Raiders outrun, outgun Rangers
By Chad Garner
Staff Writer

WESTBORO -- Forget the slow start, the Red Raiders are on a
roll.

Keyed by two touchdowns from sophomore fullback Norman Cole
and four interceptions by a tenacious defense, Fitchburg
made it five wins in a row with a convincing, 28-12, victory
over the Westboro Rangers Saturday afternoon at Westsboro
High School.

"We started off 1-4 and the fourth loss was against
Brockton," said Fitchburg coach Ray Cosenza.  "We played so
well against Brockton and we said to the kids after the game
'we're not going to lose again.'  When you play like this,
take care of yourself and play like we did today, we're
going to have a chance to win every game -- that's exactly
what they've done."

The Ranger (4-6) offense raced out of the gates on their
first possession of the game, driving down to the Fitchburg
15 yard line, keyed by a 28 yard pass to wide receiver Dave
Hanaka.  But the tough Red Raider defense stood strong as
junior linebacker Chris Lamoureax picked off an errant pass
by Westboro quarterback Chris Alves, setting up Fticbhurg's
offense at its own 14.

The Red Raiders stalled on three plays, but swiped the ball
right back when defensive back Jason Quinn notched the
second interception of the day, Picking off backup QB Phil
Aurigemma over the middle.

The Raiders used a seven play drive down to the Westboro 38,
but on fourth down, junior gun-slinger Jason Twomley was
stuffed on an option run by Westboro's Don Bean.  After the
Fitchburg defense stopped Westboro on a three and out
series, the offense finally started to wear down the
Westboro front seven via a powerful running game.

Fullback Cole (18 carries for 155 yards, two TDs) powered
for one yard on fourth and inches and after a Twomley QB
keeper, senior tailback Quinn gave Fitchburg its first
scoring opportunity.  Quinn took a hand-off from Twomley and
broke through the right side of the line, racing all the way
to the 10 yard line as Westsboro's safety Hanaka made a
touchdown saving tackle, Cold rumbled for three yards down
to the seven and Quinn (19 carries for 146 yards, one TD)
scampered into the end zone on a nifty option run.  The
two point pass attempt failed, but Fitchburg lead 6-0 with
8:58 remaining in the second quarter.

At the 5:08 mark in the second quarter, the powerful Cole
busted through the Westboro line untouched for a long, 49
yard TD jaunt.  Quinn motored in for the two point
conversion and Fitchburg went into the locker room with a 14
point lead.

"Norman Cole really picked us up," said Cosenza whose team
improved to 6-4 on the season.  "I thought Westboro did a
pretty good job.  We had to work for every yard we got.
Norman broke a few traps and ran very well."

The Rangers opened the second half with a 12 play six
minute drive that resulted in their first points on the
afternoon.  On a fourth and two from the Fitchburg 12,
Aurigemma found a wide open Alves over the middle on a
slant, cutting the deficit to 14-6 with 2:15 remaining in
the third quarter.

Fitchburg came right back via its strong running combo of
Cole and Quinn.  Quinn carried three times for 17 yards
down to the Westboro 40 and Cole took over from there.  On
another quick hand off, Cole broke through the line
untouched and motored for a 40 yard TD.  Quinn added another
two point conversion run and Firchburg lead 22-6 with 7:48
left in the contest.

On the ensuing kickoff, Westboro's Hanaka gathered in
Twomley's kick at the 25, broke up the middle and raced for
the sidelines.  When Twomley couldn't make the tackle at the
Fitchburg 45, Hanaka coasted in for a 75 yard kickoff return
touchdown.

With the score 22-12, Fitchburg used a bit of trickery to
seal the victory.  Twomley tossed the ball to Quinn, and
instead of running the sweep, Quinn reared back and hit wide
receiver Harld Mateo in the end zone with a defender draped
all over the senior speedster -- a 31 yard halfback
touchdown pass.

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