Engelhardt

The CUTTERS of Fair Lawn High led the KNIGHTS of JFK of Paterson 17-6 in the 4th quarter and lost a heart breaker 27-17 in Big North Conference (BNC) crossover action at BAEURLE FIELD in Paterson last week. Captains George Alexandris, Kevin Osback, Franklyn Ramirez and Jeff Welsh won the coin toss and, with Corey Carlson running the ball and QB Kevin Osback throwing to Alexandris and Pete Danko, our heroes drove to the JFK 6 before the drive stalled. With the KNIGHTS deep in a hole, Laine White blocked a punt and Carlson recovered it for a TD. With Mike Nieman snapping and Danko holding, the sure footed Ari Moslavi kicked the extra point and our CUTTERS led 7-0. Moslavi’s 32 yard field goal gave Fair Lawn a 10-0 halftime lead. Carlson had been knocked out of the game by a viscous hit though.

The KNIGHTS scored on the last play of the 3rd quarter. But Osback’s 54 yard TD scamper and Moslavi’s kick put Fair Lawn up 17-6. A forward pass that was ruled a fumble (Even the official in the press box said it was not a fumble) gave JFK the ball and they scored making it 17-12. White blocked the extra point try. An errant snap gave JFK the ball deep in Fair Lawn territory and the KNIGHTS scored to go ahead 20-17 with 1:41 on the clock. Our “never-say-die” Cutters mounted a desperation drive but an interception and run back TD closed out the scoring. Our CUTTERS have played well in all 3 games they’ve lost and could easily be 2-1 (667). Alexandris intercepted a pass, Kris Burger recovered a fumble and a host of players including Tyler Argot, Thomas Koike, Bill Nicudemos, and others made big plays on “D.”

Fair Lawn is 8-5 (.615) over the COLTS of Paterson Central and their successor KNIGHTS of Paterson Kennedy during 1951-56, 1958, 1988, 2003 and 2009-12, .

In the only game in Fair Lawn’s BNC Liberty Division, the two time defending champion BULLDOGS of Passaic Tech walloped the FIGHTING MUSTANGS of Clifton High 40-6. The BNC Liberty Division went 0-2 against outside opposition. In addition to the Fair Lawn loss, the GHOSTS of Paterson Eastside were shutout 41-0 by the GREEN RAIDERS of Ramapo. The BNC Liberty Division is 2-6 (.250) against outside opposition so far in 2012.

This Saturday at Noon at SASSO FIELD our CUTTERS take on the INDIANS of Passaic for the 6th time in the FLHS Athletic Hall of Fame Game. The 2012 inductees will be introduced at halftime. Pete Natale’s CUTTERS beat the INDIANS 27-18 in 1st round playoff action at GIANTS STADIUM in 1980 and lost a 1985 playoff game 36-26 at Passaic in 1985. Stan Myles’ CUTTERS edged the INDIANS 39-38 in the 1st “Home” playoff game ever played at SASSO FIELD in 2009. The other 2 “Home” Fair Lawn playoff games were at GIANTS STADIUM in 1980. The 1-1 record in 2010-11 BNC Liberty Division action brought Fair Lawn’s record against Passaic to 3-2 (.600).

Fair Lawn and Passaic come into the game 0-3. Our CUTTERS have been outscored 82-48 for an average 27-16 loss. The INDIANS have been outscored 130-48 for an average 43-16 loss. I think our CUTTERS can win this one. From here it looks like Fair Lawn 21- Passaic 13. GO GUTTERS GO!!!