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North Reading defeats Newburyport 24-0 (Oct. 30)
Wins Cape Ann League Championship
Published October 30, 2025
Gridmen bounce back to beat Pentucket 47-28
By DAN ZIMMERMAN
NORTH READING — Beware the team that has an axe to grind. After their narrow defeat in Amesbury the week before, the North Reading Hornets took their collective frustrations out on their next opponent, defeating Pentucket, 47-28.
The final score was certainly not indicative of what actually took place on Friday night. After North Reading reeled off three unanswered scores in the first quarter, it looked like another rout might be taking shape. But Pentucket commanded time of possession and made good use of it.
“Pentucket has a lot of senior experience and we knew this would be a tough game,” said North Reading Coach Ed Blum, who sidestepped a second straight loss to improve to 6-1 overall. “They battled Amesbury to a one-point loss and if not for turnovers, their game with Essex Tech could have gone the other way. We needed the adversity this game provided. We also need to learn from the second and third quarters tonight.”
Blum was referring to a gut-wrenching mid-game sequence when Pentucket surged ahead with a pair of scores, claiming a 28-26 lead. With visions of the Amesbury setback fresh in their minds, the Hornets responded.
With 8:41 left in the game, “Otto-matic” Indelicato punched in his second of four TD rushes on the night, scoring from the 6-yard-line to recapture the lead, 33-28. The next Pentucket possession ended as linebacker Nick Torra sacked QB Steven Harper, forcing a fumble, recovered by James Wyatt. On the next play, Indelicato scampered in from the 24, literally carrying a defender on his back over the final few yards.
“I was in the right place to make the right play,” said Torra, when asked about the game-changing strip sack. “One through 11, we have an identity. We’re resilient and determined. Our coaches never give up on us and we never give up on ourselves.”
At the outset, after the Hornets jumped in front on an Indelicato 5-yard TD, the defense forced a three-and-out and Gavin Brady took the ensuing punt to the house, racing 74-yards to daylight with his trademark return. One was not enough, it seems. On the next punt, Brady added an 85-yarder. In this instance, Chris Libby provided a block to spring his teammate.
“Gavin is such a great playmaker and keeps elevating his game,” said Blum. “There’s no ego involved – he’s humble and has such a huge drive. He inspires the team.”
“It’s all about heart,” said Brady, whose all-purpose 229-yards included a 52-yard TD reception just before the half. “My teammates constantly encourage me. We play as a group; as one and that’s why we’re successful.”
Trailing 26-14 as the second half got underway, Pentucket QB Harper took matters into his own hands, rushing for TDs on back-to-back series, flipping the score. Indelicato flipped it back, scoring on the next three possessions.
“Our running game in Amesbury was a little sloppy and we were all a little angry at ourselves over that performance,” said Indelicato, who amassed 111-yards on 15 carries and 4 TDs. “Tonight, we got a lot of great blocks from the offensive line and the tackles. GB (Gavin Brady) was spreading the field and it allowed us to destroy the inside.”
“The guys could have folded when they lost the lead but they dug deep and rallied,” said Blum. “They had a little more to give and I couldn’t be happier for them.”
North Reading, which is currently ranked 5th in the MIAA Division 5 Power Rankings, will next host the 2-5 Newburyport Clippers. Due to the Halloween holiday, the game has been moved back to Thursday, Oct. 30.