Raiders win with class

Fitchburg coach notches 100th career victory

By Dave Nordman
Sports Editor

FITCHBURG -- This one was for the class of 1948 -- at
least the final score left the crowd of over 1,200 believing
that.

On the night celebrating the 50th anniversary of the class
known best for its four straight Thanksgiving Day wins over
Leominster, this year's version of the Fitchburg High
football team rolled past Shrewsbury, 48-0, Friday at chilly
Crocker Field.

The win also marked coach Ray Cosenza's 100th career win,
the last 71 coming at Fitchburg.

"I've had great players and great assistant coaches," said
Cosenza who began his career at St. Bernard's.  " I give
them all the credit for all of the wins.  It's a team
accomplishment."

Fitchburg offensive coordinator Paul DiGeronimo has worked
along side Cosenza for all of his wins in Fitchburg.  "He
lets his coaches coach and that's what I think makes us
successful," DiGeronimo said.  "He's positive and he's
upbeat and he's just a great guy to work for."

As for the game, Andy LeBlanc scored three touchdowns,
Dustin LeBlanc added two and Dave Masciarelli threw for a
pair of scores -- all in the first half -- as the Red
Raiders rolled to their fourth straight lopsided win to
start the season.

Everyone got into the act in the second half as Cosenza
emptied his bench.  If the water boy had pads, he likely
would have played, as well.  last year's 40-28 win by the
Colonials -- Shrewsbury's first over the Red Raiders since
1979 -- was fresh on the minds of the Fitchburg players.

"It's great feeling to beat them like this after what
happened last year," said Fitchburg senior lineman Keith
Leavitt.  "The whole line did an excellent job."  

The Red Raiders face a stiff test when they travel to
Brockton to face the Boxers at 7 PM Friday.  "We'll need to
put in a good week of practice," Leavitt said.  "We'll be
ready for them."

The Red Raiders wasted no time breaking the ice against the
Colonials -- 26 seconds to be exact -- when Andy LeBlanc
danced into the end zone from five yards out.  Zack Secard
booted the extra point to make it 7 - 0.

LeBlanc's score was set up by an Andy Roy fumble recovery on
Shrewsbury's first play from scrimmage.  Roy, sprinting
through the middle untouched, pounced on the ball when
center Shaun Cunningham snapped the ball over the head of
quarterback Lee Diamantopoulos.

Five minutes later, Andy LeBlanc scored his second TD of the
game.  Running off right tackle, LeBlanc sprinted into the
end zone from seven yards out.  Secard's kick made it 14-0.

Picking up where he left off last week, Fitchburg
quarterback Dave Masciarelli increased the Red Raider's lead
to 28-0 with a pair of touchdown passes.  With 3:15 left in
the opening quarter, the 5-foot-10 senior connected with
Dallas Heckel for a 26-yard touchdown.  Sicard's kick made
it 21-0.

On the next possession, Masciarelli hit Duxtin LeBlanc with
a 10-yard screen pass.  The senior fullback did the rest,
sprinting the remaining 43 yards for the score.  Sicard's
point after was good.

"We haven't had to throw the ball this year," Cosenza said.
"But we knew we would be able to throw the ball with more
effectiveness this season with Dave at quarterback.  As we
get going further into the season passing the ball will be
important."

Dustin LeBlanc made it 35-0 with a 46-yard touchdown run
with 5:07 left before the break.  Next Andy LeBlanc scored
his third touchdown of the half, a 4-yard plunge off right
tackle with 24 seonds left.

J
ames Alexander made it 48-0 midway through the third
quarter scampering into the end zone from four yards out.
Alexander, filling in for Sicard, had his kick blocked.