By DARREN COOPER
RECORD COLUMNIST

TYSON TRISH/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

My shoes tell the best story of the fall.

Blake Buffa,10, a fifth-grader from Ho-Ho-Kus whose family has been at the heart of creating the Go4TheGoal Foundation, which raises money for helping kids with Pediatric Cancer. In September, soccer teams all over North Jersey wore neon green shoelaces in support of the cause.

This was the season in which Don Bosco won it all, people ask you for a re-tweet and you know what they mean, and everyone has an opinion about what Wayne Hills coach Chris Olsen should have done.

There are two stories that stick out to me this fall. The first was about neon green shoelaces that just about every athlete in North Jersey wore. They were to represent pediatric cancer, a cause that has hit close to home for several area families.

After my story came out, Beth Stefanacci, part of the Go4theGoal foundation that came up with the idea for the laces, asked me if there was anything else she could do. I said I wanted two pairs of laces. Sure thing, she laughed.

I wore those laces — I gave the other pair to photographer Tyson Trish of The Record — for many an early-morning jog where their glow was the only thing visible as the sun rose. I wore the laces to soccer games, field hockey games, volleyball matches, more than one football game, and I wasn’t the only one. It was like a brotherhood (and sisterhood) of neon and I was proud to represent.

The other story on St. Mary senior Meg Macaluso continues to develop. The first thing I think about with that story is her twin sister, Melissa, and what it must be like for her to see her sister going through this battle with cancer. The good news is Meg continues to respond well, and just maybe she will swing a bat this spring for the Gaels.

I can tell you where I was when I heard about Tyler Vitiello from Saddle Brook, and how #staystrong34 became more than just a hashtag. Tyler surprised his teammates at the team banquet last week. That looks like a story with a happy ending.

I remember walking onto the Old Tappan football field to watch practice with a coach from the University of Nebraska, we were both there to watch Devin Fuller.

There was the night in Florida. I can tell you it was hot. I wish I could show you how hot it was, I think my teeth were sweating. Yet somehow Don Bosco pulled out a victory in front of a fired-up crowd. Bergen Catholic nearly did the same. By the way, both Manatee (Bosco’s opponent) and Plant (Bergen’s) are playing for state titles this weekend.

I had the chance to run with Eastern Christian senior Kristen Traub and talk about what makes runners tick.

I got to see Ryan Walsh get the goal of his life for Old Tappan in the Bergen County boys soccer final, and I got to see Northern Highlands’ Jackie Reyneke score a goal — on a throw-in no less.
Thursday night, I got to present the first athlete of the season award to Lexi Knief of Ramsey at the BCWCA dinner. She seemed surprised. I said, “Who could possibly top scoring a game-winning goal in overtime to win a state championship?”

I saw democracy in action at the NJSIAA full membership meeting where majority didn’t win.

I took pictures of a cross-country meet in October ... in a blizzard and waited patiently for Ben Malone at the finish line.

I talked to a real-life legend in Tenafly’s Ken Miller as he and members of his 1962 team were honored on Thanksgiving for their perfect season. This area has a great history and it’s one I fear we are losing.

I witnessed the Immaculate Heart Academy volleyball team lose its best hitter, but still become Tournament of Champions winners.

I saw the “Hail, St. Jude” for North Bergen. No one could have scripted a better ending for Bruins football coach Vin Ascolese.

They are actually writing a script about Old Tappan’s 1979 football team. I heard from the coach of that team, Bill Medea, who said every year, even though his team wasn’t winning, he finished the season with more players than he started. Think about that for a minute.

I marveled at the athleticism of Jabrill Peppers (and how quickly after a game he could post on Twitter). I wondered about the complexities of River Dell football coach DJ Nimphius’ offense and whether anyone could smile any broader than Ariana North at the finish line.

Her shoes carried her faster than almost anyone else. My shoes, with my laces, carried me plenty of places I will not soon forget.

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