Fitchburg State Football Team Primed For Big Season
FITCHBURG -- Another 6-4 season would be acceptable for some football teams, but not Fitchburg State University. The Falcons had a successful season a year ago, but it's far from good enough, says FSU junior quarterback Garrett DelleChiaie.
Courtesy of Chad Garner - Sentinal & Enterprise
FITCHBURG -- Another 6-4 season would be acceptable for some football teams, but not Fitchburg State University.
The Falcons had a successful season a year ago, but it's far from good enough, says FSU junior quarterback Garrett DelleChiaie.
"Definitely, 6-4 doesn't cut it," said the former Leominster High star during Friday's football media day at Elliot Field. "It's not acceptable."
Said senior safety Tevin Bienaime: "We're very hungry and ready to get it going this year. Being 6-4 isn't good enough for us."
The Falcons are getting some respect with the No. 3 ranking in the 2015 Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference preseason poll.
"I'd rather us be ranked last, it makes us a little more hungry," Bienaime said.
"I don't want a lot of these young guys coming in here thinking we're ranked third so the job is already done. We've got a lot of work to do. Hopefully that doesn't go to anybody's head. I hope everyone stays hungry and humble."
Fitchburg State head coach Pat Haverty doesn't put any stock in preseason polls.
"Preseason anything doesn't mean anything," said Haverty, entering his 10th year at the helm. "Postseason is the actual poll that matters. I didn't have us there until we earned it, so it's nice that they got it, but I told the guys it doesn't mean anything. Have an attitude like you were picked last and work on your own things."
Haverty says his Falcons are "grabbing the attention to detail" in preseason camp and he loves the energy in those practices.
What plagued the Falcons last year?
"The biggest thing we didn't do a good job of last year was taking care of all the little things that can separate you from having a very good season and an average season," the FSU coach said. "We're really, really focusing on the little things and really emphasizing little things. If those things keep getting better, the team will be better. If we don't work on those, we'll be a stagnant, middle-of-the-pack team."
Fitchburg's pass-happy spread offense is centered around DelleChiaie.
Of course, the junior QB loves slinging the football around the field.
"It's so fun. I have so much fun with it," he said. "I wouldn't want it any other way. The offense is going to go as far as we go. I've got to make the right reads. There's a lot of pressure, but that's the way I want it."
More balance, however, will be stressed this season, says Haverty. Fitchburg's top three running backs are Jordan Almore, Jevon Brown-Simpson and Taylor Wrice-Brooks.
"Hopefully we can get a little more of a ground game going and be able to control it a little bit more," Haverty said. "Obviously we're going to look for Garrett to really make the right reads and connect with the people who are open."
DelleChiaie's top targets at wide receiver are Ty Spencer and Taylor Ekstrom and junior tight end Devin Summiel, who was selected to the 2015 Hero Sports Division 3 Football Preseason All-American Offense Team. Last year Summiel had a team-high 1,112 yards receiving and eight touchdowns on 60 catches.
Haverty says the biggest question mark is on the offensive line, which lost three seniors due to graduation.
At center will be junior Maxwell Schiavone. Robert Braun and James Veradt will play the guard positions, while Zachary Pierre and Brandon Willis are at tackle.
"If they can come together, they have the potential to be a pretty good line," Haverty said.
Fitchburg's base 4-3 defense revolves around tremendous team speed.
"I think we have really good defensive speed," Haverty said. "I don't think the size is there, so we're going to have to be a quick defense. The speed is going to help us."
The Falcons' No. 1 strength is at linebacker, with returners Luis Feliz, of Clinton, Malcolm Brown-Simpson and Tre Watson.
"Luiz Feliz has done an unbelievable job there at linebacker," Haverty said. "He's going to kind of lead the defense. We're looking for him to have a good year."
"The great thing about our linebackers is I feel like we play very aggressive and we're hungry for the ball," said Feliz, who was second on the team last year with 85 tackles and also had 5.5 sacks. "That's a great thing to have, playing linebacker. Playing fast and physical, that's our job out there."
Feliz, who recently grabbed NCAA Division 3 Preseason All-America first-team honors, says the defense is definitely one of the strongest aspects of the team right now. And it all starts with those tough-as-nails linebackers.
At defensive end will be Nathan Hollie and Pedro Camilo, while Damar Collins and Jermaine Patterson are at the defensive tackle spots up front.
Joshua Brewster and David Dezeme are the cornerbacks, while Bienaime and Greg Donahue are the safeties.
The Falcons will open their season at home against Becker College at 7 p.m. Friday night.