Longmeadow thrives 
Strong defense is a major reason the Longmeadow High 
School football team is 11-0 headed into the Super Bowl.

By CHRIS MIRACLE 
LONGMEADOW - According to Longmeadow High School defensive
lineman Erik Jefferson, one of the team's early season
mottos was: "Without victory, there is no survival."

Heading into this weekend's Division I Super Bowl undefeated
at 11-0 against Central Massachusetts foe Fitchburg (8-3),
the Lancers not only survived the season, they thrived off
opponents. Kickoff is 12:30 p.m. Saturday at Springfield
College.
     
One reason for the success was the suffocating play of the
defense. With seven starters back from last year's Super
Bowl team, the Lancers were primed for success at the
beginning of this season.

"One of the big reasons that we are undefeated is the play
of the defense. The credit goes to our defensive coordinator
Nick St. George," Longmeadow head coach Alex Rotsko
said. "With seven starters back, we expected to have real
experienced players."

Keyed by a solid front seven, the Longmeadow defense yielded
only 102 points in 11 games (four shutouts), an average of
9.3 points per game. The first string defense did not give
up a touchdown until the ninth game of the year against
Holyoke. The Lancer defense has picked off opponents 11
times this year, while the offense has allowed only two
interceptions.

Stopping the gaps in the trenches are defensive linemen Eric
Cromwell, Cameron Greene, Corey Vincent, Alex Lattell and
Jefferson. Sophomore Dele Afolobi has filled in well with
increased minutes.

At the inside linebacker positions are Ryan Graveline and
Joel Humphries, while Charlie Holm plays on the outside. The
secondary consists of Drew Michael and Mack Sullivan at the
cornerback spots, Joe Furnari at free safety and Zach Bitzer
and Randy Sommerville swapping time at strong safety.

"We play out of a 5-2 defense. We won't blitz a lot. Each
man has an individual responsibility and then we swarm to
the ball," Rotsko said.

Players believe their most recent game against Suburban
League champion East Longmeadow was the best way to prepare
for this week. Dominating early in other games, the starting
defense didn't play much past the third quarter until the
East Longmeadow game. Pushed to the limit, the Lancers won
that thrilling contest 41-35 in overtime.

"It definitely prepared us physically and mentally. That was
the first game where a team scored on us first and we were
behind. We learned that we won't crumble after going
behind," Jefferson said.

"The East Longmeadow game set the tone for what the Super
Bowl will be like. It won't be a walk in the park,"
Graveline said.

"That game proved we can hang in there in a tight game,"
Furnari said.

According to Rotsko, the Fitchburg team is a similar matchup
to what the Lancers faced against East Longmeadow. As the
Spartans possess a top running back in John Thorpe, the Red
Raiders' offense revolves around running back William Earley
(2,299 rushing yards this season).

"Our front seven is the strongest part of our defense. If
you prevent a team from running the ball, you tend to stop a
team and have the ball more on offense. We know we have our
hands full trying to stop Earley," Rotsko said.

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