Raiders:  Earley & often
FHS back runs for four TDs,
passes for one in victory over
Oakmont

by: Brian Carter

ASHBURNHAM --The last thing you want to do when your're
overmatched to begin with is turn the ball over.

The Oakmont Spartans did just that -- early and often -- and
Fitchburg took full advantage in cruising to a 44-0 victory
on a chilly Arthur I. Hurd Memorial Field, Saturday
afternoon.

Oakmont's three special-teams turnovers in the first half,
including back-to-back mishandled kickoff returns, all led
to Red Raider touchdowns.  Led by sophomore tailback William
Earley, Fitchburg iced this one early, building a 30-0
halftime lead.  Earley rushed for four touchdowns and passed
for another one.  He picked up 145 yards on the ground, 128
in the first half.  He also interecpted a pass.

Meahwhile, the Raiders' defense completely stifled the
Spartans.  Oakmont had no first downs and 17 total yards on
four possessions in thefirst half.

I was very happy with the way we played.  Our defense,
especially, played very well," said winning coach Ray
Cosenza, whose season record is now 6-2.

"We caught some breaks early on special teams.  The ball
bounced our way and that was very helpful."

Oakmont coach Phil Cortin, now 2-6, said it's back to the
drawing board.

"We took a whipping today," he said.  "In the first half we
had three bad things happen to us on special teams, and you
just can't do that against a quality team like Fitchburg.
We're going to have to ice up, lick our wounds and regroup."

It was Fitchburg that actually committed the first turnover,
fumbling at the Oakmont 1 yard line after an impressive 63
yard march on the game's opening drive.  But Oakmont was
forced to punt out of its own end zone, giving the Raiders
possession on the 24.  Four plays later Earley was in from 9
yards out on a pitchout.  
Red Raiders Cash in onSpartans' turnovers
 
Fitchburg was given outstanding field position (at the
Spartan 30 and 49) on its next two possessions, the result
of mishandled kickoff returns and Fitchburg recoveries.  Two
touchdowns ensued.  Earley threw a 34 yard strike on a
halfback option to Matt Vieira, and Earley slammed in from
the 2, making it 18-0 less that two minutes into the second
quarter.

Fine kickoff returns -- 40 yards by Mike Chartrand and 27 by
Glenn Farrell -- twice gave the spartans good field position
to work with in the second quarter.  But the Raider' defense
was too much, forcing a punt and intercepting a pass.  The
one time Oakmont forced a punt the play turned disastrous.
Not only was the punt fumbled and recovered by Fitchburg,
but a personal foul was called against the Spartans, placing
the ball on their own 10.  On the very next play Earley
strode into the end zone on a sweep right, creating a 24-0
lead with 5:30 left in the half.

Earley followed that up by picking off a deep pass and
falling at the Raiders' 37.  Two big plays, a 31 yard
Earley run on a draw and a bullish 25 yarder up the middle
by Matt Donovan, helped get the ball to the 1. Donovan took
it in from there.

In the second half, the teams each had one possession fully
loaded before liberal subbing began (and eventually a JV
game took place).  Oakmont's possession ended in a botched
punt attempt that led to a safety.  Fitchburg got the ball
back on the Spartan 34, and three plays later Earley waltzed
in on a pitchburg from the 6.  It was now 38-0 -- the
Raiders missed all five of their point-after tries and one
two-point atempt -- and time to send the reservers.

Amoung them, sophomore runing back Deashawn Perkins was
impressive for the Red Raiders, carry the ball five times
for 80 yards that included taking a pitch-out 56 yards down
the right sideline for a touchdown.

Cosenza credited the Spartans for their doggedness in the
face of adversity.

"I give Oakmont tremendous credit," he said.  "They're
outmanned every game numbers-wise and they play hard.
Oakmont didn't quit and their coaches keep ther kids coming
out."

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