Cosenza headed to Patriots
By Rick Eggleston
Staff Writer

FITCHBURG -- When Ray Cosenza found out he'd been selected
Massachusetts High School Football Coach of the Week by the
New England Patriots, he thought for sure somebody was
pulling a fast one on him.

However, it was no joke, as Cosenza received word from FHS
athletic director Doug Grutchfield that Patriots vice
president of player development and community affairs Don
Lowery called early Tuesday morning to inform him that his
accomplished coach had been selected to receive this week's
honor.

And why not? After all, Cosenza and his Red Raiders are
arguably coming off one of their biggest wins of the season
yet -- a resounding 28-14 road triumph over Eastern
Mass. force Brockton last Friday.

Naturally, the ever gracious and humble 12-year Fitchburg
head coach was extremely honored to be recognized.

"I was surprised,'' said Cosenza, who will travel to Foxboro
Stadium Thursday morning to receive a citation and accept a
$500 check in his name on behalf of the high school. "It's
really exciting. It's an award for the whole team -- it's
just as much the players and the (coaching) staff being
honored.''

Red Raiders have been on a roll

And rightly so, as under the steady leadership of Cosenza --
who's also the assistant principal at FHS -- the unbeaten
Raiders (5-0) are in the midst of one their finest seasons
in recent history.

Last Friday's emotional win over the previously undefeated
Boxers helped prove that, and so will another big win this
Friday when the Raiders play host to other Eastern
Mass. strength, Xaverian.

"It's quite a feat,'' said Cosenza. "It's been incredible
for us to win four out of five times (against Brockton) and
three in a row down there.''

The distinction by the Patriots is the first for Cosenza,
but is the second time a Central Mass. has been
recognized. Nashoba Regional head coach Ken Tucker received
the honor last season en route to leading the Chieftains to
a MIAA Super Bowl championship.

Nonetheless, Cosenza phoned Tucker for a little advice on
what might to expect Thursday.

"I guess Kenny met (then Patriots coach Pete) Carroll, and
was given the award after they taped the pregame show they
do with (Channel 5's) Mike Lynch,'' said Cosenza.

But with new Pats coach Bill Belichick now in control and
trying to complete one of the biggest turnarounds of a once
struggling NFL team, perhaps he and Cosenza can trade notes.

After all, it was Cosenza who nearly single-handedly put
Fitchburg back on the high school football map when he took
over the team back in 1988.

"Before (Cosenza) came here the program was very mediocre,''
said Grutchfield. "He's done an absolutely incredible job to
be able to compete with schools like Brockton and Xaverian
-- it's incredible.''

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