Fitchburg's big win a milestone for coach
By Sean Sweeney, Correspondent
Posted: 09/26/2009 07:02:13 AM EDT


SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE FILE PHOTO
 Fitchburg football coach Ray Cosenza.

FITCHBURG -- For those fans who like defense in football, the place to
be Friday night was historic Crocker Field.

The defenses of Fitchburg and visiting St. Peter-Marian kept things
very close all night, but the Red Raiders scored just before the first
half ended and then added another in the third, as the Big Red Machine
captured its home opener with a 15-6 win over the Guardians.

The win also marked the 150th victory at Fitchburg High School for
head coach Ray Cosenza, who is enjoying a 3-0 start to his 21st
season. Cosenza, who passed the legendary Clarence N. Amiott for the
program record for wins in last week's win over North Middlesex
Regional, is now 179-99-1 in his 26-year career.

"(The record) is just a testament to the great players and the great
assistants Iíve had," Cosenza said following a water-bucket bath as
the final seconds ticked off. "That's really all it is. They are much
a part of it as anyone.

"The defense played great; they got us a bunch of turnovers, and we
needed it. Our offense struggled, our offense obviously struggled, but
our defense played great. They got us the ball, and they were
obviously the key tonight."

St. Peter-Marian drops to 1-2.

This was a defensive slobberknocker in every sense of the word:
St. Peter-Marian sent the Raiders three-and-out twice in the first
half and picked off FHS quarterback Kyle Phillips on Fitchburg's first
snap from scrimmage.

"All game (the St. Peter-Marian defense) They played great. I
give them credit, they did a great job," Cosenza said. "Nothing came
easy."

Fitchburg, on the other hand, allowed deep penetration twice, but was
able to hold firm on the Guardians' first possession and recover a
fumble at the end of the first quarter with St. Peter-Marian charging
to the 11.

But it was Fitchburg that was finally able to punch in a score mere
seconds before the first half ended.

After pinning the Guardians at their own 6 following Tim McNamara's
31-yard punt, the Red Raiders forced a fumble on the first play of the
drive, but St. Peter-Marian recovered.

Two plays later, Fitchburg was able to force another fumble, and this
time the defense recovered. Andrew Campbell punched the ball from out
of the grip Guardian running back Joe Michalowski, only to have
teammate Sergio Powell pounce on it at the St. Peter-Marian 4.

Fitchburg needed all four downs to hit paydirt, as Phillips plunged in
from a yard out with a hearty second effort between the left guard and
the center, giving the Red Raiders the lead.

A penalty on St. Peter-Marian on the point-after attempt gave FHS a
second chance on the conversion, and Phillips elected to roll right. A
bone-crushing block by Tyrie Osby hammered the Guardian defender, and
Phillips strolled in with seven seconds left to give Fitchburg an 8-0
lead at the break.

The Red Raider defense sent St. Peter-Marian three-and-out on its
initial drive of the second half before the offense responded with a
4-play, 59-yard drive to give the hosts some breathing space.

Phillips dropped back on second-and-8 from the St. Peter-Marian 43 and
found DJ Wilson on a brilliant catch inside the 5. Wilson, who battled
with a defender at the St. Peter-Marian 30 on an earlier pass in that
drive, juggled the ball but maintained control as he fell into the end
zone for the scoring strike.

"I've been coaching a long time; that was a tremendous catch," Cosenza
said of Wilson's grab. "That was a great catch. He had to change
directions. It was an awesome catch.

"Kyle got it out there, and DJ made a phenomenal adjustment on the
throw."

Nolan Connor's kick was good to give the Raiders a 15-0 advantage.

St. Peter-Marian answered immediately with an 11-play, 68-yard drive,
as backup quarterback Steve Flynn found Gavin O'Neil for a 36-yard TD.

The Guardians wore down the Red Raider defense with short runs during
the drive, but Fitchburg was able to charge through afterward and
block the PAT, giving the hosts a 15-6 lead.

Eric Myles played outstanding defense for the Red and Gray, recording
at least a half-dozen tackles. Campbell, McNamara and Jamison
DiGeronimo also made quite a few stops for the Red Raiders, who travel
to St. John's next Saturday.

Red Raiders 15

Guardians 6

St. Peter-Marian (1-2) 0 0 0 6 -- 6

Fitchburg (3-0) 0 8 7 0 -- 15

Second quarter

F -- Kyle Phillips 1 run (Phillips run)

Third quarter

F -- DJ Wilson 43 pass from Phillips (Nolan Connor kick), 4:41

Fourth quarter

SPM -- Gavin O'Neil 36 pass from Steven Flynn (kick blocked), 9:01

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