Falcons Ready To Soar In 2008

The Fitchburg State Falcons football team is set to begin its 2008 season under second year Head Coach Paul McGonagle. After positing a 3-6 record overall in 2007, the Falcons are determined to make 2008 one of its most competitive seasons.

With a 74 man roster that boast solid core of returning players and a talented group of newcomers, Fitchburg State has focused on the basics in its 2008 pre-season camp. "We went back to the basics during camp, focusing on fundamentals and technique" said McGonagle. "We have a very athletic group, with many players competing for spots."

OFFENSE

Leading the Fitchburg State offensive attack will be a pair of All-Conference selections, senior quarterback Jim Miller (East Hampton, N.Y./East Hampton) and senior running back Marlon Thornton (Bloomfield, Conn./Bloomfield).  Last season, Miller was ranked the number one quarterback in the New England Football Conference (NEFC), passing for 2484 yards with 16 touchdowns. Thornton, a recipient of the prestigious Boston Globe Gold Helmet, is coming off an incredible 2007 season. Named to the ECAC Division III Northeast All-Star Team, Thornton topped all NEFC running backs, rushing for 1296 yards with 16 touchdowns.

Junior wide receiver Devon Jennings (Boston, Mass./Brockton) and sophomore tight-end Kenneth Russell, Jr. (Bedford, Mass./Bedford) are slated to spark the Fitchburg receiving crew, while transfer student Steve Austin (Jupiter, Fla./Stony Brook) is expected to make a big impact on the top offense in the NEFC.

Senior captain Jim Foltz (Bedford, Mass./Bedford) is one of five returning lineman for the Falcons this season.  Last season, Foltz was named to the NEFC All-Conference First Team for his play at the tackle position. Joining Foltz on the line will be senior Anthony Cavossa (Foxboro, Mass./Foxboro), senior Bobby Brouillette (Townsend, Mass./North Middlesex),  sophomore Bobby Johnson (Leicester, Mass./Milford Academy) and senior Kevin Soldani (Dudley, Mass./Shepherd Hill).  Seniors Shawn McMann (Naples, Fla./Lely) and Will Hockenhull (Warwick, R.I./Pilgrim) will provide the Falcons with added depth on the line.

DEFENSE

                Spearheading the Fitchburg State defense will be junior linebacker Dale Whittredge, Jr. (Haverhill, Mass./Haverhill) and junior defensive lineman Steve Witherell (Westchesterfield, N.H./Brattleboro Union). In 2007, Witherell ranked sixth on the team with 33.5 tackles, while Wittridge notched 32.5 tackles (7^th). Hometown sophomore Logan Johnson (Fitchburg, Mass./Fitchburg) and senior Eugene Boakye (Worcester, Mass./South) will also anchor the defensive line pursuit.

                Joining Wittridge at the linebacker spots will be senior Josh Francis (Ashburnham, Mass./Oakmont) and sophomore Anthony LaMorte (Walpole, Mass./Walpole). Last season, Francis ranked fourth on the team with 40.5 tackles and one sack(34 solo, 13 assisted).  

Senior Alex Bourassa (Greenfield, Mass./Greenfield), who made the transition from offense to defense midway through last season, will spark the Falcons defensive backfield in 2008. Bourassa totaled 22 tackles last season, 19 solo and six assisted. Newcomers Sean Golden (Montville, Conn./Montville) and Andrew Cavanagh (Brattleboro, Vt./Brattleboro Union)  will also see significant playing time in the defensive back position.

  KICKING

                Leading the Fitchburg State kicking attack will be NEFC All-Conference Second Team selection Kyle Callahan (Stoneham, Mass./Stoneham). Last season, Callahan totaled 1184 yards with an average of 35.9 per punt.  Junior kicker Evan Georgopoulos (Melrose, Mass./Melrose) returns this seasons after notching 48 points in 2007, good for fourth in the NEFC. Freshman Lenny Masciangioli (Leominster, Mass./Leominster)  has been a bright spot at the kicking position this pre-season and may see significant playing time this season for the Falcons.

SCHEDULE

                Fitchburg State faces a very competitive schedule in the 2008 season.  The Falcons will open 2008 schedule as they host Springfield College on 9/4 and travel to defending 2007 Boyd Division Champions, Curry College on 9/13. "We play in a very competitive conference, but our players are ready" said McGonagle. The Falcons will travel to UMass Dartmouth (10/20), Bridgewater State (10/4), Mass-Maritime (10/24) and Maine-Maritime (11/8), and will host Framingham State (9/27), Coast Guard (10/11), Worcester State (10/18) and Westfield State (11/1).