The Brockton offense cruelly efficient
By Eric Avidon 
eavidon@sentinelandenterprise.com

FITCHBURG -- The Brockton offense was cruelly efficient
against an undermanned Fitchburg team Friday night at
Crocker Field.

The Boxers scored on four of their five first-half
possessions as well as their first possession of the second
half and beat the Red Raiders, who were playing without
running back William Earley and linebacker Gamba Payton who
were both suspended for disciplinary reasons, 33-6.

"We just got beat by a good team," said Fitchburg coach Ray
Cosenza. "Our kids came and gave it their best shot. We had
some players that weren't here, but that's the way it
goes. We still had 11 guys on the field every time the ball
was snapped."

After running back the opening kickoff to its 45-yard line,
Brockton (3-2) moved the ball 55 yards in 11 plays,
culminating in a three-yard touchdown run by senior
quarterback Dustin Leonard to take a 6-0 lead. After
Fitchburg (3-2) punted, the Boxers took over on their own
25-yard line. On the sixth play of the drive, junior running
back Robert Simpson broke a tackle just beyond the line of
scrimmage, raced to the right sideline and rambled 53 yards
for the touchdown and a 14-0 lead following a two-point
conversion.

Brockton's final two scoring drives of the first half ended
in touchdown passes from Leonard, the first a 13-yard strike
to senior John Mendes and the second a quick seven-yard
slant to senior Sampson Blevins for a 27-0 lead at the
intermission.

In the first two quarters, Brockton amassed 280 yards, 111
through the air and 169 on the ground, while Fitchburg
managed just 37 yards, all on the ground.

"He was hurt at the beginning of the year but now he's
starting to come into his own," Brockton coach Armond
Colombo said of Leonard, who completed 10 of 11 passes for
111 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. "I've got
confidence in him and he allows us to mix it up, which makes
us really complete so people can't just bring eight or nine
people into the box. We'll hurt you with the pass, too."

The start of the second half was much like the entire first
half. Fitchburg received the opening kick but was forced to
punt after four plays. The Red Raiders downed the punt at
the Brockton 15-yard line, but on the Boxers first play from
scrimmage junior Richard Johnson bounced around the left
side of the line and raced 85 yards for the touchdown and a
33-0 lead.

For the game, Johnson carried the ball just eight times but
totaled 187 yards and one touchdown. The Boxers, meanwhile,
rushed for 284 as a team.

"We want to be multi-faceted," said Colombo. "We have
athletes, so why let people focus on just one person."

Fitchburg was finally able to answer on its next
possession. Junior Daeshawn Perkins set up the touchdown by
returning the kickoff 40 yards to the Brockton 24-yard
line. After a four-yard gain on first down, sophomore
quarterback Raymond Earley faked a hand-off, bounced to the
right of the line and raced 20 yards for the touchdown.

Earley led Fitchburg with 48 yards rushing on 10 carries,
while Perkins added 47 yards on 11 carries.

"They were better in all phases," said Cosenza. "They have
great speed. Their tailback was outstanding and their
fullback was tough. And their quarterback was excellent. He
found people. They were just much better than us tonight."

Cosenza added that "we're not done by a long-shot. Our kids
will be back. You can be sure of that."

Because of the loss of Earley, Payton and a couple of
players who were injured, Fitchburg was forced to use young
players in key positions, and they responded.

"We really missed Brad McNamara, a guard who was hurt, but
sophomore James Caron came in and gave us a great effort,"
said Cosenza. "That's going make him a better player down
the road. He's not going to face anyone as good as he played
against tonight. Sophomore linebacker Josh Membrino gave a
great effort. It was a tough game for him.

"Our kids didn't quit, and that's what I'm proud of."

Fitchburg plays Shrewsbury at home next Friday night.

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