In the season-opener, on the unspoiled turf of Crocker Field, Andy LeBlanc ran for 100 yards on 11 carries, scoring three touchdowns, while backfield mate Dustin LeBlanc rushed for 219 yards on 18 carries, also scoring a touchdown.
Since that decisive 41-13 win over St. Peter-Marian, the Red Raiders have reeled off five straight wins while Dustin and Andy have emerged as one of the most dominant offensive backfield combinations in Central Mass.
Drawing comparisons to the likes of Zack McCall, Ricky Morales and Chris Roy, Dustin and Andy LeBlanc have proven that their similarities go well beyond their last names.
"Although they have different abilities than the other kids we've had, together, they've shown that they're as good as any backfield we've every had," said Fitchburg coach Ray Cosenza. "I don't think they're as slick in terms of their running ability as Roy and Morales, but they get up in there and make up for it other ways."
While they play different positions and possess contrary running styles, that doesn't stop coaches, teammates, fans and media types from routinely mixing them up. Anyone who's taken in a game at Crocker Field knows the plight of public address announcer Fred Sullivan, whose calls of "LeBlanc carries" are followed by a chorus of "which one?"
But none of this seems to bother the subjects of the confusion.
"People get us mixed up every game," Dustin said with a laugh.
"It's happened hundreds of times," Andy added. "Somebody in the stands, or the newspapers will always mix us up. It comes from a lot of different people, but we don't let that bother us. We're used to it by now."
Andy and Dustin are also used to winning, something they've been doing since they first started playing together nine years ago at the Pop Warner level.
Dustin has been a member of the varsity since his freshman year, Andy has been with the big squad for two seasons.
Last year was breakthrough season for Andy. He started as a fullback, but when senior tailback Colin Burns when down with an injury in the third game of the season, Andy stepped in to rush for over 1,000 yards in just eight games. He finished with 13 touchdowns, including four against Shrewsbury.
Andy has picked up this season where he left off last year, already rushing for 10 touchdowns, including three in Friday's 35-0 win over Marlboro.
While Andy was the Red Raiders' feature back last year, Dustin was used primarily as a run blocker, finishing with just five touchdowns.
This year, Dustin has exploded offensively, leading the Red Raiders with eight touchdowns, including lengthy TD runs of 80, 62, 46 and 36 yards. He routinely carries the ball over 20 times a game.
"I like carrying the ball a lot more. I like getting into a rhythm," Dustin said. "Last year, I didn't touch the ball as much as I did this year. Twenty-one carries in a game, I never saw that last year.
"I like the weight being put on both of our shoulders," Dustin added. "It's not just me blocking for Andy and having him run the whole game. I like have the weight on me, too."
That balanced ground game has benefited the entire Red Raiders offensive, which has outscored opponents, 169-38, this season.
"I they're going to key on him, they're going to run it to me," Dustin said. "If they're going to key on me, they'll run it to him. Either way, we've got it covered."
Andy, a 5-foot-10, 180-pound tail back, is the speed guy, while Dustin, full back, prides himself on creating a hole in the offensive line with his punishing runs.
"He's a lot faster than I am after he gets going," Dustin pointed out. "But my strength is that first five or ten yards through the line."
At 5-9, 195-pounds, Dustin's breakaway speed this season has taken many by surprise -- including himself.
"My breakaway speed is getting better this year," Dustin said. "It's even surprised me a little bit."
Dustin's added quickness has widened his coach's eyes, as well.
"I think Dustin's game has improved immensely this year," Cosenza said. "He always ran hard, but he's picked up a step. He gets to the line with some force and it takes more than just an arm to bring him down."
While much of the attention and accolades have been focused on Dustin and Andy, both are quick to credit their offensive line -- center B.J. Keenan, right guard P.J. Roy, right tackle Keith Leavitt, left guards Matt Hudson and Josh Cordio, left tackle Derek Johnson and tight ends Kyle Dodge and Andy Roy.
"When they set their minds to something, they just get it done," Dustin said. "You can see it in the games. We just run through hole that a Mack truck could go through. When you have a line like that, all you have to do is run the ball.
"When you have the guys playing in front of us with our linemen playing the way they are, every down, you have the confidence they're going to make the hole for you."
While their offensive exploits have garnered them headlines, Andy and Dustin excel on defense, as well. Dustin is the starting nose guard, while Andy is a starting defensive end.
"If I had to choose one or the other (offense or defense), I don't know which side of the ball I'd rather play," Andy said.
While both enjoy playing on both sides of the ball, what they enjoy most is winning, something they've made a habit of this season.
"Every game is a different game," Dustin said. "We can't look back and say, 'We beat Brockton, so we can beat anybody on our schedule.' We look to every game the same way. We get up in the morning. We go to school. We go to practice and work hard. That's the work ethic of this team."
While they balance each other out on the field, what impresses their coach most is their cooperation; they're best of friends on and off the field.
"They complement each other well in the back field," Cosenza said. "But most of all, they're great friends and have a lot of fun together."
That fun includes an occasional game of paint ball with a group of about 35 others behind Coggshall Park.
While they're often mistaken for each other on the football field, put paint guns in their hands and add in four other people with the same last name and the confusion really sets in.
"It's a good time," said Andy, whose father, David; brother, Greg; cousin, Mike and uncle, Jim, all join in the weekend fun.
"It's funny," Dustin quipped. "You scream LeBlanc in the woods and everybody comes running out."
When someone screams the name LeBlanc on the football field, it's a good bet six points are about to be added to the scoreboard -- but not before a shouts of "which one."