Experience all the difference - Sentinel & Enterprise Article

Friday, September 06, 2002 
By Chad Garner
cgarner@sentinelandenterprise.com


FITCHBURG -- Having won four of its last five games to
finish the 2001 campaign at 5-6, Fitchburg High head
football coach Ray Cosenza is optimistic his unseasoned team
of a year ago has developed into an experienced machine.

While the Red Raiders lost seven seniors to graduation, they
do return a major portion of its starting lineup. Fitchburg
has seven starters back on offense and eight on defense.

"This team has a lot of potential," said Cosenza, who is in
his 14th year at the helm. "We're very excited. Any time you
go 5-6 you're chomping at the bit to get going. I think if
we can stay healthy we'll be very competitive. (Experience)
should help us this year.

"This is a tight-knit group. These guys stay together and
will stay together through adversity and through the good
times. My expectations every year are a shot to do that (get
to the Super Bowl). Every year we expect to be competitive
and have an opportunity to win every game."

The focal point of the multiple formation Red Raider offense
will revolve around sophomore tailback William Earley, who
rushed for over 1,000 yards as a freshman.

"(Earley) had a great season last year and he's gotten
bigger and stronger," said Cosenza.

While questions swirled about who was going to replace
Norman Cole at fullback, the Red Raiders came up with a
quick solution when junior Matt Donovan transferred from
North Middlesex Regional to Fitchburg.

Donovan was the starting running back for the Patriots, but
will move to fullback and serve as Earley's lead-blocker.

"(Donovan's) a tailback that plays fullback, but he's strong
and packs a quick pop," said Cosenza. "He's got great
explosion off the ball. To get him we're very lucky."

The tandem in the backfield, along with senior starting
quarterback Ryan Logan, has Cosenza believing the offense
possesses unlimited potential.

"It's great coordination with Donovan," he said. "It gives
us great speed in the backfield and add Logan and we've got
a lot of threats."

Logan, who started three games at QB last season, replaces
Brian Bouvier as the No. 1 signal-caller.

"(Logan's) got a strong arm and he runs very well," said
Cosenza. "He's a threat. His arm strength is excellent, he's
physically stronger and his confidence is greater."

The Red Raiders' weakness on offense is at the wide receiver
position. Senior Frank Sienkiewicz returns as a starter, but
the other slot is up for grabs between junior Matt Vieira,
and sophomores Andrew Santos and Brian Riccuiti. North
Middlesex transfer Jeff Smart is the starting tight end and
will be backed up by senior Mike Brown.

The offensive line is one major strength, where the Red
Raiders return all five lineman that saw extended playing
time last season.

Sophomore Anthony Murray starts at center, seniors Jon Lewis
and Joe Golden will be at the guard positions, and the
book-end tackles are Steve Marella and Mark Thomas.

Tom DiGeronimo takes over for brother, Paul, as the
offensive coordinator.

Marella, Logan, Lewis, Thomas will serve as the captains.

"We can be an explosive team, but we'd be just as happy to
sustain drives," said Cosenza. "The strength of the team in
our offensive line and the weapons we have in the
backfield."

The base 50 Red Raider defense is led by the all-around play
of linebacker Marella. Marella, despite playing hurt with a
sprained knee for most of last season, led Fitchburg in
tackles and will be expected to do the same this year.

"(Marella's) the key for us on defense," said Cosenza. "He's
a great run stopper, he runs very well and he plays the pass
very well. He's physically and mentally tough."

Marella will be teamed up with either senior Mark Byron, a
North Middlesex transfer, or junior Kyle Scachetti.

The defensive line will be a rotating system between nose
guard Murray, Smart, Lewis, senior Jonathan Terrero and Joe
Golden. Matt Lamey, Andy Swett, and twin brothers Mike and
Matt Brown will all see action at end.

Senior C.J. Jones starts at one corner, and the other will
rotate between Sienkiewicz and Earley. Sophomore Jeremy
Berry starts at strong safety, while Logan and Earley are
penciled in to share action at free safety.

"We've got very good team speed at all positions and they
run to the football very well," said Cosenza. "Physically
I'm very happy with the way they've gotten after it."

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