DelleChiaie lifting Falcons to new heights with his arm.

• Position: Sports

Garrett DelleChiaie earned the respect of his Fitchburg State teammates last year when he took over the starting quarterback duties as a freshman and helped the Falcons to their first winning season since 2005.

His emergence as a leader has continued in 2014.

After last week's important MASCAC victory against Mass. Maritime, DelleChiaie asked coach Pat Haverty if he could address the team.

Haverty was all for it.

"We were excited, and it was a good win, and I just wanted to get our team together,'' DelleChiaie said, "and just say that we have to keep working hard and keep taking it one game at a time and just stick together. I just thought it would be a good idea for me to speak up and let the team know how I was feeling.''

DelleChiaie, who led Leominster High to back-to-back Super Bowl titles, was the 2013 MASCAC Offensive Rookie of the Year and ECAC Division 3 North Rookie of the Year after setting a Fitchburg State single-season record for touchdown passes with 25.

This year, DelleChiaie has completed 66 percent of his attempts for 1,498 yards and 11 TDs during the Falcons' 4-1 start.

"I learned last year that college football is a long season and it's important to take it one step at a time, one play at a time,'' DelleChiaie said.

DelleChiaie threw four TD passes in the 26-21 win over Mass. Maritime. He had his best game of the year the week before in the Falcons' come-from-behind victory over Bridgewater State.

DelleChiaie was 31 of 46 for 409 yards and two touchdowns as Fitchburg rallied for a 21-17 win after being down, 17-7, in the third quarter. DelleChiaie received the Division 2-3 Gold Helmet Award from the New England Football Writers Association for his performance.

"Some of the things that Garrett does just show his character,'' Haverty said. "There was a play in the second half of the Bridgewater game when things broke down around him. He was scrambling, and I wanted to see him throw the ball away. Instead he directed the receiver himself and made a really nice play. That just shows his desire to always make something happen.''

The Falcons play at Worcester State at noon Saturday. In last year's 30-point win over the Lancers, DelleChiaie threw for four touchdowns.

"Last year doesn't mean anything in this one,'' DelleChiaie said. "Worcester State has a great defense. They're strong up front, and their linebackers are aggressive. I have my work cut out for me, and so does my whole team. We know we have to execute and run our...