Hawks silence Raiders
Xaverian pulls away from HHS in 3rd quarter
By Chris Forsberg
cforsberg@sentinelandenterprise.com

WESTWOOD -- In a a blink of an eye, the Fitchburg sideline
went from pandemonium to stunned silence.

The Red Raiders thought they gad stopped host Xaverian on a
pivotal fourth and inches situation midway through the third
quarter when junior quarterback Greg Hyman fumbled during the
play.

The Fitchburg sideline erupted as the ball bounced wildly
behind the line of scrimmage with Xaverian clinging to a
tenuous 12-6 advantage.  But Hyman managed to scoop up the
ball and outraced everyone to the sideline for a 23 yard
gain.

And the Fitchburg sideline went silent.

One play later, Xaverian junior Christopher Fox took a toss
and rumbled 9 yards into the end zone to cap the 11 play, 65
yard drive that deflated the Red Raiders as Xaverian
ultimatedly prevailed 25-6 at the Hawk Bowl.

"We had some breakdowns that really hurt us," said Fitchburg
coach Ray Cosenza.  "It's 12-6 when they fumble and that
sould be our ball.  All of a sudden, they got the ball and
the first down.  I think that play took the wind out of us.
Not just our defense, but our entire team."

Xaverian forced the Red Raiders to go three and out on their
ensuing possession, then stuck the dagger in with a brief
six play, 68 yard drive that culminated in a 2 yard
touchdown run by junior Matt Shea.

Xaverian coach Charlie Stevenson admitted he had a similar
swing of emotions on the opposing sideline during the
botched fourth down play.  Only he walked away with a smile.

"We've been working hard on that play where we snap the ball
through the quarterback's legs and let it roll for five
yards," joked Stevenson.  "Afterwards I'm thinking, 'Maybe
this is our day.'"

Fitchburg could never quite get its offense going against
the Hawks.  Take away a 70 yard scoring drive to close the
first half and the Red Raiders mustered just 106 yards on
their other eight possessions.

Fitchburg did flash some promise during its lone scoring
drive, riding the arm of sophomore quarterback Jeremy
Kimber.

Kimber -- who started the game on the bench after battling
strep throat all week -- split time in the first half with
senior Alex Cayer, but quickly established himself as the
starter.  He completed four passes on the 70 yard scoring
drive culminating with a 16 yard touchdown toss to David
Cosenza.

Xaverian was whistled for defensive pass interference as time
expired in the first half, giving the Red Raiders one more
opportunity.  Kimber got good protection and threw a perfect
ball to David Cosenza as he ran a deep in along the back of
the end zone with two defenders chasing.

Xaverian mustered just 54 yards on the ground in the first
half, but tried to take pressure off Hyman by establishing
the run in the second half.  The Hawks only utilized one
completion - a 38 yard screen to Fox - during their two
scoring drives in the pivotal third frame.

"I think they came out in the second half with the attitude
that they were going to establish the run," said coach
Cosenza.  "We got punched in the face and we didn't
respond."

Kimber finished 8 of 15 for 91 yards and a touchdown in his
varsity debut.  Cayer completed his only pass attempt, but
it didn't produce positive yardage.

"Kimer had strep throat all week and didn't practice much,"
said coach Cosenza.  "We started Alex and he did well, so we
alternated them for a while.  Kimber is our starter, so we
stuck with him.  He did a nice job considering he was sick
as a dog Friday and the day before."

Fitchburg's offensive line struggled mightily and the Red
RAiders mustered just 85 yards on 27 carries overall wiht
sophomore fullback Matt Fraticelli posting a team high 35
yards on eight carries.

Sophomore wideout Less Josh caught three balls for 41 yards
(all in the fourth quarter) for Fitchburg, while senior wide
receiver Wilbur Malcom registered three receptions for 18
yards.

Fitchburg should receive another stiff Eastern
Mass. challenge as Everett -- fresh off a 35-8 trouncing of
Leominster Friday -- rolls into Crocker Field Friday.
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