GAVIN BRADY had 2 TD catches; one for 29 yards and another for 48 yards in NR’s convincing 35-12 win over Ipswich on Friday night. (Eric Evans Photo)
Update post publication:
North Reading defeats Essex Tech 35-0 (Oct. 20)
By DAN ZIMMERMAN
IPSWICH — In a game that was starkly similar to the compelling win over Triton a week earlier, the North Reading Hornets convincingly defeated the Ipswich Tigers last Friday night, 35-12.
Facing Triton in Week-3 action, North Reading opened with a Brandon Eng kickoff runback to set the tone and followed with score after score on the way to a 45-0 final. A week later in Ipswich, the Hornets got underway with yet another Brandon Eng kickoff return for a score and then reeled off four unanswered TDs, establishing a 35-0 lead prior to the intermission.
Ipswich, which remains winless at 0-6, could take credit for an interesting stat, running 46 total plays to North Reading’s 20. But obviously, it’s not always how long you keep the ball that matters but rather, what you achieve when it’s in your possession.
Ipswich struggled in the punting game, handing North Reading short fields on back-to-back possessions at the outset. QB Jason Berry took full advantage, finding Gavin Brady for a 29-yarder to make it 14-0, then again to Brady for a 48-yarder to put the Hornets in front, 21-0, early in the second quarter. On the second TD reception, Brady pulled down a short pass and did the rest himself, weaving and criss-crossing, and side-stepping would-be tacklers to paydirt.
“JB got the ball to me and thanks to great blocking by the offensive line and the other receivers, I was able to score,” said Brady.
North Reading shifted gears for the next two TDs, putting Otto Indelicato to work. The topnotch tailback delivered, adding an explosive 23-yard rushing score midway through the second, and a 7-yarder to cap the next series.
“I take a lot of pride in hard running but I couldn’t do what I do without the offensive line and receivers blocking for me,” said a humble Indelicato. “With Will Batten down, the coaches expect me to step up. They gave me this opportunity and I’m going to take it to the fullest.”
“From a coaching standpoint, we’re not surprised to see Otto and Gavin making plays like that,” said North Reading Coach Ed Blum, who is now a game over .500 at 3-2. “Gavin and Berry are constantly working out after practice. And Otto has a Jerome Bettis look to him, to refer to a former NFL-er. He’s a good, hard runner and in my mind, is becoming more dangerous because he’s seeing the holes better.”
Led by linebacker Nick Torra, who had five solo tackles, the Hornets held the Tiger’s potent running back Ajay King to 88-yards on 26-carries. The relentless pressure also limited QB Vin Winter to just a pair of completions.
“Torra is another good, young linebacker playing well for us,” said Blum. “He’s a smart football player and gradually, he’s becoming a leader of this team. He’s been making plays, left and right, and tonight, he spent a lot of time in their backfield.”
With the game firmly in hand, Blum and his staff deployed the reserves as play resumed for the second half. Facing the young Hornet defensive squad, Ipswich claimed a pair of late scores of no consequence.
“When you have a program of 38 kids, you need to develop depth,” explained Blum, when asked about the move. “Whether they can help us out this year and get meaningful reps or give them confidence for next year, I give them credit. They came in, they battled, and that’s what you look for.”
After a couple of games on the road, North Reading will return home to host the 1-5 Essex Tech Hawks on Friday evening.
“Essex Tech’s record may not indicate it but they’re a well-coached team and have battled some CAL teams really well, including Lynnfield,” said Blum. “Our kids have worked hard to mentally prepare and I think they’ll be energized when they take the field.”