Raiders ready for Colonial invasion

Shrewsbury won last year, 40-28 

Thursday, October 01, 1998
By Dave Nordman
Sports Editor 

Fitchburg High football fans can rest assured -- Billy
DeMalia won't be wearing a Shrewsbury uniform when the
Colonials invade Crocker Field Friday at 7 p.m.

DeMalia ran through, over and around the Fitchburg defense
last year as the Colonials beat the Red Raiders for the
first time since 1979.

Now a freshman at Northeast-ern University in Boston,
De-Malia rushed 26 times for 259 yards as Shrewsbury
overwhelmed Fitchburg, 40-28, in Shrewsbury.

While DeMalia is gone, so too is quarterback Brian
O'Connor. Together, DeMalia and O'Connor led the Colonials
to their first Super Bowl birth in 20 years.

Preparing for Friday's game

But like Nashoba two weeks ago, the word "revenge" has not
been used by coach Ray Cosenza's squad in preparing for
Friday's game against the rebuilding Colonials (1-2).

"Last year's game has not been mentioned," Cosenza
said. "We're not going to let ourselves get caught up in
that."

Together, their names sound a bit like a law firm, but if
the Red Raiders are going to beat the Colonials this time
around they will need another big game out of LeBlanc,
LeBlanc and Masciarelli.

Filling in for the injured Colin Burns, Andy LeBlanc scored
all four of the Red Raiders' touchdowns against the
Colonials last year. On Friday at Milford, Andy and
backfield mate, Dustin LeBlanc, each scored a touchdown as
the Red Raiders notched their third straight win to open the
season.

Turned in career effort

Masciarelli also picked up his game last week, turning in
arguably the best effort of his career against the Scarlet
Hawks. The senior completed 3 of 5 passes for nearly 100
yards, including a pair of touchdown tosses to Tom Snow (51
and 45 yards). He also ran for a six-yard score.

"Dave's passing has improved and we're going to need that as
the season goes on," Cosenza said. "Last week was a great
confidence booster for him as far as throwing the ball."

Another boost to the Red Raiders this season has been the
play of defensive backs Snow, Dallas Heckel, Ben Bedard and
Saul Sicard.

"They all played a lot last year, but they really got picked
on," Cosenza said. "They already have more interceptions
this year than they had all of last year. It seems that in
the past, you'd always have a weakness in the secondary,
someone you'd try to hide, but that's not the case this
year. All four guys have done a great job."

Fitchburg will not be the only team looking for revenge --
er, a win -- on Friday night. Lunen-burg, which lost to
Maynard, 13-6, last year, is looking to even the score, as
well.

Off to a 2-0 start, coach Dale Diamantopoulos' squad was
left stunned last year as Maynard stormed back from a 6-0
fourth quarter deficit to beat the Blue Knights, 13-6, in
Lunenburg.

Last week, the Blue Knights defeated West Boylston, 14-7. In
that game, Paul Williams led the offensive attack with 116
yards on 23 carries and a touchdown.

Steve Robinson also scored a TD, while Lunenburg's defense
all but shutdown the Lions' offense.

In other action Friday night, Leominster (2-0) hosts
Marlboro (2-1), Gardner (2-1) hosts Algonquin (1-2) and
Monty Tech (1-2) hosts Hudson Catholic (1-1).

On Saturday, Nashoba (2-1) visits Westboro (2-1),
St. Bernard's (0-3) travels to Car-dinal Spellman, North
Middle-sex (1-1-1) visits Wachusett (2-1) and Oakmont (1-2)
hosts Shep-herd Hill (0-3) .



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