Fitchburg grounds Xaverian
FITCHBURG 34, XAVERIAN 17
By John McGuirk, Globe Correspondent, 9/14/2002


ITCHBURG - Just a few miles down the road, Fitchburg
Municipal Airport was celebrating the beginning of its
AirFest. Meanwhile, at Crocker Field, the Fitchburg Red
Raiders also were flying high.

Fitchburg overcame a 3-point halftime deficit last night by
scoring a pair of third-quarter touchdowns en route to a
season-opening 34-17 victory over Xaverian.

To say Fitchburg (1-0) dominated the Hawks in the second
half would be an understatement. The Red Raiders held
Xaverian (0-1) to seven offensive plays in the second half
while controlling all but 2 minutes 21 seconds of the final
22 minutes. Fitchburg gained 353 total yards to 105 for the
Hawks.

''They're a good team and we're not,'' Xaverian coach
Charlie Stevenson said. ''They are an experienced football
team and that's what happens when an experienced team plays
one that's not. They beat us and they deserved it.''

The Red Raiders were led by sophomore tailback William
Earley, who finished with 133 yards, on 27 carries, and
three touchdowns. Fullback Matt Donovan complemented Earley,
finishing with 79 yards on 18 carries.

''Our offense is just outstanding,'' Red Raider coach Ray
Cosenza said. ''I knew we would play well but they exceeded
my expectations tonight.''

After junior kicker Jon Barker booted a 47-yard field goal
at the end of the first half to give Xaverian a 17-14 lead,
Fitchburg took over. A long drive to begin the third
finished with Earley bounding in from 3 yards to give the
Red Raiders a 21-17 lead. Fitchburg padded its lead to 27-17
at the end of the quarter on an Earley 10-yard
jaunt. Fitchburg added a late score on a 13-yard pass from
Ryan Logan to Jeff Smart.

''This was a good football team we beat tonight,'' Cosenza
said. ''I thought our offensive line dominated all night.''

Fitchburg led, 6-0, to open the game on an Earley 21-yard
run. Justin Marcione answered for the Hawks, returning the
ensuing kick 84 yards to give Xaverian a 1-point lead. A
41-yard touchdown pass to Donovan put the Red Raiders back
out in front before Shane Hopkins scored from 1 yard to knot
the game at 14-14 with four minutes remaining before
halftime.

Barker's kick a few minutes later would give Xaverian the
lead back, but it all unraveled in the second half.

This story ran on page D8 of the Boston Globe on 9/14/2002.




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