PLAYOFF FINALS IN FLHS GRIDIRON HISTORY - 2013

 

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 and in seeding Consolation Games.

In 1980 Pete Natale’s CUTTERS shared the Northern New Jersey Interscholastic League (NNJIL) title with the FIGHTING MUSTANGS of Clifton High and the HORNETS of Passaic Valley. They beat the HORNETS 7-6 during the season but were beaten 20-7 by the FIGHTING MUSTANGS who in turn were beaten by the HORNETS. The tri-champions all had 8-1 (.889) NNJIL records. In the opening round of the States in North Jersey, Section 1, Group IV action, the CUTTERS played one of the most exciting games in their history. Trailing the INDIANS of Passaic and the Passaic Valley Conference (PVC) 7-0, 12-0, 12-7 and 18-7 at GIANTS STADIUM they roared back to win a 27-18 thriller. In the finals at GIANTS STADIUM, the HORNETS of Passaic Valley avenged the regular season loss with a 20-0 championship shut out victory. Those 1980 CUTTERS were the first team in FLHS history to win 9 games, going 9-2 (.818).  The others were Natale’s 1985 and 87 Northern Bergen Interscholastic League (NBIL) Division 1 champion and playoff bound CUTTERS who went 9-1 (.900).

THE GRIDIRON 13-2013

 

By Dick Engelhardt 

In State Playoff Semi-Final and Thanksgiving Day action, Fair Lawn fans had plenty of rooting interests. In North Jersey, Section 1, Group V I saw Fair Lawn’s Big North Conference (BNC) Liberty Division eliminated from the playoffs as its champion BULLDOGS of Passaic County Technical Institute were beaten 31-7 by the MAROONS of Ridgewood who were Fair Lawn’s Thanksgiving foe 1944-83, taking the Annual Classic 26-11-3 (.703).

In Group IV the INDIANS of Pascack Valley beat the HIGHLANDERS of Northern Highlands 39-7. PV Coach Craig Nielsen was an assistant at Fair Lawn under Pete Natale 1980-85. Pascack Valley took the 1955-56, 1984-85 and 1988-2008 Northern Bergen Interscholastic League (NBIL) rivalry with Fair Lawn 14-10-1 (.583). Popular former Fair Lawn announcer Joe Hausmann is the Northern Highlands announcer. My twin brother, Bill, and I were his “spotters” for many years before I became “The Voice of the CUTTERS on the Gridiron” in 1997. Fair Lawn took the 1986-93 and 1998–2008 NBIL rivalry against the HIGHLANDERS 10-9 (.526). The SPARTANS of Paramus edged the GOLDEN KNIGHTS of Northern   Valley, Old Tappan 17-16. During 1962-83 and 2010-11 in Northern New Jersey Interscholastic League (NNJIL) and BNC action, the SPARTANS have gone 14-10 (.583) against our CUTTERS. Fair Lawn took the 1984–2008 NBIL rivalry against the GOLDEN KNIGHTS 15–10 (.600). 

In Group III I saw the GREEN RAIDERS of Ramapo get beaten 46-14 by the SPARTANS of Sparta. Ramapo Coach Drew Gibbs is a class act and his son, Brian is on Amir Saadah’s Fair Lawn staff. Ramapo took the 1956-58 and 1984-2008 NBIL rivalry with Fair Lawn 17-11 (.607). The GOLDEN HAWKS of River Dell surprised the THUNDERBIRDS of Mahwah 38-13. In independent action in 1958 River Dell, with Bill Parcells at running back/QB, beat our CUTTERS 26-13. During 1999-2001 and 2007-2008 our CUTTERS have gone 4-1 (.800) over the THUNDERBIRDS in NBIL interdivisional action.

  

In Group II the CARDINALS of Westwood beat the BRAVES of Newton 63-12. During 1943-44 independently and 1984-85 in NBIL interdivisional action, our CUTTERS went 3-1 (.750) against the CARDINALS. Westwood Coach Vito Campanile grew up in Fair Lawn and was an assistant coach here under Greg Tanzer. In Section 2, the RAMS of Lodi were scalped 43-6 by the CHIEFS of Caldwell. Coach Marty Fischbein’s brand new Fair Lawn team was edged 7-6 by Lodi in 1943 in JV action in the first game ever played by the team that became the CUTTERS after game 3. During 1964-66 Coaches Ed Sheehy and Frank Devens’ CUTTERS went 3-0 over Lodi. 

In Group I the CARDINALS of Pompton Lakes walloped the HILLBILLIES of Verona 47-7. During 1945-50 Charlie Benson’s CARDINALS and Frank Bennett’s CUTTERS split their rivalry 3-3 (.500).

On Thanksgiving Day Fair Lawn’s BNC Liberty Division went 2-0 against outside opposition. The FIGHTING MUSTANGS of Clifton High beat the INDIANS of Passaic 21-6 taking a 44-36-5 (.550) lead in the overall rivalry that began in 1923. The GHOSTS of Paterson Eastside beat the KNIGHTS of JFK 14-8 taking a 43-39-7 (.524) lead in the rivalry that began in 1925 when Eastside was brand new and JFK was Paterson Central. Most Fair Lawn students went to Eastside before FLHS opened in 1943. The Division would up 10-17 (.370) against outside foes.

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

THE GRIDIRON 12–2013

 

THANKSGIVING DAY MEMORIES

By Dick Engelhardt

 The 2013 football season, the 71st since Fair Lawn High School opened September 13^th, 1943, is the fifth 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 and playoff games of interest to Fair Lawn fans. Until then, GO CUTTERS GO!!!

THE GRIDIRON: TURKEY DAY IN FLHS HISTORY

 

By Dick Engelhardt

1943 – Marty Fischbein’s brand new CUTTERS shutout the TERRIERS of Holy Trinity High of Westfield 19-0. The Annual Classic with the MAROONS of Ridgewood began in 1944.

1953 – Frank Bennett’s CUTTERS beat the MAROONS of Ridgewood 26-6 taking the Bergen-Passaic Interscholastic League (B-PIL) title. The team featured running back Dave Sime who became “The World’s Fastest Human,” and shared the North Jersey, Section 1, Group III title with the COMETS of Hackensack! Ridgewood led the Annual Classic 6-4 (.600).

1963 – Ed Sheehy’s CUTTERS, playing right after the November 22^nd assassination of President John F. Kennedy, beat Ridgewood 19-13 in Northern New Jersey Interscholastic League (NNJIL) action. Ridgewood led the Annual Classic 12-7-1 (.632).

1973 – Al Reinoso’s CUTTERS were beaten 26-18 by the MAROONS in NNJIL action. Ridgewood led the series 19-9-2 (.679).

1983 – Pete Natale’s CUTTERS were beaten 20-7 by the MAROONS in the first game played at Ridgewood since 1963. The 1964-82 games were all at what is now SASSO FIELD. It turned out to be the last in the Annual Classic and Fair Lawn’s last game in the NNJIL as, in 1984, our CUTTERS returned to the Northern Bergen Interscholastic League (NBIL), which Fair Lawn and Ridgewood had left in 1959. Ridgewood took the 1944-83 Turkey Day rivalry 26-11-3 (.703). 

1993 – Mike Alberque’s CUTTERS were thrashed 55-14 by the PATRIOTS of Wayne Hills in NBIL Division 1 action. The 1984-93 Thanksgiving rivalry would up 5-5 (.500) but Wayne Hills took the overall 1984-2009 rivalry 20-5 (.800). Fair Lawn’s last victory was 35-8 in 1989.   

2003 – Mike Alberque’s CUTTERS beat the BEARS of Bergenfield 42-27 in NBIL Division 1 action. Fair Lawn took the overall 1945-48 and 1962-2008 series 35-16 (.686) and the 1994-2008 Thanksgiving rivalry 11-4 (.733). State mandated realignment ended the 51 season rivalry that remains the longest in Fair Lawn or Bergenfield football history.      

Fair Lawn’s 1943-2008 Thanksgiving Day games ended as more and more Turkey Day Games were dropped because of realignment and the State preference given playoff games. Our CUTTERS went 28-35-3 (.444) in those 66 seasons going 1-0 (1.00) against Holy Trinity in 1943, 11-26-3 (.297) against Ridgewood 1944-83, 5-5 (.500) against Wayne Hills 1984-93 and 11-4 (.733) against Bergenfield 1994-2008.

SECOND ROUND PLAYOFF ACTION IN FLHS GRIDIRON HISTORY - 2013

 

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 1980 Pete Natale’s CUTTERS shared the Northern New Jersey Interscholastic League (NNJIL) title with the FIGHTING MUSTANGS of Clifton High and the HORNETS of Passaic Valley. Having come from behind to beat the INDIANS of Passaic 27-18 at GIANTS STADIUM in the 1^st round, Fair Lawn faced PV in the final. Joe Biscaha’s HORNETS shut our CUTTERS out 20-0. Biscaha had played for the NY GIANTS. 

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 1^st 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 1^st 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.