Post publication update:
North Reading defeats Triton 49-21 (Oct. 3)
Published October 2, 2025
Gridmen improve to 3-0 with 42-6 win over Hamilton-Wenham
By DAN ZIMMERMAN
SOUTH HAMILTON — For the third consecutive week, the North Reading football team ran roughshod over an opponent, in this instance, the Hamilton-Wenham Generals. On the strength of five rushing TDs and a smothering defense, the Hornets handily defeated their host last Friday night, 42-6, to remain undefeated at 3-0 overall.
Top-notch senior tailback Otto Indelicato added a hat trick, scoring in the first, second, and third quarters, and each of his TDs were long rushes. Otto finished the night with 115-yards on 6 carries.
Junior Desi Brown, who notched his first score of the season in Week 2 action, added a pair against the Generals, including the opening salvo on the Hornets first possession. Brown took the handoff from QB Jason Berry, cradled the ball, and bolted 21-yards to daylight and a 7-0 North Reading lead. The Hornets doubled their advantage on the next offensive series, with Indelicato ripping off a 25-yarder. This score was preceded with a 50-yard reception by sophomore wide receiver Ian Baker from Berry. Baker was impressive, hauling in 5-for-101-yards while his counterpart, Gavin Brady, was often cloaked in double and triple coverages.
Brady might have been handcuffed at times but that didn’t stop him from contributing with his trademark punt return. At the tail end of the first quarter, he made it 21-0 with a 60-yarder.
The Generals, meanwhile, were unable to get their offense on track, despite the presence of senior tailback Caden Schrock, a talented workhorse who amassed 135-yards and one score on 21 carries.
“It was a matter of our defense working together, collectively, to control the line of scrimmage,” said North Reading head coach Ed Blum when asked about effectively containing Schrock. “He’s a big kid, a strong runner but we were effective at sealing the edges and making sure tackles.”
In that respect, Blum singled out defensive back Anthony Tammaro, whose name was frequently called by the game announcer for his tackling.
“Honestly, it had a lot to do with our preparation,” said Tammaro, who picked off Hamilton-Wenham QB Anthony Folger early, a turnover which resulted in the go-ahead score. “We watched a lot of film, the coaches gave us a winning game plan and we knew what to expect from this opponent.”
“It was great coaching and a great game plan,” agreed senior defensive lineman CJ Humber. “We knew he (Schrock) was a good player and we were able to prepare for him.”
Indelicato, amid the familiar chants of “Ottomatic” from the North Reading faithful and the Hornet cheerleaders, added a 26-yarder before the intermission. When play resumed, Brown punched one in from the 3 to put it out of reach. Hungry for more later in the game, the explosive Indelicato rumbled for his long TD of the night, from the 30-yard-line. Reliable placekicker Xander Villarroel, 6-for-6 from the PAT stripe, booted the Hornets to a 42-0 lead.
Hamilton-Wenham, seeking a face-saving finish, finally severed the game-long shutout when Schrock found a seam against the Hornet reserves deep in the fourth frame. Despite Schrock’s late heroics, North Reading maintained a pre-season goal to allow each opponent no more than a single TD scored.
“We’re a hard-working team, we love each other, and we know how to work together,” said Humber.
“For the second week in a row, the offensive line did a great job communicating,” said Blum, who remains undefeated at 3-0. “For the opposition, it’s tough to handle the bruising running of Otto and then we’re able to put in a fresh Desi Brown. That’s what it takes in high school football – different guys stepping in and stepping up in their roles. The versatility certainly helps a team succeed.”
North Reading takes on the 1-2 Triton Vikings Friday night at 6:30 p.m. in the fourth straight game away. The long string of travel comes to an end next week when the Hornets host Essex Tech in a long-awaited homecoming.