Rams defeat Fitchburg 40-27;

Ravenelle tosses 2 TDs

By Steev Riccardo

Dudley – The Shepherd Hill Rams threw a new wrinkle in their attack and toppled the Fitchburg Red Raiders 40-27 on Friday night in a Central Mass Division 1 battle.

The Rams were tied 14-14 at the half with the Red Raiders but took the game over with 20 points in the third quarter.  We have seen this before from them, they are often able to reassess things at halftime and excel in third quarters.

“Fitchburg presented problems with our normal running game, especially in the first half,” said Rams assistant coach Ryan Dugan, “so we thought it was a good opportunity to open it up.  The coaches have confidence in the passing game and we have to give tons of credit to the players for executing those pass plays.”

Two of those pass plays were strikes from senior co-captain quarterback Drew Ravenelle to Drew Jean-Guillaume for 43 and 41 yards.

“We have been practicing passing all year and Drew ‘Rav’ has the ability to make big plays when needed,” said Dugan. 

The Rams also got a key defensive play from Chris Dutting, who picked up a fumble and rambled 85 yards for a score.

“Chris (Dutting) has been making huge plays for us the past three years.  It was a major spot in the game where Fitchburg was driving and gaining momentum and Chris single-handedly ripped the ball out of their running back’s hands and returned it for a TD.  I always tell him that he is a big time player and that was a big time play in a key situation,” said Dugan.

Junior Jake Gelb, who has been running the ball well all year for the Rams, scored a pair of touchdowns, while Gianluca Laudone also added a fourth quarter score for the Rams.

Dugan knew the importance of beating the Red Raiders, despite their 1-6 record. “Playing Fitchburg is a tremendous challenge.  They are one of the most historic, prestigious programs in the entire state. They played at Brockton and have also played Nashoba, Wachusett, and Shrewsbury so they were incredibly battle-tested. The coaches are incredibly proud of the players for the effort and resiliency shown.” 

This was the last home game for the Rams seniors and Dugan was ecstatic about the way things ended for them. “This is the best way I could think of sending the seniors off on their last home game.  Beating Fitchburg at home on their last home game is something they will remember for a very long time”.

The highly ranked 6-1 Rams will now finish their regular season with games at Oxford (next Friday, November 2), at Doherty, and a huge Thanksgiving match-up with Tantasqua.

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