Fitchburg is ready to step into ring with Boxers

Thursday, October 08, 1998

By Dave Nordman
Sports Editor 

Anytime you're up against a team of Boxers who play in a
stadium named after one of the greatest heavyweights of
all-time, you know you're in for a fight.

That's exactly what Fitchburg can expect when it takes its
4-0 record on the road at 7 p.m.  Friday to face Brockton at
Rocky Marciano Stadium.

The Boxers won their first game of the season last week, a
40-13 win over St. John's Prep of Danvers. But make no
mistake about it, the Boxers, ranked No. 10 in Eastern
Mass. by the Boston Globe, are anything but a 1-2 team.

"It's a type of game that we know that we're going to have
to play well to win," said Fitchburg coach Ray Cosenza,
whose club beat Shrewsbury, 48-0, last week. "This isn't a
game where we can afford to have mental mistakes, we can
afford to have turnovers, we can afford to have
penalties. If we can avoid those things, there's no question
we can play with them."

The Red Raiders beat the Boxers, 16-12, last year at Crocker
Field when quarterback Dave Mascierelli scored on a 2-yard
keeper with one minute left in the game.

Two years ago, the Red Raiders beat the Boxers at Marciano
Stadium, something they had never done before. That Brockton
squad would go on to win the Eastern Mass. Division 1A Super
Bowl.

"That was a great experience for us because (Marciano
Stadium) is probably the toughest place to play," said
Cosenza, whose team has won three of its last four games
against the Boxers after losing in 1992 and 1993.

"This year's seniors were sophomores when we last beat them
there and some of them played in that game. That experience
gives our kids the confidence that, yes, we can win there."

While it is sometimes difficult for a coach to prepare his
players for a team with a sub-par record, Cosenza knows he
needs to do little to get his team up for this game.

"I know that when we step on the field, our intensity will
be there," Cosenza said. "You can't step into Rocky Marciano
Stadium and not be excited about playing."

If history holds true, Friday's game will be a defensive
battle, something that suits Cosenza and his staff just
fine.

"Defensively, I think it's tough for teams to mount 12-play
drives on us. I think we can prevent that," Cosenza
said. "Where we have to be careful is not letting them get a
70-yard pass or long run."

Boxers have big-play offense

Brockton is capable of both. Junior Eric Boatwright made his
first start of the season at quarterback for the Boxers last
week, tossing four touchdown passes, two to Rynard Wilson.

Fitchburg fans are familiar with the 6-foot-4
Boatwright. Last year, the hard-throwing signal caller
completed 7 of 17 passes for 125 yards at Crocker Field.

"They have a little bit more size, but they always have more
size," Cosenza said. "Speed wise, I'll give them the edge,
but they've had a larger edge before."

As for the Red Raiders, their play thus far has nothing
short of dominant. Fitchburg has outscored its opponents,
152-26, with backfield mates, Andy and Dustin LeBlanc,
paving the way.

Senior tail back Andy LeBlanc leads the Red Raiders with
seven touchdowns, while senior fullback Dustin LeBlanc has
six.

Senior quarterback Dave Masciarelli has thrown for five
touchdown passes and has also rushed for a score.

But against a team like Brockton, a school rooted in
football tradition and more than twice the size of
Fitchburg, records and stats don't mean a thing.

"For our kids, it is a pride thing," Cosenza said. "We know
we're not as big as far as our school and we may not have as
many kids in our program, so it's a huge challenge for us."

There's no place like home for Nashoba football.

If there's anything that will be on Nashoba Regional's side
when it faces rival Clinton Friday night, it's history.

With a 1-3 record, the Chieftains would appear to need all
the help they can get, but if history holds true, they
shouldn't have too much trouble cooling off the red hot
Gaels (3-1).

"I honestly can't remember the last time we've lost a
homecoming game," said Tucker, citing a tinge of irony. "We
used to revel in ruining other people's homecomings. We used
to actually enjoy showing up and seeing that it was (the
other team's) homecoming. So we hope (Clinton's) not
planning the same."

History aside, the Chieftains are hoping for a big win as
it's what the team needs most right now.

According to Tucker, positive signs of improvement started
to show last week at Westboro. Though the Chieftains fell to
the Rangers, 28-16, it wasn't without a fight.

"What we need to do is to dominate the line of scrimmage,
try and attack their speed, not let them get anybody open
and keep their offense off the field with our offense,"
Tucker said. "Last week against Westboro, we did that very
well, but then we gave up the big play. We did make some
progress."

Thus far, the Gaels have been a big-play kind of
team. Behind the likes of wide receiver John Bourassa,
running back Matt Santiago and quarterback Mike Frick,
they've knocked off teams such as St. Bernard's.

But the Chieftains counter with an equally as impressive
offensive unit, including senior quarterback Dave Masi,
kicker and wide receiver Shaun Feldeisen, and running backs
Stefan Moestea and Scott McGavin.

"What Clinton has been doing very well, is running their
offense. They throw the ball very well, too," Tucker
said. "With our basic offense each week we've been adding a
new wrinkle or two. ... Special teams plays a big part, and
Shaun gives us a weapon. Field position will play a big part
in this game."

In other action Friday night, Leominster (3-0) hosts
Doherty, North Middlesex (2-1-1) hosts Milford, Gardner
(3-1) hosts Wachusett and Monty Tech (2-2) travels to
Marlboro to face Assabet Valley.

On Saturday, Oakmont (2-2) hosts Alvirne, N.H., at 1:30
p.m., Lunenburg (3-0) hosts Worcester North at 1:30 p.m. and
St.  Bernard's (1-3) hosts Bishop Fenwick at 7 p.m.