Raiders back on winning track 
Saturday, October 20, 2001

By John McGuirk
CORRESPONDENT 

Fitchburg 19 Milford 8

FITCHBURG -- One victory may not completely erase the
disappointment of back-to-back tough defeats, but it win
certainly makes them less painful.
     Behind a strong second-half effort, the Fitchburg
football team snapped a four-game losing skid by upending
Division 1 foe Milford, 19-8, last night at Crocker Field.
     Coming off heartbreaking defeats against Brockton
(15-14) and Shrewsbury (32-31), the Red Raiders were looking
for anything positive to recapture some lost confidence.
What they got was some solid play from their defense and a
balanced offensive attack to beat the seventh-ranked team in
the Telegram & Gazette Top 10.
     Fitchburg (2-5, 1-3) scored 13 second-half points to
overcome an 8-6 deficit and roll to victory.
     I think the kids really needed this to learn that they
can win, Red Raider coach Ray Cosenza said. They didn't have
the confidence before to win close games. This was a great
team win that we needed badly.
     Fitchburg gained 151 yards offensively, having only
managed just 43 in the first half. Milford (3-3, 1-3) ran
through the Red Raiders in the first half, grabbing 188
yards. However, the Scarlet Hawks were virtually shut down
in the final 22 minutes, gaining just 33 yards.
     Our defense played tremendous, Cosenza said. The kids
really picked it up.  I'm really proud of their effort.
     Fitchburg opened the third quarter with freshman
William Early taking the kickoff 59 yards. That set up a
10-yard scoring pass from Brian Bouvier to Aaron Strom to
put the Red Raiders ahead to stay, 12-8.
     C.J. Jones' fumble recovery -- one of four Milford
turnovers -- late in the quarter set the stage for another
Red Raider score.
     A 19-yard run by Norman Cole keyed a five-play drive
before Cole bolted in from 1 yard out early in the fourth to
put Fitchburg ahead by 11.
     We just changed our whole attitude at halftime, Cosenza
said. We told the kids they had nothing to lose, let's start
smiling and having some fun. I think that's what they needed
to hear. They came out and played a tough second half.
     After taking the game's opening kickoff, Milford ate up
nearly seven minutes but came away empty. On their next
possession, however, the Scarlet Hawks capitalized thanks to
a 36-yard pass from Mike Plichta to Phil Brault. That gave
them a 6-0 lead with 1:55 to go in the period.
     The Red Raiders countered a shortly
thereafter. B.J. Fitz's interception was followed by an
Early 27-yard touchdown run that knotted the game, 6-6, with
9:39 showing in the second.
     However, Bouvier's conversion pass was picked off by
Antonio Cassasanta, who rumbled 100 yards to give Milford
two points and an 8-6 lead which would hold up until the
half.
     This was a great team win, Cosenza added. I think our
kids' true character came out tonight.

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