By DAN ZIMMERMAN
TYNGSBORO — Like a freight train rumbling out of the terminal, the North Reading football team was off to a slow start in the 2025 season-opener last Friday night at Greater Lowell. But like a locomotive, the Hornets soon gained momentum and speed and went on to overwhelm their host, 35-7.
Senior co-captains Jason Berry and Gavin Brady combined for four TDs to lead the offense while QB Berry added a 7-yard rushing score as the half ended.
“They’ve had that connection for so long, and we’re happy to see it continue,” said North Reading eighth-year coach Ed Blum, when asked about the elite passing-receiving duo. “Obviously, those two need to be offensive leaders, along with Otto (Indelicato) and the offensive line, but we’re excited about the weapons we have.”
At the outset, Greater Lowell threw a wrench into Blum’s game plan, successfully claiming a surprise onsides kick inside North Reading territory. The Hornet defense held, seizing the ball on downs. Berry and company then made quick work of their initial possession, marching 68-yards on 4-plays, polished off with a 12-yard TD strike to Brady. Placekicker Xander Villarroel, 3-of-4 on the night, chipped in the PAT to make it 7-0.
The Gryphons matched their opponent with a stunning 67-yard catch-and-run near the end of the first quarter, as QB Kam Ry found Jayden Rosa to tie it at 7-7. A Gryphon, by the way, is defined as a “mythical creature which features the body of a lion and the wings and head of an eagle.”
Hornet senior defensive back Ben Cook later sacked Ry on a fourth down try in the red zone. North Reading flipped the long field – and quickly – as Berry found Brady for a 55-yarder and a 15-7 lead. On the ensuing kickoff, Blum tried an onsides kick of his own and succeeded, converting the possession with a Berry TD rush. Berry, like a seasoned tailback, paused at the line of scrimmage as his offensive line – which features Glenn Mello, CJ Humber, Dylan Matthews, Zack Morse and Chris Libby – opened a channel to a two-score advantage at the break.
As time ran out on the third frame, Hornets defensive lineman Humber sacked QB Ry, forcing a punt from deep in Gryphon territory. Brady, the Kinney Division Special Teams Player of the Year, returned the short punt to the 13 and was soon celebrating his third TD reception of the night. He was far from finished, however, scoring on the next series with a 48-yard haul. Berry, brimming with confidence, threw this TD pass into triple coverage.
“I just threw the ball up there and the best athlete on the field made the play,” said Berry, who completed 7-of-11 for 168-yards and 4 TDs. “We’ve been training together since the third grade. This comes natural to us.”
“Like he said, we’ve been doing this since the third grade,” echoed Brady, whose four receptions each resulted in a score. “We’re best friends off the field so that translates to our connection on the field.”
In a decisive win of this nature, the offense is often credited with the lion’s share of recognition. In this game, however, the North Reading defense was also worthy of honors for a stellar effort. Led by senior captains Nick Torra and Morse, the Hornets limited the Gryphons to 136-yards in total offense and a single score.
“Yes, I did say those words,” responded Torra when reminded of his bold preseason prediction that all opponents would be held to a touchdown or less. “We hold ourselves to that standard and from the second I stepped on this field, I knew we would deliver. Our determination is unmatched and personally, I didn’t have a worry in the world.”
“Our defense responded tonight by not allowing drives to continue and forcing change of possession – they worked together as a unit,” said Blum. “In all levels of football, from high school to the NFL, it takes time to become a proficient tackler. Tonight, I was relatively happy with the consistency of the tackling.”
Tomorrow evening, 6 p.m., North Reading and their faithful supporters will travel to Dedham for the second of four straight games away from home. In their season opener, the Dedham Marauders handed Cardinal Spellman a 14-0 defeat.