Different season, same expectations
By Chad Garner

FITCHBURG -- Coming off an 8-4 record and a Division 1
Central/Western Mass. Super Bowl loss to Longmeadow, the
Fitchburg High football team desperately wants to get back
to the Big Dance.

It won't be easy, however.

The Red Raiders graduated 11 seniors -- keyed by Brad
McNamara and Matt Lamey -- and also lost 2,000-yard
superstar tailback William Earley and quarterback Raymond
Earley, who both are no longer attending Fitchburg High.

But at Fitchburg the program expects to always be
competitive, regardless of whether or not the 2004 Red
Raiders are inexperienced and unproven at some spots.

"We're bringing a lot of people back from a Super Bowl team,
which is a plus, but we also have some kids that are going
to be out there for the first time," said Fitchburg coach
Ray Cosenza. "We have high expectations coming in. Despite
what other people might feel because some players aren't
with us, we still feel that we're going to compete in every
single game. Our players feel that way, our coaches do so,
but we'll have to wait and see. We approach every season the
same. We want to compete."

Fitchburg opens up the season at home against Eastern
Mass. power Xaverian, 7 p.m. tonight at Crocker Field.

"I hope as time goes, because we're playing some young kids,
we're going to continue to get better," said Cosenza. "It's
going to be a tough test for them (tonight) against an
experienced quarterback and a wide open offense."

Offensively, the Red Raiders will rely heavily on a talented
and experienced group of offensive linemen led by four-year
starting center Anthony Murray, who will be out this week
due to a knee injury.

"(Murray's) a natural leader and he's a key to our team,"
said Cosenza.

Senior tackle Austin Douglas and junior tackle Logan Johnson
are the other two returning starters on the offensive line.

"I think our offensive line is going to be a strength
because of our experience and our depth," said
Cosenza. "When Anthony comes back we're going to improve
immediately."

John Fanelli moves from defense to the offensive line this
season, while juniors Julio Cartagena and Shane Boucher, and
sophomore Nate Wilson all are battling for playing
time. Matt Thibeault starts at tight end.

Josh Mathieu, who is joined by Dave Cosenza and Mike Doyle,
is the only returning starter at wide receiver.

Leading the offense at quarterback is senior Brian Ricciuti,
a starter at wideout last season.

"I think Brian gives us the dimension to throw," said
Cosenza. "We've got to find a way to move the ball and put
points on the board. It's helpful if you're doing it in more
than one way. A lot of times last year people would put
eight or nine men in the box on us and it made it tough to
run the football. If we have that added dimension it's going
to help our offense."

In the backfield it will be a committee approach for the
time being due to injuries, with tailbacks Justin McDonald,
an ice hockey star who hasn't played since the 8th grade,
sophomore Brett Barrows and senior Daeshaun Perkins.

"I think we're going to get our yards, but it's also tough
to replace a 2,400-yard rusher," said Cosenza. "But we'll
find a way to get it done. It's going to be tough for sure
because talent like that doesn't come around very often, but
I think the people we have are capable of doing some great
things.

"We hope to be a similar ball-control, run the football
(team). We'll see when everyone's healthy. Sooner or later
someone is going to emerge as our tailback and get the
majority of those carries. All three backs are capable of
doing the things that we need them to do."

Another key threat in the backfield is senior fullback
Eldred Wright.

"Eldred Wright has become more of a weapon for us," said
Cosenza. "He's become a legitimate weapon for us to run the
football with."

Fitchburg's base 50 defense is anchored by Douglas, who
moves from end to defensive tackle this season, and
linebacker Thibeault.

"Douglas is just an awesome player and he's going to do some
big things," said Cosenza. "Matt Thibeault will be calling
the defense; he's like a coach on the field. Those two guys,
until Anthony gets back out there, are really going to have
to be the leaders out there."

At the ends are seniors Ben Smith and Ryan Meehan, who both
saw playing time last year.

Cosenza is also high on upcoming sophomores Jesus Pizarro
(6-1, 280) and Waheed Disu (6-0, 250). Sophomore Jon
Berthiaume, a pleasant surprise according to Cosenza, starts
at the other linebacker spot.

Junior cornerback David Garay, junior strong safety Sean
Thomas, free safety Perkins and Mathieu comprise the
starting secondary.

Key defensive backups include Malcom Wilbur, Mike Costa and
Mike Johnson.

"We're going to be an aggressive defense," said Cosenza.


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