BRANDON ENG went off for 3 TD’s in NR’s 45-0 road win over Triton on Friday. The senior captain had 109 receiving yards and a TD to go with a kickoff return TD and a punt return TD. (Eric Evans Photo)
Update post publication:
North Reading defeats Ipswich 35-12 (Oct. 13)
By DAN ZIMMERMAN
BYFIELD — In pre-game discussions, many area football pundits felt that the matchup between North Reading and Triton would be closely-contested, decided by a minimum of points one way or the other. The Hornets had just claimed their first win of the season the week before, after all, and the Vikings were coming off three straight wins.
Imagine the surprise and delight of the North Reading faithful, huddled in the stands in Byfield last Friday night, as they watched their Hornets dole out a one-sided stunner, 45-0.
On the strength of three first quarter scores, North Reading put this one in the win column very early, with less than 9-minutes elapsed, in fact.
“I give the kids so much credit for this result,” said North Reading coach Ed Blum, who improved to 2-2 on the season. “Practice was a little chaotic this week but we had a good session yesterday and the kids were refocused. They’ve worked hard and they answered the call.”
Answering the call, and then some, was Brandon Eng, who raced 100-yards for a score on the initial kickoff. On the first actual series, the senior captain hauled in a 62-yard TD reception from QB Jason Berry to put the Hornets in front, 14-0, just 2:12 into the game.
“Coming into this season, we were unsure how this team would respond to adversity,” said Eng, who caught 4 passes for 109-yards and scored a pair on special teams. “After last year, with so many of our senior weapons leaving, we had to step up and fill their shoes. With the four games we’ve played so far, we’ve showed what we’re capable of.”
While the North Reading offense and special teams worked their magic, the defense was wreaking havoc in the Triton backfield. On back-to-back possessions, QB Beckham Zizza was met and sacked first, by Otto Indelicato and next, by James McLoughlin. Zack Morse soon joined the Hornets sack party, capturing Zizza in the midst of a desperation 4th-and-8 try.
“Our kids were executing early on and the defense was making the big plays,” said Blum. “Triton was unable to do much offensively.”
Actually, that was an understatement. The swarming Hornet defense held the Vikings to 58-yards in all. Triton crossed into North Reading territory a single time but came up empty on a failed 36-yard field goal try.
North Reading, meanwhile, added insurance, advancing the lead to 35-0. Berry found Tanner DuPriest for a 17-yarder and Gavin Brady for an 18-yarder. In between, Indelicato added to the steady end zone parade with a 4-yard rushing score.
“We were trying to get the ball to athletes in space and they executed the plays well,” said Berry, who completed 7-of-12 for 158-yards and 3 TDs. “The offensive line was giving me the time and the receivers were getting separation, making my life easier. After we scored on that opening kickoff, our confidence built and I knew then we were going to win this game.”
Eng did both teams a favor with a minute left in the first half by scoring on a 62-yard punt return. With the score reaching 42-0, it triggered the mercy rule. The officials ran the clock nonstop for the remainder of the game.
Logan Lamont was a perfect 6-of-6 from the PAT stripe and CJ Villarroel added his capable leg to the mix, with a late 37-yard field goal to wrap it up.
“I give credit to the captains and the leadership for rallying this group of kids,” said Blum. “Some of them are young and they’re being asked to play above their age but they’ve stepped up and delivered. Certainly, a player-led team is typically stronger and that’s what we’re starting to see.”
North Reading will next travel to face the winless Ipswich Tigers on Friday, at 6:30 p.m.