Fitchburg looks to reclaim rivalry
By Shauna Staveley
Posted: 11/26/2008 06:06:25 AM EST
Fitchburg High School football coach Ray Cosenza heads into his 20th
Thanksgiving game against Leominster with a thick-skinned group of Red
Raiders who survived a seesaw season.

"It's been up and down," Cosenza said. "We obviously came out and had
a great start, winning our first four. Then we went through a stretch
where we lost four. That was tough to take. We seem to have recovered
after winning our last two, with momentum to carry us into
Thanksgiving."

The Red Raiders kept playoff hopes alive with a crucial 21-14 win
against fellow Division 1 North opponent Wachusett Regional in Week 9,
and a convincing 36-8 victory against Marlborough on Week 10. This
puts them at 1-1 in the league, a game behind Wachusett Regional (2-1)
and a game ahead of St. John's (1-2).

"The league games are always the biggest," Cosenza said. "They mean
the most, (such as) St. John's, Wachusett. I mean, every game has
meaning, and at times we've risen to the occasion -- for instance, at
the Wachusett game -- and at times we have not played well. I hope
that is behind us now."

Combine Fitchburg's effort with a shocking 20-13 Leominster victory
against St. Johns in Week 9 and a 40-14 shellacking of Milford by the
Blue Devils in Week 10, and you have two longtime rivals, as well as
6-4 (1-1 league) squads, battling for a postseason opportunity
tomorrow.

"I think at 6-4, we're both fortunate to still be in the hunt,"
Cosenza said. "That's what happens when league championships
Advertisement Quantcast decide the playoffs. With our schedule and
Leominster's schedule, we don't apologize for still being in it. You
don't need anything to add more meaning to this game. Whether we're
both 10-0 or 0-10, the intensity that comes with this game is
unmatched in any other league."

Several Red Raiders led the way this season, according to Cosenza:
senior offensive and defensive lineman Keith Bourne, senior linebacker
and guard Ryan Robar, senior running back and defensive back Greg
Mendez and sophomore receiver and defensive back Quinton Perkins.

Mendez, according to Cosenza, broke the 1,100-yard rushing mark this
season in nine games. He had a 22-carry, 270-yard game against
Wachusett.

"I think any time you have a back that has that much yardage, a lot of
credit goes to the people in front of him, and Greg is the first one
who will admit that," Cosenza said. "When our offensive line has done
well, Greg has taken advantage and gone for big yards. There have been
other times where he made big yards on his own, finding a way to beat
people. A large amount of credit goes to the offensive line, but Greg
is able to do things at times when the blocks weren't there."

Cosenza said Mendez is about 5-foot-7, and "probably 160 pounds,"
making his accomplishments at running back seem even more impressive.

"He's very strong for his size and he is very fast," Cosenza
said. "It's because he worked so hard in the offseason to get himself
in that type of condition."

Offensive lineman Keith Bourne is on the opposite side of the size
spectrum. He is 6-foot-5, and weighs 280 pounds, according to the Red
Raider football program.

"He's gotten some scholarship offers," Cosenza said. "He will have a
great career once he leaves here."

Quinton Perkins, meanwhile, is setting himself up for a great career
in red and gray. The 6-foot-tall, 160-pound wideout still has two more
years in a Red Raider uniform, and Cosenza is impressed by what he
sees thus far.

"He's just a special player," Cosenza said. "He has great ability, he
loves to play. He practices hard every day, so he has a lot of great
football ahead of him. He's done a great job for us this year."

All of the Red Raiders must play a disciplined game to give themselves
a chance against Leominster on Thursday, according to Cosenza. The Red
Raider offense must also be patient and efficient.

"I think we have to keep their offense off the field, that's first and
foremost," Cosenza said. "If we can control the ball and eat up the
clock, that's obviously in our favor. Thanksgiving usually comes down
to the team that executes and has the fewest penalties and
turnovers. That team usually comes out on top. These teams are very
evenly matched, so penalties, turnovers and execution will be key."

As for what Blue Devil athletes the Red Raiders will focus on, Cosenza
shied away from specifics.

"I think they have many threats, so we can't just focus on one guy,"
Cosenza said. "It all starts with their quarterback (Pat O'Connor), he
is the key to their offensive success. We've got to prevent him from
having big plays, but that's hard to do with such a great
player. Their receiver (Jared Wilbon), he's another big player. He had
two big touchdown catches against St. John's and is always there when
they need something. But, again, we can't just focus on those two."

No matter what the strategy, Cosenza said he's happy to coach the Red
Raiders in the 125th Thanksgiving Day game against Leominster, played
at Doyle Field at 10 a.m.

"It's just special," Cosenza said. It's really an honor to be involved
with it. This is my 20th year and it never gets old. It's a game like
no other. It's pretty special to be involved with it."

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