Editor’s note: The following article was submitted by Fitchburg High School senior and student journalist Jack Callahan.
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FITCHBURG — Five years ago, Fitchburg football shocked Central Mass. to win the Division 2 crown with upset wins against St. John’s of Shrewsbury, Wachusett Regional and rival Leominster in the championship game.
That memorable 2014 season was the last time Fitchburg found itself in the playoffs.
The rebuild, under head coach Tom DiGeronimo, has taken some time, but Fitchburg football is back.
This year, the Red Raiders (7-2) are a power, taking Central Mass. Division 4 football by storm with a defense that puts fear into the hearts of the opposition.
The Red Raiders look to replicate their performance from five years ago and win a Central Mass. championship when the top seed takes on No. 2 Tantasqua (7-2) at 11 a.m. Saturday at Commerce Bank Field at Foley Stadium in Worcester.
“At the beginning of the season we sat down and made our goal, and that goal was to be elite,” said Fitchburg team captain and running back Luis Aldarondo, who has missed most of the season with a torn ACL. “Winning a state championship, everyone wants to do that, but for us it was all about becoming an elite team, and I think we’re getting close to that goal.”
Despite the injury, Aldarondo has made sure to stick with his team and the people he calls his family.
“I try to keep my team level-headed, you know? Adversity is a big thing in football,” he said. “You have your highs and lows, but I made sure that everyone knew we were going to be fine at the end of it.”
Fitchburg maintained its composure earlier this year, starting the season 1-2, including back-to-back losses to Tantasqua (17-10) and Wachusett (12-7), but has since reeled off six consecutive victories, including three shutouts by this rock-solid defensive unit that swarms to the football. The Red Raiders knocked out Nashoba Regional, 7-0, last week in the semifinals at Crocker Field.
Tantasqua’s two losses have been against Shrewsbury (46-29) in Week 1 and Doherty (40-21). The Warriors have won three straight and 7 of their last 8, including last week’s 39-15 semifinal win against Groton-Dunstable.
No matter the outcome in the Central Mass. final, all of FHS is proud of what this team has accomplished, especially Principal Jeremy Roche.
“It’s a validation of hard work and effort,” Roche said. “This team has put in countless hours of work going back to last winter, from lifting weights to watching film and all the other activities that go along with it. I want to thank Mr. D and the entire coaching staff for what they have done in helping create this culture, and I wish the entire team the best this Saturday.”
First-year Fitchburg Athletic Director Craig Antocci is also proud of how far this team has come in 2019.
“Any time any one of our teams make the postseason, it’s special,” Antocci said. “The football program, I coached with those guys for a few years and a lot of the upperclassmen now I got to work with when they were freshmen, so there’s definitely a special connection there. The best part about the team is how tough they are. They play with an edge; it’s an embodiment of the city of Fitchburg.”
It’s not just the faculty and the players who are excited for this game, it’s the fans, too.
“A lot of those guys are close friends of mine, so to see them get so far makes me really happy,” said FHS junior Richard Santana. “I’m glad that I’m here to witness it.”
Diego Rios, a senior, has witnessed the playoff drought since his freshman year. He’s relieved to see the football team perform so well this season, however.
“I’ve been here all four years, so I’ve been through the ups and downs,” Rios said. “To see them get this far, especially during my senior, is special to me. I can’t wait for Saturday. I’m ready to see my boys get to work.”
