Like it or not, Fitchburg High's Twomley is in the spotlight
Senior left-handed QB key to Red Raiders' success
 By Chad Garner

 Staff Writer

 FITCHBURG -- Fitchburg High senior quarterback Jason
Twomley doesn't like the spotlight, but it's hard to shy
away from it.

 As the undefeated Red Raiders embark on their biggest
obstacle of the season, hosting eastern Mass. powerhouse
Xaverian, tonight at 7 p.m., all eyes will be on Twomley,
who has been a major key in Fitchburg's unblemished 5-0
start.

For the left-handed tri-captain, it's a game he's been
waiting for his whole career, "A lot of people look to the
quarterback in big games," said the six-foot, 200-pound
Twomley. "If the quarterback isn't focused and getting the
job done, it's going to be tough for the team. Big games
like this is what you dream of -- all eyes on you, going out
and putting on a show. Having all eyes on me is more
fun. More eyes on me gives me an opportunity to show people
what I can do.  The more added pressure on me, the more I'm
going to like it and the more fun I'm going to have with
it."

Twomley, who adds to an explosive rushing attack along with
senior tailback Frank McDonald and junior fullback Norman
Cole, knows this game is an opportunity to show people what
he can do -- not only running the football but throwing it
as well.

"I'm sure a lot of people are wondering if I can get the job
done," said Twomley. "I feel confident that I can get it
done. I'm going to go out and get the job done. I'm going to
go out and play the game the way I've always played it --
going hard, pumping and grinding."

This lefty isn't your typical quarterback, however. Twomley
just doesn't hand the ball off to his running backs, he also
does his fair share of breaking through the line via the Red
Raiders' patented QB keeper plays.

In five games, Twomley has carried the pigskin 53 times for
a whopping 361 yards and has scored six touchdowns. Although
the Red Raiders would rather run the ball down the
opposition's throat, Twomley has also been given a chance to
throw the ball a maximum of four times a game -- firing for
200 yards on the season with 100 yards coming last week
against Brockton in Fitchburg's decisive 28-14 victory.

"He's as dangerous of a quarterback as we've every had here
running the football," said 12-year Fitchburg coach Ray
Cosenza. "He has the ability to throw even though we don't
do a lot of it. He just provides us with the full
package. As a runner he's like a halfback. He's strong, he's
fast, he's tough.

"When you have a quarterback like that it's like having an
extra back -- you don't get that all the time," he
continued. "He has a strong arm so people have to respect
the deep ball, he has a good touch on screen passes ... it
really forces the defense to cover the whole field. He's a
big part of why we're 5-0 right now."

A key confidence booster for Twomley and the Red Raiders
came last season when the team opened the season with a 1-4
record. But with a never-say-die attitude, Twomley
orchestrated the Red Raiders on a six-game winning streak to
finish the season with a respectable 7-4 record.

For Twomley, every time his number is called either running
or passing, he's looking for big play to help led his team
to victory.

"I feel better with my running game because we're a running
team," explained Twomley. "Being able to have the quickness
and the speed obviously helps you out because it make the
defense be on their toes. If I get a play that is going to
me I'm looking for six (points) -- I not settling for
anything less. I'm always looking for paydirt."

The question still remains: Can the Red Raiders knock off
another eastern Mass. powerhouse for the second time in as
many games? Twomley honestly believes they can.

" I think we can. If we do it I'm sure it's going to turn a
lot of heads," he said. "Never playing (Xaverian) before we
have nothing to lose and everything to gain. It's going out
playing football, having fun and trying to pull off what
other people call an upset. I wouldn't consider it an
upset."

Regardless of what happens versus Xaverian, Twomley wouldn't
trade this season for anything in the world.

"Going out there, strapping the shoulder pads on and putting
on the red helmet is a great feeling," ended Twomley. "(This
season) has been unbelievable. As of now I couldn't have
asked for anything better. I've got a great group of kids
that are on my team and I couldn't be any happier.  We have
the talent, we have the people and we have the personnel to
go out and win a hampionship."
                                                                    
                                                                               
  

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