Fitchburg is ready for playoffs
By Shauna Staveley Posted: 12/02/2008 06:06:05 AM EST
Fitchburg got over one hump this season, defeating Leominster on Thanksgiving for the first time in five years. Today, the Red Raiders can get over a second when they take on Shrewsbury, a team that defeated them 24-21 on a 39-yard field goal by Paul Tizzano in the Central/Western Mass. Division 1A playoffs a year ago. Shrewsbury eventually won the Super Bowl by defeating Westfield, 21-17, and the Colonials ended the season at 13-0. "It was a great game," Fitchburg coach Ray Cosenza said. "They were just three points better." Fitchburg plays Shrewsbury today in the Central/Western Mass. Division 1 playoffs at 7:45 p.m. at Oakmont Regional High School. Fitchburg finished 9-3 in 2007, having lost to Leominster, 14-13, before losing to Shrewsbury. The Red Raiders tore through their schedule last season, boasting stars such as Jeremy Kimber at quarterback and Johnny Gomez at running back. This year was quite different for the 7-4 Red Raiders. The team started off strong, but then lost four straight games to Brockton, Milford, St. John's and Algonquin Regional. Fitchburg staved off playoff elimination by defeating Wachusett Regional, 21-36, blowing out Malborough 36-8, and beating Leominster in overtime, 20-17. "I think from a psychological point, it was different," Cosenza said. "For us, coming off that tough loss (last year to Leominster), I think it took us a while to get going and we just didn't have it. Hopefully, this year we're Advertisement Click here to find out more! Quantcast going to use the momentum from Thanksgiving and the last three games and hopefully get off to a great start." The Thanksgiving win last Thursday snapped a tie with Leominster in Division 1 North play, sending the Blue Devils packing for the season. "I'm really happy for our kids," Cosenza said. "They had to overcome a lot. At 4-4 at one time, you don't really think about the playoffs. For them to accomplish this, it's awesome for them and our program. We're thrilled to be one of 12 teams still playing in Central Mass." The Red Raiders won't be trying to fool anyone offensively today. They're a run-heavy team, relying on running back Greg Mendez for 20-plus carries a game. Mendez played huge against Leominster, rushing for two touchdowns and 155 yards on 26 carries, including the game-winning score in overtime. He also rushed for 270 yards against Wachusett. Give credit to the offensive line, with players such as Keith Bourne and Ryan Robar opening gaping holes for the 5-foot-6, 155-pound back. "We're not going to change anything," Cosenza said. "We're going to try and run the football and establish the running game, and then we're going to get the ball into the skill guys' hands as much as we can, whether it's (receivers Quinton) Perkins or (Orlando) Anderson. I think the key is, if we can control the ball and keep them off the field, that's obviously in our favor." As for the defense, Cosenza said the big guys have to step up. "I think, like every game, we have to stop the run first," Cosenza said. "That's a lot of pressure on our front four, and Ryan Robar and (Noah) Marceau, our middle linebackers. If they play well, we can force them into second-and-long, third-and-long, and that's obviously an advantage for us." Fitchburg won't have to travel very far for this playoff game, as Oakmont Regional is about 15 minutes away from Crocker Field. "We're looking forward to a challenge against a great team, fairly close to home," Cosenza said. "We're looking forward to a great game. I think it's two pretty evenly matched teams, they had a great year and we played them last year in the same game." The winner of today's game plays the winner of Longmeadow versus Holyoke, which will be played at 7:30 p.m. in Westfield.
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