But, as they say, history is in the past. The present saw the Red Raiders bounce back from last week's loss, rolling to a 40-7 win over the Rangers Friday night at chilled Crocker Field. It wasn't much of a night for personal statistics, or even offense, if that can be believed. Senior Ricky Morales had 123 yards rushing and a pair of touchdowns, but the rest of his teammates had just 53 yards total offense. Add in the fact that the Raiders ran just 12 plays on offense in the first three quarters -- including an amazing three snaps from cneter between the second and third quarters combined -- and one might think it was another tough night for Fitchburg.
On the contrary, it's just that the defense and special teams were doing their jobs with such efficiency that the offensive starters hardly needed to come back onto the field. Senior Chris Roy only touched the ball three times all night, but had punt returns of 39 and 90 yards for scores, Senior linebacker Fred Robinson also got into the act with a 65-yard fumble return for a touchdown.
"We played a team that was down, but the kids responded after last wek," said Fitchburg coach Ray Cosenza, his team improving to 8-1-1. "It was good to see our defense come back. WE did some good things."
Then it was Roy's turn, taking a Rod Barbosa punt at the 39 and going around the left side for the score. His next return went 20 yards to the 15, and Morales was in three plays later from the 6 on what would turn out to be the starting offense's final salvo. "Our plan was for the first offense to go one series (in the second half), but they never got out there," Cosenza said.
Instead, Roy took Barbosa's next punt at the 10 and went down the left side, getting a great late block from Colin Burns to spring the 90-yard score. Shortly thereafter, a fumble on a toss sweep took one hop into the arms of Robinson, who dashed untouched into the end zone. Tom Emberley provided the kick after the last two scores.
"When you can score two on special teams, things are going well," said Cosenza.
Only a 1-yard plunge by Scott McGavin (15 carries, 79 yards) broke the shutout on the final play of the third quarter before the subs took over the rest of the way.
Fitchburg now awaits its final regular season clash with Leominster on Thanksgiving Day at Crocker Field, a game that likely will decide who gets to play Milford in this year's Division 1 Super Bowl.
We came out of this healthy, and we've got some time to rest," Cosenza said.