Two different approaches to 
running game have led Fitchburg, 
Leominster to same result: Victory
By Chad Garner
Who has the better running game -  Fitchburg or Leominster?

Is it Leominster's three-headed monster attack of senior Tom
Fallon, and juniors Anthony Bizzotto and Adam Cordio? Or is
it 2,000-yard Fitchburg High junior tailback William Earley?

It's been a major topic of discussion for 10 weeks now, but
all the hype is about to end after the historic
Leominster/Fitchburg Thanksgiving Day game ends. This year
marks the 120th meeting overall and 98th on Thanksgiving
Day.

On the Fitchburg side Earley (200 carries, 2,033 yards, 28
TDs), a starter for his third straight season, has been the
focal point of the Red Raider offense, despite receiving
help at times during the season from rookie quarterback and
brother, Raymond, and fullback Eldred Wright.

"Any back that has gained over 2,000 yards in only nine
games has had a phenomenal season. He's been outstanding,"
said Fitchburg coach Ray Cosenza of Earley, who leads all of
Central Mass. in rushing and scoring. "He's got great
instinct, he plays tough, he's got very good vision, he
reads his blocks and finds the holes well."

Heading into Thanksgiving, Leominster coach John Dubzinski
realizes what Earley means to the Fitchburg offense and what
his Blue Devils are up against.

"He's the best back in the state. He's put up fantastic
numbers all three years, he's done a great job for them,"
said Dubzinski.

"We haven't seen a back as good as him this year. He's got
what all the great backs have — speed, he can cut, he's
powerful and he can spin and twist. What impresses us is
that every team they play gears up on defense to stop him,
and they haven't had much success."

On the flip side, Leominster doesn't have a featured
back. It relies on three valuable running backs — a
running back by committee approach — that each offer
something different to the offense.

"It's easy when you have very unselfish kids that are team
oriented," said Dubzinski. "They don't care who gets the
carries, and they're not stat kids."

Cordio, who leads the team in rushing yards with 948 and has
scored nine times, is the explosive and shifty runner. If he
is allowed to go untouched off the end he's nearly
impossible to run down.

"Adam has tremendous speed. He's a very shifty runner," said
Dubzinski. "He can cut going full speed. He's had a
fantastic year for us. "

Bizzotto, the fullback, has similar fullback qualities with
a hard-nosed approach in the blocking game, but also is a
key contributor in carrying the pigskin. Bizzotto (709
yards, 13 TDs) is big and powerful, can break tackles and
also possesses the speed and quickness of a tailback.

"He's an all-around player for us," said Dubzinski.

The jack of all trades is the silent assassin,
Fallon. Fallon can do it all for Leominster — run, block,
catch passes and is a tremendous senior leader.

"He is a great runner, I think he has been a little
overlooked," agreed Cosenza. "He does more than people know
— he's a good blocker, he's a good pass receiver and he
plays defense. He does it all."

Needless to say, Fitchburg has its hands full stopping the
three-headed monster.

"They definitely all can fly," said Cosenza. "They've got
great speed and all three of them are good-sized
backs. Those are three of the best backs we'll see. They are
a very dangerous big-play team."

Who will have the bragging rights this year?  

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