Super Bowl fills Fitchburg with pride
By Nick Mallard Posted: 12/05/2008 06:00:46 AM EST
FITCHBURG -- Fitchburg City Councilor Joel Kaddy remembers playing in the 1972 Super Bowl as a member of the Fitchburg High School football team, an event he called "an honor." "I was lucky enough to have played in the first Super Bowl with a team of exceptional athletes. I felt lucky to be there. It was an exciting time and I came away with a memory that has lasted a lifetime," Kaddy said. Kaddy said he remembered not only the game, but the "support the team received from the city" and hopes another group of Red Raiders will "end up with a once-in-a-lifetime memory." The Fitchburg High School football team is headed for the Central/Western Mass. Division 1 Super Bowl on Saturday. The Red Raiders overcame a 4-4 midseason record, reeling in four consecutive wins to earn a Super Bowl berth against Western Mass. juggernaut Longmeadow. The game will be held at 12:30 p.m. Saturday at Worcester State College. Fitchburg head football coach Ray Cosenza noted that the success of his team has an effect on the city, with residents showing pride in what the team has done. "We see a lot of support from the city all year long," Cosenza said. "I think people are proud that we have such a great tradition here. "People will see our players on the street and congratulate them for what they've done. I think the kids know how much people appreciate what they do." City Councilor at-large Marcus DiNatale, a Super Bowl champion with the undefeated Fitchburg team of 2001, said he believed that the team could overcome the task ahead of them "if the team works together." "They need to understand that if they follow the gameplan and stick together and follow the ball as a team, they can overcome any odds," DiNatale said. "The thing is, and I'm sure the coaches instill this in them, is that no game is too big." Outside of being a monumental football game, several local officials also commented on how simply making it to the Super Bowl reflects well on the players and the city of Fitchburg. "It's very exciting. I like to think we can place a lot of confidence in our youth and this is a terrific example of what the future of Fitchburg has in store," Fitchburg Superintendent Andre Ravenelle said. "I see them all as winners before they even step on the field," Ravenelle added. "A lot of these kids have overcome some real obstacles to get where they are, and I'm proud they made it this far." Wong said during her weekly news conference in City Hall that she's proud of the Fitchburg High School football team. "What a boost for our community," Wong said. "Especially during these tough economic times, it's key for our community to come together." Wong said the pride in Fitchburg's football team shows that "not everything requires money" and said she's impressed to see all the support from members in the community at the games. She urged everyone in the community to go to Worcester to cheer on the team Saturday and even predicted the team would fare "extremely well." "This is what our community is made of," she said. "It's something that embodies tradition and our community." Several city councilors agreed that an event such as the Super Bowl can help bring together a community. "It's great for the community," Ward 4 City Councilor Kevin Starr said. "To do something like this is incredible and a ton of credit goes to the kids. With all the negativity around right now, it's nice to have a good story coming out of Fitchburg." Starr, a former member of the Red Raider football team, pointed out that regardless of what happens in the game, the Fitchburg players should be proud of what they've already accomplished and how they got to where they are. "It shows a lot of character for a team like this to take on a team like Brockton and other Eastern Mass. powerhouses (during the season)," Starr said. "You don't see many teams doing that, other than Fitchburg or Leominster, and to have that in your schedule and still make it this far is very impressive." Just as impressive as what the team has done, has been how the team has come together and overcome adversity, Ward 1 City Councilor David Clark said. "I'm impressed with how the team has seemed to mature over the season," Clark said. "Getting the win on Thanksgiving Day (against Leominster) without any penalties really impressed me. They seemed to struggle with that early in the season and it shows some maturity now." Clark added that "the team is a reflection of the high school and they should be proud." Come Saturday, the Red Raiders are hoping to pull off a victory to bring added pride to Fitchburg. Win or lose, however, they'll have the support of the local community. "Whatever happens on the field, win or lose, the kids are still winners in my eyes, and this city will be proud of them," Ravenelle said. Sentinel & Enterprise reporters Brandon Butler and Shauna Staveley contributed to this story.
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