Falcons, McGonagle gun for Bogan Division crown

August 30, 2009

By Chad Garner CORRESPONDENT

FITCHBURG -  Coaches always talk about how they expect their programs to make great strides in year No. 3.

Well, Fitchburg State College third-year coach Paul McGonagle is hoping his Falcons can improve greatly on last year's 4-6 overall record and 4-3 mark in the New England Football Conference's Bogan Division.

"The thing I'm excited about is that these kids are great kids, good character kids," McGonagle said. "We all want to win, but we're taking it one day at a time. I say it all the time, we're just trying to go undefeated every week. Yes, a championship would be nice."

It doesn't matter how many players FSC lost, it still expects to compete for a conference crown.

"Teams lose kids every year and every year someone has got to win the championship," said FSC junior offensive lineman Logan Johnson, a former Fitchburg High star. "I know, especially with Coach McGonagle, the expectations are to win the division. I feel you have to expect to win, go for the championship every year."

If the Falcons expect to play for a title, they better shore up a defense that yielded 40.4 points and 336.9 yards on the ground per game last year.

"Defensively, this year we're not going to let it happen like the last couple of years," senior defensive lineman and captain Steve Witherell said. "We've been awful the last couple of years. I'm thinking defense is definitely going to be our strong point. We're not going to be last in the conference this year."

The Falcons have several quality defensive players back, including safety Sean Golden, strong safety Dale Whittredge Jr. and lineman Jesus Moore.

"We've definitely grown on the D-line, we're a little bigger," Whittredge said. "We have a large linebacking corps and we're pretty experienced in the secondary."

Sophomore linebackers Will Gasson and Derrick Jean and junior inside linebacker Anthony Bizzotto, a 2005 Leominster High grad, also are expected to be impact players.

"I'm rusty right now, but a lot of stuff I forgot is coming back to me," said Bizzotto, who last played in 2006 for Worcester State. "It's frustrating because all I want to do is hit somebody, I want to be in the right place, I want to intercept the ball. I'm starving to hit somebody, I'm starving to win a game, to win a championship."

Offensively, the Falcons have to find a way to replace quarterback Jim Miller (2,577 yards passing, 22 TDs), tailback Marlon Thornton (1,290 yards rushing, 10 TDs) and four of the five starting linemen.

Senior all-everything Steve Austin (434 yards rushing, TD; 429 yards, 3 TDs receiving; 244 return yards) is expected to carry the load as the starting running back.

"It's where I wanted to finish my career in college, as the main guy. I'm just trying to go out and do the best I can," Austin said. "Marlon was probably one of the best backs I've ever seen, but I'm going to come in and do the best I can and see what I can do to help the team."

The quarterback job is up for grabs among four players, but last year's backup, junior Jordan Cannava, has a slight edge.

Junior Carlos De La Rosa (435 yards receiving, 7 TDs) is the top returning wide receiver. Former Fitchburg High quarterback Jeremy Kimber, now a sophomore receiver, also is expected to play a big part in the passing game.

Coach: Paul McGonagle (3rd year, 7-12).

League: New England Football Conference (Bogan Division).

2008 record: 4-6, 4-3 league.

Top returnees: Sr. RB Steven Austin (434 yards, TD rushing; 429 yards, 3 TDs receiving; 244 kick-return yards), Jr. WR Carlos De La Rosa (435 yards receiving, 7 TDs), So. DB Sean Golden (65 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 1 int., 6 pass breakups, 3 fumble recoveries, 2 forced fumbles), Sr. DB Dale Whittredge Jr. (66 tackles, 40 solo tackles,11 tackles for loss, 1 int., 4 fumble recoveries, 2 forced fumbles), So. DL Jesus Moore (46 tackles, 3 sacks, 7 tackles for loss), Sr. DL Steve Witherell (63 tackles, 4 sacks, 11-1/2 tackles for loss, 1 int., 2 fumble recoveries).

Key losses: QB Jim Miller (2,577 yards passing, 22 TDs, 17 int.'s; 342 yards rushing, 9 TDs), RB Marlon Thornton (1,290 yards rushing, 10 TDs, 292 yards receiving, 3 TDs), OL Bobby Brouillette, OL Will Hockenhull, OL Shawn McMann, OL Jim Foltz, DL Eugene Boakye (47 tackles, 4 sacks, 9 tackles for loss), DL Tim Beane (42 tackles, 2 sacks), DB Alex Bourassa (32 tackles, 7 pass breakups, 1 forced fumble), LB Jason Basely (39 tackles, 30 solo, 2 sacks, 6-1/2 tackles for loss, 1 fumble recovery, 3 forced fumbles).

Schedule

Sept. 5...at Springfield, 7

Sept. 12...at Anna Maria, 1

Sept. 19...UMass-Dartmouth, 1:30

Sept. 26...at Framingham St., 1:30

Oct. 3...Bridgewater St., 1:30

Oct. 10...at Coast Guard, 1:30

Oct. 17...at Worcester St., noon

Oct. 24...Mass. Maritime, 1:30

Oct. 31...at Westfield St., noon

Nov. 7...Maine Maritime, noon