Red Raiders get run over by Guardians
 

"We weren't real disciplined in the second half and defensively
we did not play well.  We just didn't play well at all in
the second half." Red Raider coach Ray Cosenza

By Kevin O'Malley
Staff Writer
FITCHBURG -- Trailing 21-7 at halftime, things didn't look too 
good for the St Peter-Marian Saturday night at Crocker Field.

Fourteen offensive plays by the Guardians and three
touchdown runs by sophomore sensation Derrick Card late, the
game was tied a 27 with under eight minutes to play in the
game and the momentum clearly favored St. Peter-Marian.

After forcing Fitchburg three-and-out on its next possesion.
St.  Peter-Marian drove 72 yards in nine plays for the game
winning score.  Rich Appiah capped the drive with a 13-yard
sweep.  The Guardians conversion attemp failed, leaving
Fitchburg within a touchdown, 33-27.

Fitchburg had a pair of chances to even the score but both
drives ended in interceptions, the first by George Lawler
and the second by Tom Dusziak, giving the Guardians a hard
fought, come from behind victory in their first game as a
member of Division I

"We rally rose to the occasion," commented a very pleased
coach Owen Kilcoyne following the win.  "We just have great
kids and we beat a pretty good team tonight."

St Peter-Marian scored on four of its five second half
drives.  The only one that didn't end in a touchdown was
their last one and that one ended even better for the
Guardians as Kris Mercandante was able to kneel on the final
two plays of the game.

"We weren't real disciplined in the second half and
defensively we did not play well." said Consenza. "We just
didn't play well at all in the second half."

Fitchburg jumped out to an early lead, scoring on its first
two drives.  Frank McDonald and Saul Sicard did most of the
work on the ground.  Quarterback Jeff Twomley capped the
first drive, a nine play, 63 yarder with a one yard keeper..
McDonald scored the second on a 41 yard pitchout around
right end.

After Tom Duziak got the Guardians on the board with 14 yard
rumble late in the second half.  Fitchburg answered with a
quick strike offense to take a two touchdown lead.

Twomley connected with Harold Mateo for a 31 yard gain to
set up a two yard score by Sicard.  
 
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