THE GRIDIRON 11 - 2015

 

By Dick Engelhardt 

Last weekenThe CUTTERS of Fair Lawn High took the KNIGHTS of JFK of Paterson into overtime in Big North Conference (BNC) crossover action last week before losing a heart breaker 38-32. Captains Dominick Barbarula, Sefa Basci, Tarron Douglas and Mike Laboy went out for the coin toss and Fair Lawn received. Tyler Johnson returned the kickoff to the 45 and Fair Lawn moved the ball well. A Johnson TD run was nullified by a penalty but, not to worry. Tyler Pollack’s 17 yard TD run had our heroes up 6-0. Bradley Ramirez’ 2 point conversion run made it 8-0. The KNIGHTS came right back to make it 8-6 where it stayed as Gal Harari stuffed the 2 point conversion run. A counter play with QB Barbarula handing off to Ramirez who handed off to Johnson moved the ball to the 4. Barbarula sneaked in for a TD and Barbarulo’s 2 point conversion pass to Johnson had our CUTTERS up 16-6. The KNIGHTS came back again and made it 16-12 where it stayed as a host of CUTTERS led by Aaron Gutierrez stuffed the 2 point conversion try. Ramirez’s 22 yard TD scamper and 2 point conversion run had our CUTTERS up 24-12 at the half.

In the 2nd half, the KNIGHTS closed to 24-18 and their extra point kick failed. Ramirez’s 9 yard TD and 2 point conversion runs put Fair Lawn up 32-18. The KNIGHTS came back to tie the score at 11:42 in the 4th quarter and the teams traded punches the rest of the way. Tobe intercepted a pass and ran it back to the 39 and sacked the QB on 4th down. Ramirez picked off 2 passes. Jon Fochesato stuffed a run on 4th down top give Fair Lawn the ball. Ryan Rue boomed a punt to the 2 where Tobe downed it. Great defensive plays were also made by Lucky Abernathy, Robert Figueroa and others.

With the game postponed because of darkness, the overtime was played Sunday afternoon using the college and high school overtime rules with each team getting the ball on the opposition’s 25 yard line. Captains Barbarula, Basi, Douglas and LaBoy went out for the coin toss and Kennedy got the first crack at it. Great defensive plays by Barbarulo, Gutierrez, Harari, Johnson, Laboy, Rue and others stopped the Knights but despite runs by Johnson, Pollack and Ramirez, Fair Lawn couldn’t score. The KNIGHTS’ 5 yard TD run ended the game 38-32. JFK tied the all time series between Fair Lawn and Kennedy and its predecessor, Paterson Central at 8-8 (.500).     

In pre-game ceremonies the senior football players and cheerleaders and their escorts were recognized. We wish them all the best as they finish their careers at Fair Lawn High. The FLHS Varsity Cheerleaders, coached by Melissa McInerny, and JV Cheerleaders, coached by Melissa Maneri and Kara Popadics, were great at halftime as was the Dance Team coached by Jen Bell and former New York Jets Flight Crew Cheerleader, Christie Malyso. Former Fair Lawn Coach (2007-10) Stan Myles was at the game and was welcomed back!  

Fair Lawn’s BNC Liberty Division went 1-3 (.250) against outside opposition. In addition to Fair Lawn’s loss, the FIGHTING MUSTANGS of Clifton High led 10-7 at halftime but were beaten 33-24 by the COMETS of Hackensack and the GHOSTS of Paterson Eastside were stung 10-0 by the HORNETS of Passaic Valley while the champion BULLDOGS of Passaic County Technical Institute shutout the LANCERS of Lakeland 35-0. The BNC Liberty Division record against outside foes is 9-13 (.409) so far.

This Saturday at 1:00 at SASSO FIELD, our CUTTERS will host the MINUTEMEN of West Morris Mendham in a Consolation Game, Fair Lawn is 8-7 (.533) in these games since they began in 1998. Fair Lawn is 2-7 (.222) and has been outscored 275-147 for an average 31-16 loss. West Morris Mendham is 3-6 (.333) and has been outscored 206-185 for an average 23-21 loss. Hoping to get healthy, our CUTTERS will go all out to end the season with a win. From here it looks like Fair Lawn 21 – West Morris Mendham 20. GO   CUTTERS GO!!!