Post publication update:
North Reading falls to Amesbury 30-28 (Oct. 17)
Published October 20, 2025
Gridmen improve to 5-0 with a victory in first home game
By DAN ZIMMERMAN
NORTH READING — After four straight games on the road, the loud and proud North Reading faithful, adorned with all manner of patriotic regalia, filled Arthur J. Kenney Stadium to capacity on Friday night to welcome home their football team. The Hornets, in turn, showed their fan appreciation by pounding the Essex Tech Hawks, 35-6.
By means of a withering offensive attack, North Reading scored what proved to be sufficient points in the first half to dispense with Essex Tech. Running back Otto Indelicato set the tone, chalking up back-to-back rushing TDs in the first quarter. The Hornets were soon ahead 21-6 on yet another brilliant punt return from Gavin Brady, this a 75-yarder. Before the intermission, QB Jason Berry added a rushing TD of his own and then capped the night offensively with a 25-yard strike to Brady.
While held out of the end zone, Gavin’s younger brother Colin contributed once again, hauling in eight throws for 61-yards.
“A number of our players continue their work after practice to get on the same page,” said North Reading Coach Ed Blum. “This group puts in a lot of extra reps and you see the confidence translate to the field. When their number is called, they are making the plays and developing consistency.”
QB Jason Berry leads by example in those extra practice sessions. He is usually the last to leave the field, often well after dark. He is also humble and like most of his teammates, attributes his success to those around him, including Indelicato and Gavin Brady.
“Having a player like Otto in the backfield is amazing,” said Berry, who was 18-of-24 for 224-yards against the Hawks. “He takes the focus of our opponent off Gavin and it opens up our passing game. If they defend well against Brady, the best athlete on the field, we can just pound the rock.”
“Otto, great running back,” agreed Brady. “If they don’t respect him, he’ll run it down their throats. If they respect him, then I’m open. Great combo. And Ian (Baker) and Colin (Brady) are getting the job done. That’s a pair of sophomores who will be fun to watch in a couple of years.”
“The Brady brothers feed off each other and have developed a nice little bond,” said Blum. “Part of it is the leadership of the seniors and guys who have been there. They’re taking these younger guys under their wing.”
North Reading claimed the opening possession and made good use of it, marching 67-yards on 7 plays, polished off with Indelicato’s first of the night, from the 11. Essex Tech answered immediately, on QB Jacoby Cassinelli-Tarasuik’s 56-yard keeper. However, the Hawks tried a 2-point conversion and failed. They would not score again.
Indelicato soon added a 42-yarder followed by Brady’s 75-yard run back.
“That’s part of the return, to run to the wall,” explained Brady, describing a technique he often employs in punt returns. “I just settle in behind the blockers and then do the rest. It’s all about the blocking.”
Defensively, junior linebacker Glenn Mello earned his keep, sacking Jacoby-Tarasuik to stop one promising series and picking off the senior QB to end another. Defensive stalwarts Nick Torra, Dylan Matthews, and CJ Humber, among others, frequently made their presence known with punishing tackles. Aside from the long TD run, the Hawks’ rushing game was limited to 114-yards on 30 tries. When forced to throw, Jacoby-Tarasuik completions were in short supply at 6-17-1 for 50-yards.
“Essex Tech has good size up front, a lot of them are seniors, and they do have some dynamic weapons,” said Blum. “They’ve been in the league a couple of years and they’re an up-and-coming program. Credit to our offense for execution and moving the ball and to our defense for locking in when they had to. It was a good battle.”
North Reading has outscored opponents by a 202-48 margin and reach midseason at 5-0. The Hornets understand their next opponent will likely be the toughest so far. Amesbury is also undefeated at 5-0.
“While you want the hard work to pay off, nothing in sports is a certainty,” said Blum. “We need to stay in the moment and prepare for a great Amesbury team. That’s our next task.”
North Reading and Amesbury will meet this Friday night, 6:30 p.m. at Amesbury’s Landry Stadium.