Brothers key Panthers
Friday, December 04, 1998

By Dave Nordman
Sports Editor 
While the Fitchburg High football team has the non-related
LeBlancs, Andy and Dustin, in its offensive backfield,
Springfield Cathedral has Mike Buoniconti and his brother
(not his cousin) Vinny.

Together, the Buoniconti brothers have helped the Panthers
to a perfect 10-0 record and a spot in Saturday afternoon's
Central-Western Mass. Division 1 Super Bowl at 3:30 p.m. at
WPI.

The postseason appearance is Springfield Cathderal's fourth
and first since 1991 when they defeated Longmeadow,
20-6. They are 3-1 overall in Super Bowl games, losing in
1986, before winning back-to-back games in 1988 and 1989.

Mike Buoniconti, is the Panthers half back. A slashing type
runner at 5-foot-10, 180 pounds, he leads Springfield
Cathedral with 902 yards rushing on 84 carries (an average
of 10.7 per carry). The senior has found the end zone 15
times.

Best against the best

While Mike Buoniconti has scored three touchdowns in a game
twice this season, his best game was actually a 160-yard,
two-touchdown performance against rival Springfield Central
back in October.

While Mike Buoniconti is the Panthers' feature back, younger
brother Vinny Buoniconti (5-11, 180), a junior, has proved
just as potent with four touchdowns. Together, they have
helped the Panthers outscore their opponents 328-56 this
season.

Joining the brothers in the Panthers' backfield are
fullbacks Will Torres (9 touchdowns) and John Piascik (5
touchdowns).

"(Cathedral) runs a lot of misdirection plays," said
Fitchburg coach Ray Cosenza of the Panthers' Wing-T
offense. "We're going to have be at our best to stop them."

That will be job of the Red Raiders defensive line comprised
of tackles Keith Leavitt and Jeremy Saucier, nose guards
Dustin LeBlanc and Kyle Dodge.

If the Panther backs make it through the line, there to meet
them will be Fitchburg's talented linebacking corps led by
Andy LeBlanc, Andy Roy, Frank McDonald and Josh Cordio.

Line is big and strong

Taking the snaps for Cathedral will be 5-10 senior
B.J. Lawlor, who will stand behind an impressive offensive
line of Anthony Luvera (5-10, 210), Bryan Picard (5-9, 240),
Brett Cook (5-11, 215), Justin Simmons (5-10, 240) and Sam
Scott (5-9, 225). Lawlor also has two capable receivers in
Chris McCallum and Matt Yvon.

Cathedral's defense has been very stingy. Led by Anthony
Luvera, Sam Scott, Bill Ostiguy, Chris McDonald and Chris
McCallum, the Panthers surrendered 14 points in its opening
game. Since then, they have never allowed more than 8 in a
single game, including a Thanksgiving shutout over
Westfield.

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