This past weekend was another big win for us. The win moved us to 3-0 and set up a very big divisional game with rival Bridgewater State. The game was one that I personally would like to forget as I had the worst day of my career. Three missed field goals that almost cost us the game, had it not been for a great effort by the defense. We ended up wining the game on a 1-yard touchdown run in the third overtime.

The defense was very good all day; two picks in the end zone by John Hirko and Dee Whitehead ended two scoring chances, and once again they were led by NEFC defensive player of the week Frank Famularo. The defense pitched a shutout for 60-plus minutes.

Saturday was the first time that I have ever played an overtime game and it didn’t end the way I had envisioned it to. As a kicker I have always in the back of my mind wished we could play an overtime game, so that I could win the game with a kick. That opportunity was there on Saturday and I didn’t get the job done like I had wanted to.

I am still getting treatment for a quad injury. I feel like it is getting better but it’s not there yet. I would like to be back to 100% within the next week, so that I can get back into a routine and start helping the team a little more than I am right now.

This week is very important to us, because the winner will have a game advantage in the Bogan Division. Bridgewater is a very good team with a lot of veterans, and has been playing very well this year.

A concern this week is getting everyone healthy, because it is going to take a good effort from everyone this week to win. The good thing is that they have to travel to us this week. We are still playing on a local high school field however due to delayed construction on our new facility.

The internship is going well; I am starting to do a little more. Last week I was out with some detectives and made my first arrest.

This past Saturday was another good win for our program. It kept us on track for what we want to do. We played a good team in Western New England College, and they came in fired up, looking to get a little revenge for some previous meetings between the two schools. Three years ago it took a 60 yard touchdown pass with 2 minutes left to beat them, and then a year later I kicked a 52 yard field goal as time expired to beat them. Saturday was a well played game on both sides, but in the end our line just played a little harder and the running backs got the job done.

Saturday was also the first time in my 4 years that I attempted a pass, and it turned out to be a 19 yard touchdown; the first since the high school days and the first touchdown pass of my college career. It was definitely fun to get out there and feel like a quarterback again…even if it was just for 1 play.

This week for the first time we are going on the road. We get to wake up early and board a bus, to travel across the state and face a very good divisional opponent in Westfield State. Before we won the division last year, Westfield was the three time defending divisional champs, and their turf is always tough to get a win on.

It has been a tough last two weeks for me. I strained my quad and I have been trying to get as healthy as I can for the run through the divisional games. We have a good training staff so they are doing everything they can to make sure I stay on the field.

Other than that the internship is going well and I am learning a lot. I go out every day with the detectives to see what they do and some of the stuff they have to deal with. I also am in charge of entering all domestic violence cases into the computer.

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.