Gardner led by the run
Rankine, Desroisers rush for over 100 yards
GARDNER 46, FITCHBURG 14

By Kevin O'Malley 
CORRESPONDENT

GARDNER - What a difference a week makes. 

After being knocked from the ranks of the unbeaten by
Wachusett last weekend, the Gardner Wildcats bounced back
with a 46-14 whipping of Fitchburg at Watkins Field in the
101st meeting between two of Central Massachusetts' most
storied programs.

"We were awful low Sunday, Monday and into Tuesday,"
said Gardner coach Walt Dubzinski following the win. "It
shows the character of these kids to comeback like we
did."

Senior backs Jordan Rankine (23 carries, 158 yards) and Kyle
Desroisers (10 carries, 132 yards) each scored three
touchdowns as Gardner rolled up 354 yards on the ground for
their first win over the Red Raiders since 1989 when they
squeaked out a 16-14 win. Desroisers also had a fumble
recovery and an interception to lead the Wildcat defense in
shutting down the Red Raiders young offense. Fitchburg had
won the previous six meetings between the two teams, and
holds a 52-38-11 lead in the all-time series.

"We're very pleased with the way Rankine and
Desroisers ran the ball and the way the line blocked and I
think we played well defensively," added
Dubzinski. "Whenever you play big games and win you're
happy, especially when you beat a quality team like
Fitchburg."

"They did a great job. Their kids played great,"
commented Red Raider coach Ray Cosenza. "Give them all
the credit in the world. They just plain outplayed us."

Rankine gave Gardner the lead on its first possession,
capping a six-play, 30-yard drive with a 4-yard run off
right tackle. Donny Lemieux added the first of his five PATs
to give Gardner a 7-0 lead less than two minutes into the
game.

Senior quarterback C.J. Cameron gave Gardner great field
position for their first possession, returning the opening
kickoff all the way to the Red Raider 30-yard line before
being brought to the ground.

The Red Raiders responded with a 12-play, 66-yard scoring
drive, taking the lead when Justin McDonald scored from the
seven and added the two-point conversion.

Gardner reclaimed the lead on the third play of the second
quarter when Desroisers sprinted 73 yards down the right
sideline on his very first carry of the game, capping a
two-play, 79-yard drive. Cameron connected with Jason
Chicoine on the two-point conversion to make the score 15-8.

"I thought their cornerback was going to catch me, then I
felt him dive at my ankles and I knew I had a touchdown
after that,"said Desroisers, whose three scores and 132
yards are both career highs. "This feels real
good. Fitchburg is an excellent team. Losing last week
killed me. We really don't want to lose another."

"I thought the two-point catch by Chicoine was big,"
added Dubzinski.

Fitchburg's ensuing drive only lasted one play as
Desroisers recovered a Red Raider fumble on the Fitchburg
25. Five plays later, Desroiser rambled in from 14 yards out
and Lemieux added the extra point to put the home team
ahead, 22-8.

After Fitchburg turned the ball over on downs on its next
possession, Gardner added a 9-play, 59-yard scoring drive,
capped by a seven-yard Rankine run to take a commanding 29-8
lead at the half.

Gardner put the game out of reach on its first drive of the
second half. After sending Fitchburg four-and-out, the
Wildcats chewed up the rest of the third period with a
9-play, 50-yard drive that finished with Desroisers finding
his way into the end zone from the 13. Lemieux’s PAT made
the score 36-8, forcing Fitchburg to look to the air to try
and catch up.

Gardner's secondary was up to the challenge as Desroisers
and Cameron each picked off Brian Riccutti to give Gardner
great field position on its next two drives.

Fitchburg (3-5) looks to bounce back from the loss next week
against St. Peter-Marian while the Wildcats (7-1) host
Westboro.

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