Here come the Red Raiders
By Ross Edwards
Article Launched: 09/07/2007 10:05:31 AM EDT

Fitchburg: This is the year Fitchburg football fans have been waiting
for.

The highly talented Class of 2008 finally enters its senior season,
backed by the experience of several key three-year starters.

Included among that group are quarterback Jeremy Kimber, running back
Jon Gomez, fullback Matt Fraticelli, wide receiver Josh Less and tight
end Tim Douglas. With so many athletes at the skilled positions
hitting their prime at once, Fitchburg is expected to become a force
offensively.

"I think every season has that excitement -- a new season," said
Fitchburg coach Ray Cosenza. "The expectations here are always high,
but this group has played quite a bit so they know what to expect
... They're excited. They realize we've struggled the last few years
and they want to turn this around."

Kimber is a consummate athlete. A gifted quarterback with a great arm
and quick legs, the lefty is also known as being an incredibly
intelligent field general, capable of exploiting opponents'
weaknesses. It doesn't hurt matters that he has the speedy Less and
supremely athletic junior Orlando Anderson to throw to at the receiver
positions.

"The main thing with Jeremy is he's such a calming influence on
everyone," explained Cosenza. "Even when he was a sophomore, I was
amazed at how nothing ever rattled him."

While Kimber has continued to mature and improve over the past couple
of seasons, fellow three-year varsity starters Gomez and Fraticelli
have followed suit. It's hard

to believe some people once labeled Gomez as a back who was too easy
to drag down, but that's how far he's come since his first varsity
start.  Gomez ran all over rival Leominster on Thanksgiving Day last
season, piling up 170 yards and Fitchburg's only score. The Red
Raiders still lost the contest, 34-6.

"He really had a great year," said Cosenza of Gomez. "We had some
injuries in the offensive line, we weren't in sync all the time, but
Jonny's effort and the types of things he did were solid all year. And
Matt had a great year for us too.

The success of the Fitchburg backfield is also due in no small part to
the strength of the team's offensive line. The likes of Nick McNamara,
Keith Bourne and Shane Haase should continue to open up big holes for
the skilled backs this season.

Defensively, Fitchburg should be led up front by Steve Silvar, Eric
Diaz, Manny Guerrero, Ryan Robar and Jon Fraticelli. Chris Cormier and
Eric Dion will return as defensive backs.

The Red Raiders will be tested early with a contest at home against
Gardner tonight. There's no relief from there, either, as Fitchburg
will face plenty of competition in the Division 1 North league.

Despite the talent of the opposition, the Fitchburg faithful have high
hopes for this season. Cosenza would only predict that time will tell,
but said that his players have worked hard enough over the past three
years to deserve the success some fans are predicting.

"They are great kids," said Cosenza. "They've worked very hard and
they've stayed together through some tough times. For their sake, I'd
like to see them do well."



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