Hometeam 2010 Football Preview - Worcester Telegram & Gazette

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PAGE CENTRAL MASS. HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS MAGAZINE WWW.TELEGRAM.COM/HOMETEAM 8 RICK CINCLAIR Fitchburg senior running back Tyrie Osby runs around Leominster’s Jared Wilbon during last year’s Thanksgiving game. Fitchburg Red Raiders Home field: Crocker Field. Grass field, 25 Circle St., Fitchburg. Brain trust: Coach: Ray Cosenza (22nd season, 152-84-1 career). Assistants: Paul DiGeronimo, Dan Walker, Tom Gammel, Dan Roy, Tom Whatley, Nick McNamara, Dan Ortiz. Returning starters: 12 (6 offense, 6 defense). Top players: Sr. RB Tyrie Osby, Sr. QB Kyle Phillips, Sr. WR D.J. Wilson, Jr. TE Eric Comeau, Jr. WR/S Quinton Perkins, Jr. RB/DB Mike Reardon, Jr. T/DE Tyler Robar, Jr. G/LB Eric Myles, Sr. RB/SS Steph- ’fon Teague, Sr. RB/DB Jeff Duenas, Sr. FB/LB Wesley Colon, Sr. T/DT Nate Dauphinais, Sr. C/DT Mike McNamara, Sr. G/DT Tramayne Teague. Out with the old: The Red Raiders graduated two of their four Division 1A all-stars in RB Byron Teague and DE Jamison DiGeronimo. In with the new: Jr. T/DT Jeff Fanelli, Jr. C/DT Dylan DiGeronimo, Jr. G/NG Anthony Dellogono, Jr. WR/DB Deshawn Figueroa, Sr. T/DT Sha’Keale Johnson, Jr. RB/DB Ricky Matta, Jr. WR/S Toni Onikeku, So. WR/DB Berny Platel, Jr. G/NG Sebastian Dalmaud, So. G/NG Tommy Duong, Sr. QB/DB Josue Desir, Sr. T/DT Brendon Carignan, Jr. FB/LB Jose Cabrera. When the Red Raiders have the ball: Spread offense. … Scored 163 points last year. … Phillips is back for his third season under center. … Phillips will have some good targets in Wilson and Comeau. … Perkins had a tremendous freshman season and returns to Fitchburg after sitting out last year. He could provide the Red Raiders with that game-breaking offensive force they lacked last year. … Osby will get most of the carries, but Reardon will step in when needed. When their opponents have the ball: 4-4 defense. … Allowed 199 points last year … Osby returns at outside linebacker after making the Division 1A all-star team there last year. … Myles was named to the Division 1A all-star team as a sophomore linebacker. … Robar and Colon return at linebacker. … Teague and Duenas will provide a foundation for a solid defensive backfield. … Robar returns at defensive end. In the trenches: Fitchburg returns a solid line, including Dauphinais at tackle, Tramayne Teague at guard and McNamara at center. … Comeau is also one of the better blocking tight ends. One to watch: Phillips has been running the Fitchburg offense for a while and could be ready for a big season. The senior has plenty of weapons with Wilson and Comeau back as well as the X-factor in 2999: 5-6 (1-4 Division 1A) By Jim Wilson Perkins, who looked like a star for Fitchburg in 2008. Behind enemy lines: “They always have a great line and this year they have some great receivers,” a rival coach said. “They might be the fastest team out there. You can never count them out.” The quote: “Division should be very strong with Wachusett and St. John’s to defend their Super Bowl championships,” Cosenza said. “I feel the league has great balance, and each and every week you have to be ready to play. We are looking forward to another exciting, challenging year.” Schedule: Sept. 10.......................................Nashoba, 7 Sept. 17 ............................North Middlesex, 7 Sept. 25.........................at St. Peter-Marian, 1 Oct. 1.........................................St. John’s, 7 Oct. 8......................................at Brockton, 7 Oct. 15 ....................................at Burncoat, 7 Oct. 22....................................Shrewsbury, 7 Oct. 29......................................Wachusett, 7 Nov. 5....................................at Algonquin, 7 Nov. 12 .....................................at Gardner, 7 Nov. 25...............................at Leominster, 10 Key game: Oct. 1 vs. St. John’s. Always a big game for Cosenza — a St. John’s Athletic Hall of Famer — this game will go a long way to seeing how much better Fitchburg is from a disappointing 2009 campaign. The Red Raiders were blanked by the Pioneers last year, so they’re certainly looking for a little revenge. 2009 results: Fitchburg 8 ...................................Nashoba 7 Fitchburg 41......................North Middlesex 14 Fitchburg 15........................St. Peter-Marian 6 St. John’s 28................................Fitchburg 0 Brockton 27................................Fitchburg 12 Fitchburg 33 .................................Burncoat 9 Shrewsbury 10..............................Fitchburg 0 Wachusett 41 ...............................Fitchburg 0 Fitchburg 34 ..............................Algonquin 12 Gardner 24 .................................Fitchburg 14 Leominster 21...............................Fitchburg 6 Jim’s take: The Red Raiders play a brutal schedule, and that’s always tough when you’re trying to steal wins. Fitchburg has a good number of talented skill players and their speed is a huge weapon. Look for them to rebound this year and get back among the top teams in Division 1. 5 Follow the Red Raiders’ every game this fall at www.telegram.com/hometeam. DIVISION 1A Leominster Blue Devils 2009: 5-7 (3-2 Division 1A); Division 1 Playoffs Home field: Doyle Field. Grass field, 130 Priest St., Leominster. Brain trust: Coach John Dubzinski (30th season overall, 211-96-6 career, 25th season at LHS, 177-85-2 at LHS). Assistants: Roger Mercier, Pat Leary, Charlie Raff, Scott Percival, Mark Curley, Jose Navarro, Brian Williams. Returning starters: 7 (3 offense, 4 defense). Top players: Sr. RB Nick Wilford, Sr. OL Lucas Tocci, Jr. RB Cortez Ludden, Jr. TE Kevin O’Connor, Sr. OL/DL David Ferguson. Out with the old: The Blue Devils graduated four Division 1A all-stars in RB Malik Daniel (1,024 rushing yards), OL Ryan Demar, WR Jared Wilbon and DB Curtis Ludden (639 rushing yards, 10 TDs). In with the new: Sr. WR/DB Eli Sanchez, Jr. WR/DB Kyle Sanders, Sr. QB Kyle Ford, So. QB Garrett DelleChaie. When the Blue Devils have the ball: I-formation. … Scored 186 points last year, fourth-highest in Division 1A. … Wilford is the only skill player returning to the Leominster offense. … Ludden should step in and help out in the backfield after impressing as a sophomore. … O’Connor will play tight end. … Sanchez and Sanders (122 receiving yards) will see time at WR. … The battle for the quarterback spot has been between Ford and DelleChaie. When their opponents have the ball: 4-4 defensive alignment. … Allowed 212 points last year, thirdhighest in Division 1A. … O’Connor (45 tackles) and Ludden will lead a strong defensive backfield for the Blue Devils. … Ferguson and Tocci will stop the run on the defensive line. In the trenches: Ferguson and Tocci return to anchor the Leominster line. One to watch: Running backs should be a strength for the Blue Devils, with Wilford and Ludden moving into spotlight roles. Both were impressive in limited action last year — Wilford played solid defense and rushed for 45 yards against Marlboro, while Ludden scored a touchdown against Fitchburg on Thanksgiving. The two will be expected to keep the Blue Devils competitive this year until the younger players can develop. By Jim Wilson The quote: “Our goal is to improve day to day and week to week,” Dubzinski said. Schedule: Sept. 10.........................................Everett, 7 Sept. 17........................................Doherty, 7 Sept. 25...............................at Holy Name, 1 Oct. 1...............................North Middlesex, 7 Oct. 8....................................at Algonquin, 7 Oct. 15 .................................at Wachusett, 7 Oct. 23..................................at St. John’s, 1 Oct. 29 .......................................Brockton, 7 Nov. 5 ................................at Shrewsbury, 7 Nov. 12 ...................................at Marlboro, 7 Nov. 25 ....................................Fitchburg, 10 Key game: Oct. 15 at Wachusett. Always a tough matchup for Leominster, the Blue Devils head to Holden to face the defending Super Bowl champs. Wachusett knocked Leominster out of the playoffs last year, and by Week 6, the Blue Devils should be ready for the rematch. 2009 results: Everett 14 .................................Leominster 6 Leominster 21...............................Doherty 15 Holy Name 42..........................Leominster 14 Leominster 21 ....................North Middlesex 0 Leominster 26.............................Algonquin 0 Wachusett 39............................Leominster 7 St. John’s 28 ............................Leominster 6 Brockton 13...............................Leominster 9 Leominster 35 ........................Shrewsbury 20 Marlboro 22 ............................Leominster 20 Leominster 21..............................Fitchburg 6 Wachusett 13 ............................Leominster 0 Jim’s take: Leominster lost quite a bit from last year, but the Blue Devils return talent in Wilford and Ludden. The running backs and defensive backs shouldn’t be a concern, and history has shown Leominster manages to find hulking linemen to put up front. If the Blue Devils can find the players to step in and fill the holes, they could be one of those teams that start contending at the end of the season and become the team nobody wants to play. 5 Follow the Blue Devils’ every game this fall at www.telegram.com/hometeam. STEVE LANAVA Leominster senior defensive back Kevin O’Connor flushes Holy Name quarterback Ben Whitney out of the pocket during a game last September.
WWW.TELEGRAM.COM/HOMETEAM CENTRAL MASS. HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS MAGAZINE PAGE 9 Editors Dave Nordman dnordman@telegram.com (508) 793-9375 Jim Wilson jimwilson@telegram.com (508) 793-9466 Copy editor John Conceison Hometeam Contributing editors Jorge Bannister, Bud Barth, Josh Bousquet, Steve Brown, Andy Cagen Photographers Rick Cinclair, Jim Collins, Ed Collier, Rich Dugas, Dan Gould, Betty Jenewin, Steve Lanava, Paul Kapteyn, Mark C. Ide, Christine Peterson, Tom Rettig Color image technician Richard Agbey Jr. Graphic artist Brenda Willard 5 Advertising Director Susan Burtchell Specialty publications/ event sales manager Jane Sheppard On the Web www.telegram.com/hometeam A publication of the Worcester Telegram & Gazette 20 Franklin Street, Worcester, MA 01615 All content is copyright of the Telegram & Gazette 5 Voted non-daily publication of the year by the New England Associated Press News Executives Association (2008 and 2009) Appliances U G SO S J C SO C OS Pet Grooming NAME BRAND APPLIANCES & TV’S AT WAREHOUSE PRICES Sales & Service on All Major Brands of Appliances & TVs 287 MAIN STREET, GARDNER (978) 632-0241 HOURS: MON.-FRI.8-5:30, THURS. 8-8, SAT. 8-5, CLOSED WED. & SUN. Self Serve Dog Wash 12 Williams St., N. Grafton MA (508)839-6200 Collision Repair Automotive 24-Hour Towing Automotive ACME AUTO BODY Celebrating Over 50 Years of Service 978-537-1068 • 978-537-5144 You Bend ‘Em, We Mend ‘Em www.acmeautobody.com Corner of Cross & Central Streets (Rt. 12) RS508 Glass Leominster RS365 Body Cleaners Computer Services Funeral Services Home Improvement Insurance Voted Best Dry Cleaner Fitchburg 58 Laurel St. • 978-342-5326 Mon. - Fri. 7am - 6pm • Sat. 7am - 3pm Leominster 264 Mechanic St. • 978-534-0006 Mon. - Fri. 7am - 6pm • Sat. 8am - 1pm RICHARDSON Funeral Home 106 West Street Leominster, MA 01453 (978) 534-9137 Ernest L. Rooney Funeral Director www.richardsonfuneralhome.net JP’s Home Improvements JOHN A. PORTER JR ** ROOFING ** * Windows * Doors * Siding Quality Craftsmanship & Materials Reliability, Honesty 978-537-8019 Licensed Insured The Personalized Service You Deserve! Over 40 Years Experience •Home •Business •Free Registry Service •Auto •Time Payments •Renters Notary Public Judy A. Mendolusky INSURANCE www.judyinsurance.com Quotes by Phone (978)534-8537 Rear – 176 Pleasant St. Leominster • Mon-Fri 9-5 Funeral Services Serving All Faiths ♦ Pre-Need Planning ♦ Cremation Services Serving The Community Since 1942 978-342-3635 85 Blossom St., Fitchburg www.boskfuneralhome.com To ADVERTISE in this Business & Service Directory Call Jack at 508-793-9393 Ext. #6309 Landscaping ERIC’S LAWNCARE Walls ❀ Walks ❀ Patios Brush clean-ups ❀ Fall clean-ups Mulching and Edging Fully Insurance 508-612-0361 0361 Plumbing & Heating The Original Family Since 1957 381 Summer Street Fitchburg, MA 01420 978-342-3029 Funeral Services LAVERY CHARTRAND & ALARIO FUNERAL HOME 99 Summer Street Fitchburg, MA 01420 978-342-4712 It is better to know us and not need us, than to need us and not know us At Need - Pre-Need Cremation Options Directors: R.J. Chartrand “Pet Friendly” Michael S. Alario
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