Red Raiders coach Ray Cosenza would tend go agree, but not in the same context as most people would believe. "This class, since they were freshmen, has really been outstanding," cosenza said of the senior group that will guide the FHS fortunes this season. "From going undefeated as freshemn, to winter lifting and summer workouts, its really a great class. I hope it shows in terms of our win-loss record."
That is where the expectations of others come into play. After four consecutive trips to the Central Mass division 1 super Bowl -- all losses to North Middlesex, many believe this year's team will finally be able to produce the first Central Mass. title since the Red Raiders beat Norht Middlesex in 1991.
Given the talent and experience returing from last year's 8-3 campaign (6-0 and league champs in Mid-Wach A), the Raiders are as good a bet as anybody around. But a difficult schedule, even tougher than usual for this team, won't make it an easy trip.
When Fitchburg opens its schedule Friday night against St. Peter-Marian at Crocker Field, fans will be treated to many of the same names and faces who made last season such an exciting and productive one.
It all starts in the backfield, where the talented duo of tailback Ricky Morales and fullback Chris Roy return for their senior seasons. Where Morales is the highlight film type player, Roy is the workhorse who gets the tough yardage, and both complement each other well to the tune of 36 combined touchdowns last season (23 for Morales, 13 for Roy.)
Not to be left out is senior quarterback Devin Gates, who will provide his leadership and lend balance to the attack with the ability to run and throw the ball (7 rushing TDs, 7 passing last year).
"Having all three backs back is a great place to start," Cosenza said. "All three are bigger, stronger, faster, and smarter. With their experience, that will allow us to be a little more creative on offense," said Cosenza, who added the group will be just as tough to stop under normal conditions. "I think that's a big plus for us. People have to defend all three of them."
They won't be doing it alone, as the front line also has a lot of returning experience. The guards will be seniors Matt Salilla and Shawn Lord, with Guy Lamereaux and sophomore Keith Leavitt as tackles. R.J. Thibault is another solid veteran who will be the center, and Fred Robinson moves out of the backfield to tight end along with returnee Robbie Seguin.
While Leavitt may be the most inexperienced of this group, his size at 6-foot-7 and 330 pounds makes him one of the most intriguing players in this area in several years. "He's put on 30 pounds, and it's not 30 pounds of fat," Cosenza said. "Last year I noticed his improvement every single day. and this year we'll ask a little more of him. He has the potential to be the best kid to come out of this area in a long time."
Leavitt played mostly defense last year, and he will be back at his tackle spot along with Salilla and Lamoureaux. Gates, Robinson, Lord, and Thibault will be linebackers, with Gennaro Hall returning after a year off to challenge for playing time. Roy, Morales, Rich DeMar, and sophomore Tom Snow are in the defensive backfield.
Snow, who will also be a wide receiver, will be one of the newcomers whom Cosenza hopes will make an impact this season. Sophomore Dustin LeBlanc is a nose guard and linebacker, Paul Agnese will see time at wide receiver, and last year's backup quarterback Colin Burns has been moved to receiver and also will play defensive back. Cosenza is also excited about the play of junior Marcus Scott, who will back up Morales at tailback and also play linebacker. "He's got great speed. He's really impressed us this year," Cosenza said.
Put all of that together, and its ample reason why people are excited about this year's squad. "We have the potential to be, I think, a pretty good football team," Cosenza said, while at the same time downplaying talk about the teams's bid for a sixth straigh bowl appearance.
"Every year we set goals and have high expectation for our program," he said. "I don't think this year is any different than our last firve. We just go out and play one week at a time."