SECOND ROUND PLAYOFF ACTION IN FLHS GRIDIRON HISTORY - 2012

A WALK DOWN MEMORY LANE
By Dick Engelhardt

The New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) instituted playoffs in 1974. Before that, sectional and group championships were awarded using power points. Now they are decided on the GRIDIRON. Power points only come into play in making the playoffs and in seeding in them.

In 1989 – Fair Lawn got into the expanded North Jersey, Section 1, Group IV playoffs by virtue of being undefeated at selection time. Mike Alberque’s Northern Bergen Interscholastic League (NBIL) Division 1 champion CUTTERS upset the BRUINS of North Bergen and the Hudson County Interscholastic Athletic Association (HCIAA) 14-7 in the 1st round. In the next round they faced the HCIAA RED WINGS of Hoboken in the “fumble that wasn’t a fumble” game. With Fair Lawn leading 14-0 Hoboken picked up a 1st down but fumbled. Our CUTTERS might well have scored again to ice the game but a second official overruled the fumble and Hoboken scored on the drive and went on to win a 19-14 thriller.

The RED WINGS got their comeuppance losing to the Northern New Jersey Interscholastic League (NNJIL) INDIANS of Passaic in the finals.

In 2009 Stan Myles’ CUTTERS, playing in the new North Jersey Tri-County Conference (NJTCC) Division 3, made the playoffs. In the first round they edged the INDIANS of Passaic 39-38 in the most thrilling game played in FLHS history. It was the first “Home” playoff game ever at SASSO FIELD. The other two “Home” games were both in 1980 at GIANTS STADIUM.

In the second round our CUTTERS fell 42-7 to the GAELS of Roxbury, champions of the Northwest Jersey Conference (NJC) American Division. Who went on to take the title.

THE GRIDIRON 13-2012

By Dick Engelhardt

In Consolation Game action November 17th at SASSO FIELD, the CUTTERS of Fair Lawn High edged the MUSTANGS of Montville in a 32-27 thriller! Captains George Alexandris, Kevin Osback, Franklyn Ramirez and Jeff Welsh began the contest going out for the coin toss. Fair Lawn’s first drive culminated in a neat 5 yard TD run by Osback behind Kris Burger’s blocking and our heroes led 6-0. Then Osback threw a picture pass to Alexandris for a 44 yard TD. With Welsh snapping and Pete Dankop holding, sure footed Ari Moslavi kicked the extra point and Fair Lawn fans were ecstatic with the 13-0 lead! Our CUTTERS led 13-7 at halftime.

In the 3rd quarter Osback raced 69 yards for a TD and our heroes led 19-7. After the MUSTANGS closed to 19-14 Osback threw to Alexandris for a 3 yard TD and the trio of Welsh, Danko and Moslavi made the extra point for a 26-14 Fair Lawn lead. The MUSTANGS roared right back to make it 26-20 and then, with 1:48 on the clock, went ahead 27-26. Shades of 2008 when the CUTTERS and MUSTANGS exchanged TDs and Montville pulled out a 28-27 win!

Our “never-say-die” CUTTERS were having none of that! Osback threw to Alexandris for a 1st down with 1:29 on the clock. Pulling out all the stops, our CUTTERS dialed up a beauty! Osback threw to Alexandris who threw it back and Osback had a 1st down at the 31. He then threw a bomb to Danko who got to the 3. With 13 seconds on the clock Osback rolled left and outraced everybody to the end zone and our CUTTERS had their season ending victory! Lots of heroics happened on “D” too. Ramirez made a hellacious stop on a kick off, Laine White broke up a pass and tackled a runner for a loss and Nick Tsinkelis had great coverage on a pass and teamed up with White on a stop on a punt. Big plays were made by Tyler Argot, Burger, Danko, John Pagios, Brendan Sibilio and Welsh. Osback picked off a pass ending the 1st half.

The win closed out Fair Lawn’s season at 2-8 (.200). Our CUTTERS are 8-5 (.615) in Consolation Games since the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) instituted them in 1998.

Fair Lawn’s Big North Conference (BNC) Liberty Division was knocked out of the playoffs as in North Jersey, Section 1, Group V, its champion Bulldogs of Passaic County Technical Institute saw the Maroons of Ridgewood came from behind to beat them 31-18. The Division went 1-2 (.333) in Consolation Games. While Fair Lawn won, the FIGHTING MUSTANGS of Clifton High were mauled 40-0 by the JAGUARS of East Orange Campus High and the GHOSTS of Paterson Eastside were ambushed 33-12 by the HIGHWAYMEN of Teaneck.

The BNC Liberty Division closed out its season on Thanksgiving Day going 1-1 (.500) against outside foes. While Eastside edged the KNIGHTS of JFK 31-27 in the 88th renewal of the annual classic at BAUERLE Field in Paterson and took a 41-40-7 (.506) lead in the series, I saw those FIGHTING MUSTANGS get scalped 29-0 by the INDIANS of Passaic at BOVERINI Stadium in the 82nd renewal of the rivalry which Clifton leads 43-36-3 (.544).

In Playoff and Consolation action and on Turkey Day, Fair Lawn’s BNC Liberty Division went 2-5 (.286) against outside foes. The league went 8-20 (.286) against outside opposition in 2012.

Next week we’ll look at Playoff action from a Fair Lawn point of view. Until then, GO CUTTERS GO!!!

THANKSGIVING DAY FLHS GRIDIRON HISTORY – 2012

A WALK DOWN MEMORY LANE
By Dick Engelhardt

1951 – Fair Lawn High School opened September 13th, 1943. The 1st Thanksgiving game was a 19-0 victory over the TERRIERS of Holy Trinity High School of Westfield. The Fair Lawn-Ridgewood rivalry started in 1944 and ended in 1983. This 2012 history covers the years ending in “2.”

1952 – Frank Bennett’s CUTTERS beat the MAROONS of Ridgewood 20-12 in Bergen-Passaic Interscholastic League (B-PIL) action. The Maroons led the series, which began in 1944, 6-3 (.667). The B-PIL would become the Northern Bergen Interscholastic League (NBIL) in 1956.

1962 – Coach Ed Sheehy’s CUTTERS shutout the MAROONS 19-0 in Northern New Jersey Interscholastic League (NNJIL) action. The MAROONS led the Annual Classic 12-6-1 (.667).

1972 – Al Reinoso’s CUTTERS were edged 9-7 by Ridgewood. The MAROONS led the series 18-9-2 (.667).

1982 – Pete Natale’s CUTTERS were beaten 14-6 by the MAROONS. Ridgewood led the series 25-11-3 (.694). It would end with a 20-7 Ridgewood victory in Ridgewood in 1983. The game had been played at what is now SASSO FIELD 1964-82. Ridgewood took the rivalry 26-11-3 (.703). Fair Lawn returned to the Northern Bergen Interscholastic League (NBIL) in 1984.

1992 – Mike Alberque’s CUTTERS were beaten 33-13 the PATRIOTS of Wayne Hills in NBIL Division 1 action. The PATRIOTS led the series 4-5 (.444). It would end in 1993 with a 55-14 Wayne Hills victory. Fair Lawn and Wayne Hills each won 5 games. The Fair Lawn – Bergenfield Turkey Day rivalry would begin in 1994.

2002 – Alberque’s CUTTERS were beaten 21-6 by the BEARS of Bergenfield in NBIL Division 1 action. Our CUTTERS led the series 7-2 (.778). They took the 1994-2008 Thanksgiving Day rivalry 11-4 (.733) and the overall 1945-48 and 1962-2008 rivalry 35-16 (.686).

THE GRIDIRON 12–2012

THANKSGIVING DAY MEMORIES
By Dick Engelhardt

The 2012 football season, the 70th since Fair Lawn High School opened September 13th, 1943, is the fourth in which our CUTTERS had no Thanksgiving Day football game. Coach Marty Fischbein found an opponent for his new CUTTERS that initial 1943 season in the TERRIERS of Holy Trinity High School of Westfield. Our CUTTERS started their Thanksgiving play with a 19-0 victory on what is now the Center Rec Field before the football field was built. The present SASSO FIELD, named after the venerable athletic director, teacher, coach and vice principal, Virgil G. Sasso, who served 1944-79, was laid out in 1956 as the gold colored “B Wing” high school addition was being built and took that space. The current home stands were constructed in 1959.

In 1944, Fischbein’s CUTTERS began a 40 year Turkey Day rivalry with the MAROONS of Ridgewood which ended in 1984 when Fair Lawn left the Northern New Jersey Interscholastic League (NNJIL) to return to the Northern Bergen Interscholastic League (NBIL), that Fair Lawn and Ridgewood had left in 1959. Ridgewood took the 1944-83 annual classic 26-11-3 (.703).

In 1984, back in the NBIL, our Cutters began a 10 year 1984-93 Turkey Day rivalry with the PATRIOTS of Wayne Hills that wound up 5-5 (.500). The teams continued to play during the season. Wayne Hills took the 1984-2009 overall rivalry 20-5 (.800).

In 1994 the Thunderbirds of Mahwah joined the NBIL, which they had left in the 1960s for the new Bergen-Passaic Scholastic League (B-PSL). They wanted to play their old Turkey Day foe, Ramsey. The reshuffling of the Turkey Day NBIL rivalries enabled Fair Lawn to pick up the BEARS of Bergenfield. Fair Lawn took the 1994-2008 Turkey Day rivalry 11-4 (.733) and the 1945-48 and 1962-2008 overall rivalry, the longest in either school’s history, 35-16 (.686).

Fair Lawn’s 66 season Thanksgiving Day record during 1943-2008 is 28-35-3 (.444). It ended with Fair Lawn’s 42-0 victory over Bergenfield. There were some great memories along the way. In 1947, our Cutters shared the then Bergen-Passaic Interscholastic League (B-PIL) championship with the Golden Bears of Lyndhurst. Coach Frank “Mac” Bennett was the New York Daily News North Jersey “Coach of The Year.” The Cutters beat the Maroons 7-6 for the first Fair Lawn victory. Ridgewood led the series 3-1 (.750). In 1953 Bennett’s B-PIL champion Cutters shared the North Jersey, Section 1, Group III title with the Comets of Hackensack. They beat Ridgewood 26-6. Star running back Dave Sime would become “The World’s Fastest Human!” Ridgewood led the series 6-4 (.600). Bennett’s ’55 B-PIL champion CUTTERS beat Ridgewood 19-7. My twin brother, Bill, and I were “Water Boys” on that team! The MAROONS led the series 7-5 (.583).

Bennett’s ‘59 CUTTERS almost took the title in their maiden NNJIL season. Ridgewood’s 13-7 upset victory in which the Maroons injured Fair Lawn’s star running back, Bob Wright, who went on to play for Army, gave Hackensack the title by half a game even though our CUTTERS had beaten the COMETS 27-6. Ridgewood led the series 10-5-1 (.667).

Ed Sheehy’s ‘64 CUTTERS tied Ridgewood 6-6. Sheehy died after the season and Frank Devens’ NNJIL champion Cutters went 8-0-1 (1.000) in ’65 and beat Ridgewood 13-6 on Turkey Day. They remain the only FLHS team in history to go undefeated! Ridgewood led the series 12-8-2 (.600). Devens’ 1966 NNJIL champion CUTTERS brought a 24 game non-losing streak into the game. Sensational running back, Bruce Jankowski would go on to star at Ohio State and play for the Kansas City CHIEFS in the National Football League (NFL) and the Shreveport STEAMER in the World Football League (WFL). He and ’59 star, Bob Wright, along with coaches Bennett and Devens and the late AD, Virge Sasso, were in the initial group inducted into the Fair Lawn High School Athletic Hall Of Fame in 2006. Coach Fischbein and the original “cutters” were inducted in ‘09 along with this writer. Before a crowd of 13,000 on Thanksgiving Day in ‘66, Ridgewood upset Fair Lawn in a 40-34 barn burner. The MAROONS led the series 13-8-2 (.619).

What wonderful memories there are of FLHS in action on Thanksgiving Day! Next week we’ll look at Fair Lawn’s Consolation game against Montville and playoff action of interest to Fair Lawn fans. Until then, GO CUTTERS GO!!!

SOUTH WESTERN MUSTANGS GRIDIRON 2012-12

By Bill Engelhardt
________

Last Friday evening, November 9, the number 12 Mustangs of South Western visited the number 5 seed Mustangs of Governor Mifflin (8-2 overall, 7-0 Berks Inter-Count 1 League) in the first round of the District 3 class AAAA Playoffs and were defeated 49-20. The Mustangs of Governor Mifflin will move on and play the Comets of Penn Manor (10-1 overall, 6-1 Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 1) at Millersville University next Friday at 7PM in the second round of the playoffs.

South Western opened the game with a 5 play 12-yard drive from their 11-yard line and punted. Governor Mifflin then drove 40-yards six plays, ending with a 2-yard touchdown run by Jan Johnson. David Suchoza’s extra point kick put Governor Mifflin up 7-0 at the 7:57 mark of the first quarter.

South Western drove 37-yards in three plays, featuring a 28-yard run by Dillon Thomas, only to have Thomas DePaul intercept a Mike Duffy pass and return it 22-yards. Governor Mifflin then 67-yards in seven plays, ending with DePaul’s 12-yard touchdown run. Suchoza’s extra point kick made the score 14-0 at the 43:47 mark of the first quarter.

South Western went three and out and punted. However, Aram Moffitt recovered a Governor Mifflin fumble for South Western and the Mustangs had the ball on the Governor Mifflin 10-yard line. Zach Osborne dashed in for a 10-yard touchdown and Jake Tracy’s extra point kick made the score 14-7 at the 1:59 mark of the first quarter.

DePaul returned the kickoff 44-yards to the South Western 26-yard line and four plays later he scored a touchdown on a 10-yard run. Suchoza’s extra point kick upped the score to 21-7 with 10 seconds left in the first quarter.

South Western and Governor Mifflin exchanged punts and South Western punted again. Then Governor Mifflin drove 65-yards in eight plays, ending with Aric Dupell’s 5-yard touchdown run. Suchoza’s extra point kick put Governor Mifflin up 28-7 at the 4:33 mark of the second quarter.

Payton Taylor returned the ensuing kickoff 85-yards to the Governor Mifflin 10-yard line for South Western. Three plays later Tyler Sterner threw a nifty 9-yard touchdown pass to Jerome Robinson for South Western and Tracy’s extra point kick made the score 28-14 at the 3:28 mark of the second quarter.

Governor Mifflin then drove 52-yards in five plays, featuring a 26-yard pass from Jan Johnson to TJ Battinieri, and ending with an 11-yard touchdown run by DePaul. Suchoza’s extra point kick upped the score to 35-14 at the 1:19 mark of the second quarter.

Governor Mifflin opened the second half with a 66-yard seven play drive, ending with a 1-yard touchdown plunge by Jonas Fiant. Suchoza’s extra point kick upped the score to 42-14 at the 8:28 mark of the third quarter.

South Western ran off three plays and Tyler Sterner’s pass was intercepted by DePaul (his second interception of the game) for Governor Mifflin. Governor Mifflin then drove 62-yards in eight plays, ending with a 9-yard touchdown pass from Jan Johnson to TJ Battinieri. Suchoza’s extra point kick upped the score to 49-14, invoking the running clock, at the 3:13 mark of the third quarter.

Marcus Johnson recovered a South Western fumble for Governor Mifflin at the South Western 26-yard line. South Western’s defense held and Governor Mifflin turned the ball over on downs at the South Western 23-yard line. Dillon Thomas then jaunted 77-yards for a South Western touchdown, closing out the scoring at 49-20 with 10 seconds left in the third quarter.

Jake Tracy kicked off 4 times for 159-yards, with the longest going for 50-yards. Payton Taylor returned 2 kickoffs for 90-yards, with the longest going for 85-yards, Wyat Trostle returned 4 kickoffs for 61-yards, with the longest going for 19-yards, and Brandon McMinn retuned 1 kickoff for 8-yards. Brandon Utz punted 4 times for 124-yards for an average of 31.0-yards, with the longest going for 37-yards, for the South Western Mustangs.

Devon Ackerman, with 11 tackles, led the South Western Mustangs defense, followed by Payton Taylor with 10 tackles, Aram Moffitt with 6 tackles and a recovered fumble, Gunner Holtz with 6 tackles and a pass hurry, Eddie Lane, Chris Weibe and Brady Shultz with 5 tackles each, Gabe Morela with 4 tackles, Mike Duffy with 3 tackles, Alex Jones, Dakotah Moses, and Jerome Robinson with 2 tackles each, and Brandon McMinn, Zach Nixon, Hunter Palmer, Shawn Secola, Jake Tracy, Brandon Utz, and Josh Walker with 1 tackle each.

Devon Ackerman, Alex Jones, Matt Helwig, Gunner Holtz, Ryan Krebs, Eddie Lane, Ryan Lane, Aram Moffitt, Mike Mooradian, Gabe Morela, Dakotah Moses, Shawn Secola, Brady Shultz, Dillon Thomas, Aaron Uttley, and Chris Weibe, manned the offensive and defensive line and linebacker positions, with help from Brandon McMinn, Zach Nixon, Ethan Paul, Josh Walker, Wayne Trostle, and Brandon Utz. Mike Duffy, Jordan Markle, Hunter Palmer, Jerome Robinson, Payton Taylor, and Bobby Wildasin patrolled the secondary for the South Western Mustangs, with help from Aaron Doll.

The South Western Mustangs gained 224-yards rushing and 47-yards passing for a total of 271-yards of offense. Quarterback Tyler Sterner completed 6 of 9 passes for 47-yards and 1 touchdown, 2 for 17-yards to Bobby Wildasin, 1 for 11-yards to Dakotah Moses, 1 for 9-yards and a touchdown to Jerome Robinson, 1 for 5-yards to Zach Osborne, and 1 for 5-yards to Dillon Thomas, and quarterback Mike Duffy failed to complete a pass in 4 attempts, for the South Western Mustangs.

Dillon Thomas led the South Western Mustangs rushing attack with 20 carries for 190-yards (Including a 77-yard touchdown, giving him a single season school record 1,541-yards rushing to go along with his 17 touchdowns for the season), followed by Wildasin with 4 carries for 16-yards, Zach Osborne with 2 carries for 14-yards (including a 10-yard touchdown), Brady Shultz with 4 carries for 8-yards, Dakotah Moses with 1 carry for no yards, and Tyler Sterner with 1 carry for minus 4-yards. Jake Tracy kicked 2 extra points, Aram Moffitt recovered a fumble, and Gunner Holtz recorded a sack, for the South Western Mustangs.

The Governor Mifflin Mustangs gained 421-yards rushing and 33- yards passing for a total of 454-yards gained. Quarterback Jan Johnson completed 2 of 3 passes for 33-yards and 1 touchdown (for 9-yards) to Thomas Battinieri for the Governor Mifflin Mustangs.

Thomas DePaul led the Governor Mifflin Mustangs rushing attack with 10 carries for 135-yards (including touchdowns of 12, 10, and 11-yards), followed by Johnson with 99 (including a 10-yard touchdown), Ryan Barbon with 75, Rhomello with 31, Jonas Fiant with 28 (including a 1-yard touchdown), Aric Dupell with 26 (including an 11-yard touchdown), Majid Sillah with 17, Bret Kendall with 6, Hunter Reeser with 3-yards, and Wilson Fontanez with 1-yard. David Suchoza kicked 7 extra points and DePaul intercepted 2 passes for the Governor Mifflin Mustangs.

The 9-time Cavalcade of Bands Champions, Tournament of Bands Group IV Champion and US Scholastic Band Champion 59 member strong South Western Mustangs Marching Band put on a stirring half time performance, presenting their 2012 field show “Unity: A Natural Balance.” The show took us on a musical and visual exploration of the three natural forces among us: Water, Air and Land. The show opened with “Of Men and the Sea,” depicting the energetic role of water in our world. The raging water calmed us as we turned our eyes to the sky, then with a ballad highlighting the beauty and mystery of the night air and the “stars.” The show closed with the exotic sounds of the land in “Puma.” The Governor Mifflin Mustangs Marching Band put on a stirring pre-game show.

The South Western Mustangs Cheer Leading squad and the Governor Mifflin Mustangs squad were very impressive as they roused the faithful.

The Mustangs of South Western finished their season 6-5-0 overall and 3-2-0 in York Adams Interscholastic Athletic Association (YAIAA) Division I league play.

The Mustangs have a career record of 343-211-8. The results of the 562 games played in the history of the South Western Mustangs are a career .619 winning percentage and a .625 non-losing percentage.

We bid a fond and tearful farewell and offer our best wishes for the future to the 19 departing seniors. We owe them all our gratitude for their efforts in providing us with exciting football over the course of their high school careers. They are: Devon Ackerman, Aaron Doll, Mike Duffy, A.J. Jones, Doug Krout, Aram Moffitt, Mike Mooradian, Gabe Morela, Dakotah Moses, Logan Neiderer, Zach Nixon, Jerome Robinson, David Schaub, Shawn Secola, Brady Shultz, Jake Tracy, Brandon Utz, Chris Weibe, and Bobby Wildasin.

I want to say a very special thank you to Richard Lupro for faithfully compiling the official Offensive, Special Teams and Scoring statistics for the Mustangs, and for inputting them at the Max Preps web site very quickly each week so that they were always available for my use. He was instrumental in coming up with many of the records that will be mentioned below. And a very special thank you also goes to Mustangs Assistant Coach Chris Heilman inputting all of the defensive stats at Max Preps after reviewing game films on very short notice. They were always available for my use on the day after each game.

The 2012 edition of the Mustangs of South Western got Damian Poalucci’s Head Coaching career off to a fine start indeed. Having taken over the helm from the hugely successful and legendary 26-year Coach Don Seidenstricker, Damian had a very tough act to follow. There is no doubt that he lived up to the challenge, and then some. Congratulations go to Damian on a job well done.

The Mustangs gave their fans lots of excitement and thrills.

Dillon Thomas ended his season with 213 carries for 1,541-yards and 17 touchdowns rushing and 8 pass receptions for 76-yards. This will put him in the “Keystone Club” at the Pennsylvania Football News. Only a junior, Dillon still has a year to go in his high school career. He rushed for 1,058-yards and 15 touchdowns in his sophomore year, giving him a career total of 2,599-yards and 32-touchdowns rushing. This already puts him in 3rd place in career rushing yardage in the history of the school, and he is only 273-yards short of breaking the all time record of 2,871-yards set by Allen Bittinger. He knocked assistant coach Doug Morela, with 2,351-yards rushing, from 3rd place down to 4th place.

Dillon Thomas’ 32 touchdowns puts him in 4th place on the career list, 2 touchdowns behind Morela’s 34 and 15 behind Mike Felton’s school record of 47 touchdowns. Repeating this season’s number next year would put him in 1st place. His 102 points scored for this season will also put him in the “Keystone Club.”

Jake Tracy kicked 31 extra points for the season and 35 for last season, putting him in 3rd place on the career list in school history with 66. This will put him in the “Keystone Club.” Ryan Wickline with 105 and Drew Snyder with 81 are in 1st and 2nd place all time.

Brandon Utz punted 37 times for 1,304-yards, for an average of 35.24-yards. This will put him in the “Keystone Club.”

The quarterback tandem of Mike Duffy and Tyler Sterner completed 63 of 133 passes for 974-yards and 9 touchdowns. Ryan Lane chipped in with 2 completions and 1 touchdown and Ryan Krebs added another completion for the Mustangs. The team totaled 66 completions on 137 attempts for 915-yards and 10 touchdowns. The season reception leaders were Jerome Robinson with 14 for 203-yards and 4 touchdowns, followed by Zach Osborne with 10 for 92-yards and 1 touchdown, Mike Mooradian with 5 for 84-yards and 1 touchdown, Dillon Thomas with 8 for 76-yards, Brandon McMinn with 2 for 71-yards, Hunter Palmer with 3 for 65-yards, Jordan Markle with 3 for 59-yards and 1 touchdown, Dakotah Moses with 6 for 54-yards, Payton Taylor with 3 for 48-yards and 1 touchdown, Branden Fahs with 1 for 45-yards and 1 touchdown, Brady Shultz with 3 for 44-yards and 1 touchdown, Gabe Morela with 2 for 36-yards, Bobby Wildasin with 4 for 24-yards, Wyatt Trostle with 1 for 8-yards, and Brady Thayer with 1 for 6-yards.

Dillon Thomas led the team in rushing with his 146 carries for 1,541-yards and 17 touchdowns, followed by Brady Shultz with 42 carries for 220-yards and 1 touchdown, Dakotah Moses with 35 carries for 178-yards and 1 touchdown, Zach Osborne with 32 carries for 141-yards and 1 touchdown, Camden Brown with 25 carries for 137-yards and 2 touchdowns, Bobby Wildasin with 19 carries for 86-yards, Payton Taylor with 18 carries for 76-yards and 1 touchdown, Wyatt Trostle with 17 carries for 62-yards and 1 touchdown, Matt Shanks with 5 carries for 23-yards, Ryan Lane with 1 carry for 6-yards and 1 touchdown, Mike Duffy with 29 carries for 5-yards and 1 touchdown, Bret Hertzog with 8 carries for 2-yards, and Tyler Sterner with 15 carries for minus 18-yards and 2 touchdowns. There was a team loss of 6-yards on 6 carries. There was a net of 465 carries for 2,453-yards and 28 rushing touchdowns for the season.

Dillon Thomas led the team in scoring with 102 points, from 17 touchdowns. He was followed by Jake Tracy with 31 points on 31 extra point kicks, Payton Taylor with 18 points on 3 touchdowns, Camden Brown, Jordan Markle, Zach Osborne, Brady Shultz, and Tyler Sterner with 12 points each, on 2 touchdowns, and Mike Duffy, Branden Fahs, Ryan Lane, Mike Mooradian, Dakotah Moses, and Wyatt Trostle with 6 points each, on 1 touchdown. The team scored 277 points for the season.

There were 4 players with at least 50 tackles for the season. They were: Aram Moffitt with 67, Chris Weibe with 65, Eddie Lane with 54, and Payton Taylor with 52.

Chris Weibe led the team with 3 sacks on the season, followed by Gunner Holtz, Aram Moffitt, and Gabe Morela with 2 sacks each, and Eddie Lane, Ryan Lane, Ethan Paul, and Dillon Thomas with 1 sack each. There was a team total of 13 sacks for the season.

The 2012 Mustangs represented their school and league honorably, played hard, never gave up, and they reached the District 3 Playoffs. They have a great nucleus of returning players from the junior varsity and solid players coming up within the ranks. And the distant future looks bright as well, as the 7th, 8th, and 9th grade teams had only 1 loss among them this season. I can’t wait for next season to begin. Until then, GO MUSTANGS GO.

FIRST ROUND PLAYOFFS IN FLHS GRIDIRON HISTORY

A WALK DOWN MEMORY LANE
By Dick Engelhardt

The New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) instituted playoffs in 1974. Before that, sectional and group championships were awarded using power points. Now they are decided on the GRIDIRON.

1979 – Pete Natale came to Fair Lawn in 1978 having won championships at Ridgefield Park and made the CUTTERS winners again. They shut out the FIGHTING MUSTANGS of Clifton High 21-0 in Northern New Jersey Interscholastic League (NNJIL) action in the regular season. In the States the roles were reversed as Clifton shut out Fair Lawn 30-0. During 1972-74 independently, 1975-81 in the NNJIL and 2010-12 in the Big North Conference (BNC) Liberty Division, Clifton has gone 10-3-1 (.769) over Fair Lawn including that playoff victory.

1980 – Natale’s CUTTERS shared the NNJIL title with Clifton and Passaic Valley. In the States they played one of the most exciting games in their history. Trailing the INDIANS of Passaic 7-0, 12-0, 12-7 and 18-7 at GIANTS STADIUM they roared back to win a 27-18 thriller.

1985 – Those INDIANS got revenge as they won a 36-26 thriller over Natale’s Northern Bergen Interscholastic League (NBIL) Division 1 champion CUTTERS at Passaic’s “One River Stadium.” Passaic School Stadium is now Boverini Stadium, named after the late long time Passaic Athletic Director. Fair Lawn trailed only 28-26 until the final minutes.

1987 – Natale’s NBIL Division 1 champion CUTTERS lost a 12-6 heart breaker to the BEES of Bayonne at Bayonne’s Veteran’s Memorial Stadium in freezing cold and gale force winds. Bayonne Coach Don Ahern said he was thankful for the awful weather because only it, and not his BEES, could thwart Fair Lawn’s vaunted offense.

1988 – Natale’s offensive coordinator, Mike Alberque, took over and led his CUTTERS into the States. They were beaten 20-6 by the KNIGHTS of John F. Kennedy of Paterson at Hinchliffe Stadium. During 1951-56 independently, in the playoffs in 1988, in a Consolation game in 2003, in the North Jersey Tri-County Conference (NJTCC) in 2009 and in the Big North Conference (BNC) Liberty Division 2010-12, Fair Lawn has gone to 8-5 (.615) over Central/Kennedy.

1989 – Alberque’s NBIL Division 1 champion CUTTERS upset the BRUINS of North Bergen 14-7 in the States in the only game played to date between the schools until the BRUINS 33-13 victory in North Jersey Tri-County Conference (NJTCC) crossover play in 2009.

2000 - Alberque’s CUTTERS gave the nationally ranked COMETS of Hackensack all they could handle before losing a 14-6 thriller. During 1959-82 in NNIIL action the COMETS went 16-7-1 against our CUTTERS. The 3-0 Hackensack lead in Big North Conference (BNC) crossover action in 2010–12 has the COMETS’ record against our CUTTERS 20-7-1 (.741).

2009 –Stan Myles’ CUTTERS played the most thrilling game in their 67 season GRIDIRON history edging the INDIANS of Passaic 39-38 in the 1st Home playoff game ever at SASSO FIELD. The previous 2 Home playoff games were both at GIANTS STADIUM in 1980.

Fair Lawn’s record in “Consolation Games,” played the first weekend of playoffs since 1998, is 7-5 (.583).

THE GRIDIRON 11-2012

By Dick Engelhardt

The CUTTERS of Fair Lawn High lost a heart breaking 29-27 game to the GHOSTS of Paterson Eastside last Saturday at BAUERLE Field in Paterson in Big North Conference (BNC) Liberty Division action. The game went down to the last play! Captains George Alexandris, Kevin Osback, Franklyn Ramirez and Jeff Welsh went out for the coin toss. Eastside won and deferred. Fair Lawn’s first drive stalled but the defense held. Then Ramirez picked up yards behind center Kris Burger and Osback rambled for a 1st down at the 27 off blocks by Tylor Argot and Brian Centeno. Ramirez ran twice for 1st downs and Osback ran to the 1 and then plunged for the TD behind Burger putting our heroes ahead 6-0. With Welsh snapping and Pete Danko holding, Ari Moslavi’s extra point kick made it 7-0. Eastside scored to tie it Alexandris intercepted a pass and electrified the crowd running it back 70 yards for a TD off a great block by Dan Laboy to put our heroes up 13-7. The Ghosts scored a TD and a field goal to go ahead 17-13. As the half drew to a close Osback passed to Danko and Matt Ferry for 1st downs and to Alexandris to the 14. With 4 seconds left a field goal try went awry and the GHOSTS took the lead into halftime.

Our CUTTERS began the second half with an onside kick that the GHOSTS recovered. Our heroes held but the GHOSTS picked up a 1st down on a fake punt and scored to go ahead 23-13. Osback passed to Alexandris who scampered 60 yards for a TD to make it 23-20. After Eastside went ahead 29-20, Osback’s TD run made it 29-27. With 2:33 on the clock our heroes began their final drive at the Fair Lawn 33. With a 4th and 3 at the 40 and 1:41 on the clock, Osback threw to Alexandris for a 1st down. Another pass to Alexandris brought the ball to the 25. Then Osback threw to Thomas Koike who rambled to the 3. With 11 seconds on the clock, Fair Lawn eschewed a winning field goal try in favor of one more pass hoping for a TD. If it was incomplete there would still be time for that field goal. Alas, it was intercepted ending the thriller.

Great plays were made on defense. Argot and Burger teamed up on a terrific stop. Ramirez stopped a 3rd down run forcing a punt and broke up a screen pass forcing a punt. Scott Marcoux made a nice tackle, Brendan Sibilio made a TD saving tackle and Laine White made a great stop on a kickoff return. The 1947-54, 1983 and 2010-12 rivalry with Eastside is tied at 6-6 (.500).

The FIGHTING MUSTANGS of Clifton High had a bye. Fair Lawn’s BNC Liberty Division went 0-1 against outside opposition as its champion BULLDOGS of Passaic County Technical Institute were beaten 23-12 by the MAROONS of Ridgewood in crossover action. The BNC Liberty Division is on the short end of a shocking 6-16 (.273) record against outside foes so far in 2012.

This Saturday at 1:30 our CUTTERS will play a “Consolation Game” at SASSO FIELD against the MUSTANGS of Montville. In 2008 Stan Myle’s CUTTERS lost a 28-27 heart breaker to the MUSTANGS. Fair Lawn’s record in these games since they began in 1998 is 7-5 (.583). Our CUTTERS come into the game 1-8 (.111) with an average 31-11 loss and the MUSTANGS come into the game 3-6 (.667) with an average 28-14 loss. Our “never-say-die” CUTTERS will go all out to end their season with a victory! From here it looks like Fair Lawn 14 – Montville 13. GO GUTTERS GO!!!

SOUTH WESTERN MUSTANGS GRIDIRON 2012-11

By Bill Engelhardt
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Last Friday evening, November 2, the Mustangs of South Western hosted the Rockets of Spring Grove and galloped and passed their way to a thrilling 19-17 victory, propelling them into the 12th seed in the District 3 class AAAA playoff picture. With the loss, the Rockets lost out on sole possession of the YAIAA Division title and share it with the Panthers of Central York.

The defensive struggle opened with the Mustangs and the Rockets exchanging punts. The Mustangs then started at their own 2-yard line and got a first down at the 14 on a 12-yard run by Dillon Thomas, but ended up punting. The Rockets, after a 15-yard penalty against the Mustangs, started at the Mustangs 20-yard line. Three plays later Andrew Luckenbaugh kicked a 32-yard field goal and the Rockets were up 3-0 with 5:37 left in the first quarter.

The Mustangs then drove 27-yards in five plays, featuring a 10-yard pass from Mike Duffy to Thomas, but a penalty wiped out most of the gain and they punted. The Rockets soon returned the favor and punted.

Jerome Robinson returned the punt 31-yards for the Mustangs and they then drove 56-yards in ten plays, featuring a 16-yard run by Thomas. The drive ended with picture perfect 10-yard touchdown pass from Duffy to Mike Mooradian. Jake Tracy kicked the extra point and the Mustangs went up 7-3 with 9:02 left in the second quarter.

The Rockets and the Mustangs exchanged punts and the Rockets drove 72-yards in 17 plays, only to have the first half come to an end with Matt Runge being stopped at the 1-yard line.

The Rockets and the Mustangs exchanged punts to open the second half. Then the Rockets drove 65-yards in three plays, featuring a 10-yard run by Runge, a 43-yard run by Jeff Delaughter, and a 2-yard touchdown plunge by Runge. Luckenbaugh’s extra point kick put the Rockets up 10-7 with 6:37 left in the third quarter.

Not to be deterred, the Mustangs responded with a 49-yard kickoff return by Payton Taylor, to the Rockets 46-yard line. Seven plays later Duffy threw a beautiful 28-yard touchdown pass to Robinson and the Mustangs went up 13-10 with 3:02 left in the third quarter.

The Rockets drove 23-yards in six plays, only to turn the ball over on downs at the Mustangs 38-yard line. Logan Hagerman then intercepted a Duffy pass for the Rockets and the Rockets drove 40-yards in nine plays, featuring an 11-yard run by Delaughter. Delaughter plunged in for a 3-yard touchdown and Luckenbaugh’s extra point kick put the Rockets up 17-13 with 8:26 left in the game.

The Mustangs ended up punting and the Rockets were in good shape at the Mustangs 46-yard line. Jerome Robinson then recovered a fumble by Runge and returned it 55-yards for a Mustangs touchdown. That ended the scoring with the Mustangs up 19-17 with 5:54 left in the game.

Jake Tracy kicked off 4 times for 163-yards, with the longest going for 50-yards. Payton Taylor returned 2 kickoffs for 51-yards, with the longest going for 49-yards, and Wyat Trostle returned 1 kickoff for 5-yards. Brandon Utz punted 7 times for 228-yards for an average of 32.57-yards, with the longest going for 52-yards. Jerome Robinson returned 2 punts for 31-yards, with the longest going for 31-yards, for the Mustangs.

Devon Ackerman, with 16 tackles and 1 caused fumble, led the Mustang defense, followed by Gunner Holtz with 12 tackles and 2 pass hurries, Chris Weibe with 9 tackles, 1 caused fumble, and 1 pass hurry, Aram Moffitt with 8 tackles and 4 pass hurries, Ryan Krebs and Ryan Lane with 7 tackles each, Jerome Robinson with 5 tackles and a fumble recovery that he returned 55-yards for a touchdown, Gabe Morela and Brady Shultz with 5 tackles each, Eddie Lane and Payton Taylor with 4 tackles each, and Dillon Thomas and Gustave Landis with 1 tackle each.

Devon Ackerman, Alex Jones, Matt Helwig, Gunner Holtz, Ryan Krebs, Eddie Lane, Ryan Lane, Aram Moffitt, Mike Mooradian, Gabe Morela, Dakotah Moses, Shawn Secola, Brady Shultz, Dillon Thomas, Aaron Uttley, and Chris Weibe, manned the offensive and defensive line and linebacker positions, with help from Brandon McMinn, Ethan Paul, Josh Walker, Wayne Trostle, and Brandon Utz. Mike Duffy, Jordan Markle, Hunter Palmer, Jerome Robinson, Payton Taylor, and Bobby Wildasin patrolled the secondary for the Mustangs, with help from Aaron Doll.

The Mustangs gained 115-yards rushing and 53-yards passing for a total of 168-yards of offense. Quarterback Mike Duffy completed 6 of 10 passes for 53-yards and 2 touchdowns, 1 for 28-yards and a touchdown to Jerome Robinson, 2 for 12-yards to Dillon Thomas, 1 for 10-yards and a touchdown to Mike Mooradian, 1 for 3-yards to Bobby Wildasin, and 1 for no yards to Zach Osborne, and quarterback Tyler Sterner attempted 1 pass that fell incomplete, for the Mustangs.

Dillon Thomas led the Mustangs rushing attack with 23 carries for 77-yards (giving him 1,351-yards and 16 touchdowns for the season), followed by Wildasin with 5 carries for 21-yards, Zach Osborne with 2 carries for 11-yards, Dakotah Moses with 3 carries for 6-yards, Brady Shultz with 3 carries for 3-yards, Duffy with 1 carry for no yards, and Sterner with 1 carry for no yards. Robinson recovered a fumble and returned it 55-yards for a touchdown, Jake Tracy kicked 1 extra point, Devon Ackerman recorded 16 tackles and 1 caused fumble, Aram Moffitt recorded 4 pass hurries, Gunner Holtz recorded 2 pass hurries, and Chris Weibe recorded 1 pass hurry and 1 caused fumble, for the Mustangs.

The Rockets gained 290-yards rushing and 0- yards passing for a total of 290 yards gained. Quarterback Matt Runge attempted 9 passes and completed none.

Jeff Delaughter led the Rockets rushing attack with 30 carries for 161-yards (including a 1-yard touchdown), followed by Runge with 21 carries for 115-yards (including a 3-yard touchdown), and Logan Hagerman with 3 carries for 14-yards. Andrew Luckenbaugh kicked a 32-yard field goal and 2 extra points and Logan Hagerman intercepted a pass for the Rockets.

The 9-time Cavalcade of Bands Champions, Tournament of Bands Group IV Champion and US Scholastic Band Champion 59 member strong South Western Mustangs Marching Band put on a stirring post game performance, presenting their 2012 field show “Unity: A Natural Balance.” The show took us on a musical and visual exploration of the three natural forces among us: Water, Air and Land. The show opened with “Of Men and the Sea,” depicting the energetic role of water in our world. The raging water calmed us as we turned our eyes to the sky, then with a ballad highlighting the beauty and mystery of the night air and the “stars.” The show closed with the exotic sounds of the land in “Puma.” The 45 members strong Rockets Marching Band put on a stirring half time show featuring classic rock tunes by Queen, Aerosmith and Journey.

The 21 member strong Mustangs Cheer Leading squad and the Rockets squad were very impressive as they roused the faithful.

The Mustangs of South Western are 6-4-0 overall and 3-2-0 in York Adams Interscholastic Athletic Association (YAIAA) Division I league play.

The Mustangs have a career record of 343-210-8. The results of the 561 games played in the history of the South Western Mustangs are a career .620 winning percentage and a .626 non-losing percentage.

Next week the number 12 seed Mustangs of South Western will visit the number 5 seed Mustangs of Governor Mifflin (8-2 overall, 7-0 Berks Inter-Count 1 League) in the first round of the District 3 class AAAA Playoffs. Governor Mifflin is coming off of a 56-30 victory over the Scouts of Conrad Weiser. The Mustangs are looking to remain on the winning track. GO MUSTANGS GO.

THE GRIDIRON 10-2012

By Dick Engelhardt
The Fair Lawn - Eastside Rivalry

Hurricane Sandy took a terrible toll on the Metropolitan area and the entire State of New Jersey. The New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) moved the football playoff dates back a week and the area games that were scheduled for last week, except one that was played out of State, were postponed too.

Back in “the day,” the Fair Lawn – Paterson Eastside rivalry was a big deal indeed! Before Fair Lawn High opened September 13th, 1943, most Fair Lawn students, including former Mayor Lou Raffiani and former Superintendent of Schools Tom Cannito, attended Eastside. A few students from the Columbia Heights section went to Hawthorne and the Radburn section students went to Ridgewood. The senior class of 1943-44 was allowed to finish up where they were and there was no senior class that year at FLHS. The first graduating class was the 1945 group. The 1957 graduating class my twin brother, Bill, and I were in was the lucky 13th graduating class at FLHS. We began going to the football games in 1951 in 7th grade before the junior highs (now middle schools) were built. Our class opened Thomas Jefferson Jr. High in 1953 and voted on its name. Memorial opened in ’56. Bill and I “spotted” for long time popular Fair Lawn announcer Joe Hausmann 1967-96 and I was privileged to become “The voice of the CUTTERS on The Gridiron” in 1997. I’ve been writing THE GRIDIRON under various titles since 1964.

In those early years many Fair Lawn fans rooted for Eastside, Hawthorne and Ridgewood when they played Fair Lawn. After all, those schools were their alma maters! Legendary Fair Lawn Coach Frank Bennett’s CUTTERS began facing Hank Rumana’s GHOSTS of Paterson Eastside in 1947. Our CUTTERS, featuring star running back Charlie “Choo Choo” Motta, who was inducted into the FLHS Athletic Hall of Fame with the inaugural group in 2006, shared the ‘47 Bergen-Passaic Interscholastic League (B-PIL) title with the GOLDEN BEARS of Lyndhurst while the GHOSTS were a powerhouse in the old Passaic Valley Conference (PVC). Bennett’s CUTTERS won the first game 20-19 and the next 2 to go 3-0 (1.000). His 1953 B-PIL champion team, featuring running back Dave Sime, who would become the “World’s Fastest Human,” lost a 20-13 thriller. Sime also was an initial inductee into the FLHS Athletic Hall of Fame. That loss cost Fair Lawn an outright State title. Our CUTTERS shared the North Jersey, Section 1, Group III crown with the COMETS of Hackensack who represented the Northern New Jersey Interscholastic League (NNJIL).

Fair Lawn leads the 1947-54, 1983 and 2010-11 rivalry with Eastside 6-5 (.545). I look forward to the twelfth game being rescheduled for this weekend. Until then, GO GUTTERS GO!!!