Fitchburg ready for top-ranked Pioneers.

Byline: Jim Wilson 

COLUMN: HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL

Another week, another test for the St. John's football team.

The top-ranked Pioneers have passed them all, but will face their stiffest challenge when they begin Division 1A play against No. 3 Fitchburg at 1 p.m. tomorrow in Shrewsbury.

St. John's (3-0) has looked unstoppable thus far. The Pioneers were sharp in a season-opening win over Holy Name, then manhandled Western Mass. power Longmeadow before taking care of Westboro last week.

While St. John's has made things look easy, it knows Fitchburg is one of the few teams that can match its athleticism and size.

"We treat every game the same, and they're all important," St. John's senior co-captain Will Feraco said. "So we have to practice hard that week."

Taking advantage of the new spread offense put in place by coordinator Chris Moriarty, St. John's quarterback Griffin Murphy has blossomed into one of the area's top slingers, throwing for 743 yards and 11 touchdowns, while rushing for 244 yards.

Meanwhile, receiver Richard Rodgers has caught 17 passes for 292 yards and nine TDs, Chris Dulmaine (9 catches, 216 yards, 2 TDs) has established himself as a threat, and John Vassar (146 rushing yards) has emerged as a capable back.

"Our kids have adopted to our new offensive scheme well, and defensively, we're improving every week," St. John's coach John Andreoli said. "Griffin has been doing a great job making the right reads and making the throws the defense gives us, and that's giving us the ability to run the ball."

The Red Raiders have won their first three games, but some players feel they're being overlooked.

"We want to prove a lot of people wrong because nobody thinks we're anything because people think we play a weak schedule," Fitchburg lineman Jamison DiGeronimo said. "So we're looking to show people how good we are."

Fitchburg coach Ray Cosenza knows his offense needs to get on track tomorrow. The Red Raiders haven't looked sharp in wins over Nashoba and St. Peter-Marian. Cosenza is also hoping to keep the St. John's offense on the sideline.

"They can beat you in so many different ways, and we need to be consistent," Cosenza said. "We've kind of gotten away with it the last few games and snuck out some wins. This game we're going to have to play much better and for a full 44 minutes."

Fitchburg will turn to a roster full of playmakers, including running backs Tyrie Osby, Byron Teague and Steph'on Teague, as well as wide receiver D.J. Wilson and quarterback Kyle Phillips.

"(St. John's) is the best team right now in Central Mass.," Cosenza said. "This is a huge game, and we'll find out what type of football team we have."

Big game for Hawks

Hudson (3-0), with wins over Murdock, Assabet and Ayer, is hoping to turn a few heads at 7 tonight when it travels to No. 2 Auburn.

Hawks quarterback Dana Barry has thrown for 370 yards, while running backs Karl Sery (332 yards, 5 TDs), Jake Wardwell and Dave Meuse will be a good test for a great Rockets defense.

Rain moves games

With heavy rain and thunderstorms forecast for tomorrow, Millbury and Uxbridge have moved their game from tomorrow at Uxbridge to 7 tonight at Millbury.

Tomorrow's Nashoba-Holy Name will begin at 11 a.m.

As always, you can find the latest postponements and game results at www.telegram.com/sports.

Jim Wilson can be reached by e-mail at [e-mail].

NAME: ST. JOHN'S HIGH SCHOOL; FITCHBURG HIGH SCHOOL