Red Raiders snap long losing skid
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Mendez runs wild for 289 yards
By Kevin O’Malley CORRESPONDENT


FITCHBURG- After losing four straight games for the first time in his
coaching career, Ray Cosenza and the Fitchburg High football team
rebounded for a 21-14 victory over third-ranked Wachusett last night
at Crocker Field.

Fitchburg improved to 5-4, 1-1 in Division 1 North, while Wachusett
dropped to 7-2 and 1-1.

"After four losses - we've never in the 20 years I've been here lost
four in a row - we really came together, Cosenza said. "After losing
four in a row, they responded very well."


Senior tailback Greg Mendez led the way for the Red Raiders, rolling
up 289 yards on 22 carries with a pair of touchdowns.

"He's been a horse all year," Cosenza said. "He's worked so hard, and
he waited his turn to carry the ball. He's just always worked, and I'm
thrilled for him. Boy, the way he responded is unbelievable. Our
offensive line was a big part of that, for him to run for that many
yards, our O-line did a great job."

The 5-foot-6, 155-pound Mendez was also quick to share the credit with
the big bodies up front that paved the way for him to run wild.

"The week coming up to this game we had our best practices all year,
and everybody was really focused," Mendez said. "We knew how big this
game was. My line just did all the work and even the wide receivers
blocked and made holes for me today.

Wachusett drew first blood, scoring on a 43-yard Matt Pedone run less
than two minutes in.

Mendez broke free for a 65-yard score in the final two minutes of the
first half to tie the game. Mendez added another long run to open the
second half, but dropped the ball inside the 5-yard line.

Wachusett took full advantage, marching 99 yards on 11 plays to take a
14-7 lead. Cam Brigham (23 carries, 161 yards) shouldered the load for
Wachusett, carrying the ball nine times for 97 yards during the drive.

Fitchburg sophomore quarterback Kyle Phillips guided the Red Raiders
down field on the ensuing possession, capping a nine-play drive with a
1-yard keeper to tie the game at 14 headed into the final quarter.

Phillips also completed both his pass attempts in the drive,
connecting with Quinton Perkins for a clutch, third-down conversion
and hitting Orlando Anderson with a 36-yard strike on fourth-and-18 to
bring the ball to the 1.

The Red Raiders took their first lead of the game with six minutes to
play in the game after Mendez broke free again, this time rambling for
a 25-yard score.

"He's a good runner, and they block well. There are no slouches in
Division 1, Wachusett" coach Mike Dubzinski said. "The bottom line is
they made more plays than we did."


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