Raiders ride big second half
         Raiders ride big second half 
            Saturday, September 14, 2002

            By Steve Kendall
            CORRESPONDENT 

            Fitchburg 34 Xaverian 17
            FITCHBURG-- Dominating.
                 That's the best way to describe Fitchburg's 34-17
            opening-game win over Eastern Mass. powerhouse
            Xaverian Brothers of Westwood last night at Crocker
            Field.
                 With the exception of a couple plays on special
            teams, the Red Raiders completely overwhelmed the
            highly regarded Hawks, holding a 353-105 advantage
            in total yards and an almost unbelievable 22-minute
            edge in time of possession.
                 Most impressive was Fitchburg's play in the
            second half. The Red Raiders, ranked No. 4 in the
            T&G preseason poll, held onto the ball for the entire
            third quarter and 18 minutes overall while gaining 180
            yards. At the same time, Fitchburg held Xaverian to
            just seven plays and 12 yards.
                 “They just beat us. They're a good team and we're
            not right now, that's the bottom line,” Xaverian coach
            Charlie Stevenson said. “We're a young team and
            they're more experienced, and they took it to us.”
                 Fitchburg sophomore William Earley gained 133
            yards and scored three times on 27 carries. Fullback
            Matt Donovan, a junior transfer from North
            Middlesex, gained 85 yards on 19 carries and added a
            41-yard touchdown reception. Senior quarterback
            Ryan Logan threw for 87 yards and a pair of
            touchdowns while gaining 48 yards on the ground.
                 The Raiders' offensive line of center Anthony
            Murray, guards John Lewis and Joe Golden, and
            tackles Steve Marella and Mark Thomas pushed the
            Hawks all over the field.
                 “I can't say enough about the way the line played,
            the way the whole team played,” Fitchburg coach Ray
            Cosenza said. “We knew coming in we would have a
            pretty good offense, but the kids exceeded
            expectations tonight. We just dominated on the line of
            scrimmage. I'm so happy for the kids and the staff.
            They've worked so hard and this is a great win for
            them. This was a good football team we just beat.”
                 Fitchburg trailed, 17-14, at the half, but came out
            flying to start the second half. Led by Earley and
            Donovan, the Red Raiders marched downfield, with
            Earley scoring from 4 yards out to give Fitchburg a
            21-17 lead.
                 On the ensuing kickoff, a big hit jarred the ball
            loose from Xaverian returner's Derek Durkin's hands.
            Fitchburg's Matt Vieira fell on the ball at the Hawks'
            44. Fitchburg proceeded to jam the ball down
            Xaverian's throat, grinding out the 44 yards in 11
            plays. Earley capped the drive with a 10-yard run
            around left end.
                 “We told the kids it was key to come out and set
            the tone in the second half,” Cosenza said. “We came
            out and just played the way we are capable of playing
            and took it to them.”
                 Earley's interception set up Fitchburg's final
            touchdown, Logan's 13-yard strike to junior Jeff
            Smart, another transfer from North Middlesex.
                 Senior Andy Swett put the exclamation point on
            the win with an interception deep in Fitchburg
            territory.
                 “The defense played very well tonight,” Cosenza
            said. “We bent a little bit, but they made key
            interceptions that helped turn the game around. They
            were a key component to the win.”
                 Fitchburg outgained the Hawks 173-93 and held a
            nine-minute edge in time of possession in the first
            half, but trailed thanks mainly to superb special teams
            play by Xaverian.
                 After forcing a three-and-out on Xaverian's first
            possession, the Raiders went to work on offense.
            Fitchburg marched downfield on the back of Earley,
            who capped the 12-play, 64-yard drive with a 21-yard
            touchdown run.
                 Justin Marcione returned the ensuing kickoff 84
            yards for a score and Jon Barker's kick gave the
            Hawks a 7-6 lead.
                 Fitchburg responded with an impressive drive,
            going 72 yards in just plays. Donovan capped the
            drive, catching a screen pass from Ryan Logan and
            going 41 yards down the sidelines. Smart caught the
            conversion pass to make it 14-7.
                 However, Xaverian scored 10 points in the final
            4:29 of the half. Shane Hopkins scored from a yard
            out to tie the game, and Barker booted a 47-yard field
            goal at the first-half buzzer to make it 17-14. The kick
            awed the crowd as it sailed over the crossbar with a
            few yards to spare. 



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