Explosive offenses highlight Super Bowl
By Chuck Sargent
Posted: 12/08/2008 06:06:11 AM EST

WORCESTER -- Defense, they say, wins championships.

Of course, an unstoppable offense never hurt, either.

And that's just what the Lancers used en route to their 35-21 victory
over Fitchburg in Sunday's Central/Western Super Bowl at John
F. Coughlin Field, amassing 432 yards of total offense.

Leading the way for Longmeadow was senior running back Alex Scyocurka,
who rushed for 225 yards on 30 carries. Not to be outdone, teammate
Niko Sierra added 142 yards on 17 carries to help lead the Lancers'
charge.

"They're both very good," said Fitchburg coach Ray Cosenza. "They were
obviously the difference, those two guys. But we knew that coming
in. We knew we'd have to try to contain them and they made some big
plays when they had to."

The Red Raiders offense was also impressive, albeit in
defeat. Fitchburg amassed 317 yards of total offense, led by the 180
rushing yards of senior running back Greg Mendez.

"That's Superman right there," said quarterback Kyle Phillips. "He's a
great player. This is his senior year and he worked his (butt) off,
broke tackles and got into the end zone the best way he could."

Of course, without a solid offensive line, Mendez' efforts would have
gone for not. Seniors Ryan Robar, Keith Bourne and Mike Alverez, along
with juniors Jamison DiGeronimo and German Nunez opened up holes for
Mendez all day.

"We've got to protect our boy," Robar said of Mendez. "He takes care
of us, we take care of him."

And the

blocking of the offensive line was effective not just on the running
game but the passing game as well. The Red Raiders went to the air a
little more often than usual, and the line gave Phillips time to
throw. Phillips responded by completing 7 of 19 passes for 134
yards. Those totals may have been even higher were it not for a few
dropped balls from receivers.

"That happens," Cosenza said. "We had guys open but that's part of the
game. Our kids are trying their hardest and doing the best they can
and we just didn't make enough plays."

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