By Eric Avidon

FITCHBURG -- Thanksgiving hasn't been kind to the Leominster
football team in recent years, but Thursday morning the Blue
Devils reversed their recent trend of Thanksgiving Day
losses and beat Fitchburg 19-14 at Crocker Field.

Heading into the 121st meeting between the two rivals -- the
99th on Thanksgiving -- Fitchburg had won six straight games
between the two schools and 12 of the last 13. This year,
however, Leominster scored a touchdown late in the fourth
quarter to take a five-point lead in the see-saw battle and
then shut Fitchburg down in the final moments to clinch the
win.

"All the credit goes to my assistant coaches and my
players. They did a great job," said Leominster head coach
John Dubzinski." He added, "It was a good game and both
teams played well."

"It was a great game and I tip my hat to them," said
Fitchburg coach Ray Cosenza. "I give them my respect and my
congratulations."

The teams exchanged touchdowns in the first half with
Leominster (7-4) holding a 7-6 lead at the intermission.

At the end of the third quarter Leominster put up a goal
line stand to keep Fitchburg out of the end zone when the
Red Raiders had four shots from inside the five-yard line.

Then midway through the fourth quarter, the Blue Devils
marched 78 yards in 11 plays, capped off by an 18-yard run
by senior captain Adam Cordio (128 yards) for the touchdown,
which ultimately proved to be the winning score.

"It feels awesome," said Cordio. He added, "We just had to
come in strong and keep our heads up. We knew we could get
them."


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