Saturday marked a big day for Fitchburg football. For the six of us players that came in four years ago with the new coaching staff, Saturday was the first time that we won our opener. Saturday was also revenge for two losses last year.
In all my years of playing football I have never seen a player dominate a football game the way our senior linebacker Frank Famularo did on Saturday. Frank has been a leader from the first day he arrived at Fitchburg, and has been a captain for three seasons. Since Aug. 19, when we came in to camp Frank has been stressing one thing, to take care of business against Curry.
“Take care of business,†is exactly what Frank did on Saturday — 15 tackles (13 solo) and a pick for a touchdown is a great day for any player, but more importantly Frank was our leader. 85 players and coaches went to battle on Saturday afternoon. Frank by far stood out as the heart and soul of our team.
There was something, however that did not go well. We had three kicks blocked — two field goals and an extra point. It was very aggravating and we need to work hard this week to improve on that part of the game. Special teams are very important to our success and we need to take advantage when we can get the points.
Today is September 11, 2005, 4 years after the tragedy of 9/11/01, so I feel that today is a good day to talk a little about the important things outside of football. Fitchburg football doesn’t employ any full-time coaches. We have a collection of hard working guys that know the game and want to teach the game they love. Our staff consists of a nurse, a recreation director, two teachers, two correction officers, a traveling coach, a cop, and a firefighter, all of which make very large contributions to society.
Our head coach is a firefighter and his hard work and dedication along with that of the rest of the coaching staff is something that us players appreciate very much. Coach loves football and he makes sure that we all know by the time and effort he puts into making sure that we are successful, but I don’t think he would change his profession for anything. I have been able to get close to coach Haverty and when he speaks of being a firefighter you can hear the proudness in his voice. I have often heard him tell people how his father and his grandfather were both firefighter and that it is very important to him.
It is days like today September 11, when we need to appreciate what others do on a daily basis. Thank you to everyone out there who either puts there own lives in jeopardy, or helps to make someone else’s life better.
The Falcons impressed many with their win over Curry last Saturday. But what really impressed me was the work done in the trenches — especially by the FSC offensive line. They controlled the line of scrimmage throughout the game, opening up holes for both Brian Milleisen and William Early (who made the NEFC Honor Roll for his 101-yard performance in his collegiate debut), as well as protecting quarterback Corey Hetherman. Defensively, Fitchburg State was the juggernaut all who pay attention to the NEFC know they can be — four interceptions by the Falcons defensive backfield — and it didn’t hurt that they were aided by some incredible pooch punts by the blogger listed above. Frank Famularo’s game-high 15 tackles paved the way for the FSC defense, and his 4-yard interception return was an immediate highlight for the season.
But this is still Curry. They will be back. Kevin Hollaran, despite being picked off three times, still had a monster day. The defense, led by Sean Crowley (team-high 10 tackles), will be out for blood when the Colonels play Maine Maritime this Saturday. I have no doubt that it will be Curry and Fitchburg State meeting in Nellieville for the NEFC title on November 12.
Other notes: Kudos to Framingham State for its 14-7 win over MIT, and nobody was surprised that Bridgewater State beat Nichols. The surprises: NEFC newcomers Plymouth State and Coast Guard, which join play in the conference next year, beat UMass-Dartmouth and Mass. Maritime, respectively.
Next week: Fitchburg hosts Western New England, whose offense didn’t get started against Westfield last Friday; Salve Regina at Worcester (can the Lancers snap out of their three-game losing streak dating back to Nov. 6?), and can the Rams break out to a two-game winning streak against Endicott?
Why are those surprises? Coast Guard torched Mass Maritime last year and Plymouth State only lost to Mass-Dartmouth 12-10 on the road in 2004. Neither one surprised me.