The Fair Lawn Cutters entered the 2018 football season with hopes of surpassing their previous 2017 record and earning some much-anticipated wins; however, despite some stand-out victories and a strong batch of young players, the Cutters’ season was not all they hoped it would be.

The program’s last winning season was in 2016, in which the Cutters finished with seven wins to only three losses. The team hoped to match the success they had two years ago. Instead, the Cutters finished the 2018 season with two wins to their six losses, and none in the conference play, falling short of their initial goal. Despite a dedicated set of seniors, strong coaching, and a good deal of talent, the Cutters were disappointed with their finish. Player experience seems to have played a role in this outcome.

“For most of the season we started players with little or no varsity experience. Including at times 7 out of 11 starters on defense were sophomores” said Robert Gentile, head coach of the Fair Lawn Cutters.

The team was fortunate enough to have a tough group of returning seniors including Fletcher Cavanagh, Brian Colca, Ben Cameron, Michael Lantigua, Jon Radice, Jon Laboy, Naazhir Neal, Dwon Peeples, Kyle Mileski, and Nick Ippolito. The experience and dedication of the senior class created a strong feeling of camaraderie going forward in the season. 

“We had great leadership, we had great seniors,” said John DiGiorgio, assistant coach of the Fair Lawn Cutters.

Next season, the team will be losing its seniors, but many strong underclassmen remain. Junior Kyle Irby-Mason has been a rock on the defensive side, and will continue to grow for his senior season. 

“To get better as a unit. Of course this would be my senior year so I want to go out good.” Said junior Kyle Irby-Mason.

The players on the team learned some valuable lessons while on and off the field. The team will look to bounce back and have a strong season next year. Coach Gentile believes the future to be bright for the Fair Lawn Cutters football program. 

“The expectation of every season is the same.  To be the best version of ourselves and work for that every single day,” said Gentille 

Banner credit: NJ Sports Media

Thumbnail credit: HUDL