FITCHBURG — In 2018, with a very young squad, it was a tough first season with Jim McGuire at the helm for the Fitchburg State University football team.
But now in year two of the McGuire regime, there is reason for optimism, as the head coach’s young Falcons have more experience playing under his system, and a lot of returners come back with playing experience. That should bode well for the squad’s hopes of moving up the conference standings.
“There’s no place to go but up,” McGuire said. “We played a lot of guys last year. Some key guys got some valuable experience for us last year, and hopefully it will pay off.”
Fitchburg State struggled last season, finishing with a 2-8 record, and 2-6 in the MASCAC. The Falcons are looking to regroup and enter the season on a high note after claiming victory in the season finale last year against UMass Dartmouth.
The Falcons will still be predominantly on the youthful side, but it won’t be as glaring as last season. Last year, there was a point in the season in which Fitchburg State started 11 freshmen. One big loss to that freshmen cohort was the departure of starting quarterback Brandon Brown, who will not be returning to the team.
“We had freshmen at key positions, including quarterback, corner, and offensive line,” McGuire said. “Sometimes it wasn’t always the best. We had high expectations for (Brown) coming back, but he’s not, so we’ve got to move forward.”
Fitchburg State was picked to finish seventh out of nine teams in the MASCAC Preseason Football Poll, as voted on by the league’s coaches. Framingham State was predicted to finish first in the conference, followed by Western Connecticut State and Bridgewater State.
The Falcons will be running a base 3-4 defense this year, with a lot of blitzing coming from different directions from the linebacking corps. The offensive line was the strength of the team last season, and Fitchburg State won’t shy away from running the ball this fall.
The team has various one-back and two-back run-focused formations, and with the line mostly intact from last year, there should be some good holes for the running backs.
Connor Fitzsimons will ascend to the starting quarterback role. Fitzsimons is a senior and has played every year he has been in the program. Last year he went 12 for 25 for 120 passing yards. The best year of his career came in his freshman year, when he went 77 for 152 for 783 yards. For his career he has made 252 attempts, accumulating 1,386 yards with 15 touchdowns and 21 interceptions.
“Throughout Fitzsimons’ career here, he’s played a lot of snaps,” McGuire said. “We’re pretty confident that he’ll be able to get it done for us.”
FSU graduated 1,000-yard rusher Sterlin Garvin last year, and it will be a chance for some new blood to get in the mix. Freshman Robert Jackson, from Worcester North, could be in the running, along with returners J.C. Santiago and Steven Lawton.
Four of the five starters on the offensive line return. Center Connor Briggs leads the group, along with guard Will Jamison, who might be the strongest lineman on the team from a physical standpoint. Darious Morkeski will play the critical left tackle role and has a ton of experience. Connor Nemerowicz will start at right tackle, and the last guard position is still up in the air.
“Briggs makes all of our line calls for us,” McGuire said. “He had a great offseason, too. We’re expecting big things from him.”
Junior Drew Ridenour returns at the tight end position, but the receiving corps is going to be a little green. Jesse Brown (44 receptions, 493 yards), a senior captain at wideout, is the only player with significant experience at the position. There will be five freshmen in the rotation, however.
On the defensive side of the ball, Fitchburg State will have some solid starters up front. Senior captain David Morales leads the charge from the defensive end position. Caleb Gonsalves comes in at 6-foot-5, and is the nose guard up front. Sam Kenny is the other defensive end, garnering defensive Rookie of the Year honors in the conference last year.
“Morales has been playing the position for three years now and is a tough kid who battles through injuries,” McGuire said. “He’s a vocal and inspirational-type leader. Gonsalves is a big and athletic kid who can hold down the middle.”
Melchior Lynch and Rich Austin are the returning middle linebackers. Austin is a captain and Lynch will handle punting duties, as well. Kiambu Jones is a returning athletic sophomore at outside linebacker, and A.J. Caddell is a converted defensive back who put on size in the offseason.
Speed should characterize the Falcons’ linebackers.
“I think our front seven are going to be pretty good,” McGuire said. “We have to stay healthy.”
Senior safety Malik Crawford can play anywhere in the secondary. University of Maine transfer Mukandu Ashema will play the strong safety-type roles. Joel Monteiro, a University of New Haven transfer, will play one of the cornerback spots, while Mory Keita, who is returning from an injury, will play the other corner.
The Falcons will have their toughest test of the season in week one on Saturday as they open up on the road against national power SUNY Cortland. The home opener is set for Sept. 14 at 2 p.m. against Castleton. The rivalry game against Worcester State will be on the road Nov. 1.
