THE NRHS cheerleading team and student section had plenty to celebrate in NR’s 48-6 win over Triton on Friday night. The 5-0 Hornets host 4-0 Amesbury this Friday night at 6 p.m. (NRHS Athletics Photo)
By DAN ZIMMERMAN
NORTH READING — The North Reading Hornets continued their winnings ways last Friday night, carving out yet another convincing win with a 48-6 pounding of the visiting Triton Vikings.
North Reading scored on each of the first four possessions to compile a comfortable 28-0 advantage before the break and coasted to the finish line to arrive at mid-season with a 5-0 overall mark (3-0, Cape Ann League). The Hornets have outscored opponents by a wide 223-49 margin and are currently ranked No. 1 by the Boston Herald in Division 5 football.
“Through their week of practice, starting last Monday, the kids have been building on their focus and attention to detail,” said North Reading Coach Ed Blum, who defeated this same Triton club last year in a similar final, 48-7. “We try to remind them that games like this don’t just happen – they’re putting in the work, they’re buying in and they earned this.”
The North Reading defense was front and center at the outset. On the second snap of the opening series, Teddy Suny combined with Sam Morelli to sack QB Max Ciaramitaro for a 5-yard setback. Suny later hunted down Jayden Torres in the backfield, effectively ending the Vikings’ initial drive. Save for a long TD rush in late action, Triton averaged negative yards rushing on the night.
“This was the first game in awhile where the defense was asked to set the tone for us and they responded,” said Blum.
“I think our focus this week was to make a statement,” said Morelli. “Like you said, our offense speaks for itself by putting up points but our defense still needed to show what we’re about. I give a lot of credit to the D-line.”
Morelli also paid tribute to his coaches for providing a “valuable” game plan, as well as freshman QB Jason Berry who, in practice, precisely mimicked Triton’s Ciaramitaro in the pocket.
The Hornets’ offense, impressive week after week, did not disappoint. They treated the North Reading faithful, gathered on a mild, spring-like night, to early dramatics. Following his 52-yard punt return into the red zone, a cool-headed Craig Rubino collected a pitch from QB Alex Carucci and fired to Matt Guidebeck, executing the halfback option to perfection for a 13-yard TD.
On the next series, the Hornets resumed their one-play proficiency as Carucci found Ryan McGuire for a 59-yarder and a 14-0 first quarter lead. Carucci added a 1-yard TD rush and later, rifled a 34-yarder to Rubino to add insurance, 28-0.
“Rubino does a lot of good stuff for us,” said Blum. “Whether it’s from the backfield or as wide receiver, we’re very fortunate to have him.”
Rubino added a pair of scores in the third frame, starting with a 10-yard rush soon after he helped himself with a long kickoff return to the Triton 25. And later, he delivered from 80-yards off a slant from Carucci.
“Coach Arch (Eric Archambualt) drew up that play at the half,” said Rubino, who has quickly become a dangerous return man. “It was a great play call. We knew I’d have an outside linebacker trailing but Alex got the ball out to me. Obviously, Will (Batten) is a big part of our offense, scoring 3 or 4 touchdowns a game. Someone had to step up and take on some of the work. Tonight, coach drew up some great plays and I was fortunate to be in the right position.”
Late in the third, Triton snapped the shutout with a 75-yard Joshua Rodiguez TD sprint but on the first play of the final frame, Carucci offset his opponent’s score with a 10-yarder to cap a 9-play, 76-yard drive. Guidebeck, 5 of 7 from the PAT stripe, added the finishing touch to this important win.
“We try to focus on number one – fundamentals, and number two – execution,” said Blum. “Triton is a really good team, tough, physical, and that was a challenge for us. But the guys responded. I can be hard on them at times but they do respond and I appreciate that.”
In a battle of undefeated clubs, North Reading (5-0) will host Amesbury (4-0) on Friday night at 6 p.m. Amesbury, currently tied with North Reading for the top spot in the CAL at 3-0, is the only team to defeat the Hornets in regular season action last year.