ANTONIO RICCA sheds a tackler on his 66-yard TD catch on the first play from scrimmage in NR’s 21-20 win over Dedham on Friday night at home. (Eric Evans Photo)
Published September 26, 2024
By DAN ZIMMERMAN
NORTH READING — The North Reading faithful who came out in support of their Hornets for last Friday night’s home-opener were treated to a fourth quarter they won’t soon forget.
With 1:11 remaining and North Reading clinging to a 21-14 lead over non-league opponent Dedham, the usually sure-handed Otto Indelicato lost the handle on his own 2-yard line. Marauders defensive back Ben Bogie pounced on the loose ball in the end zone to draw to within a 2-point conversion for a win. The Hornets special teams unit delivered, stuffing the try, to remain 1-point better.
Dedham wasn’t quite ready for the long bus ride home, however. The Marauders claimed an onside kick and moved the ball to the Hornet 27, setting up a 43-yard field goal attempt for the win. Kicker Paul Lupianez had plenty of leg but in his path was a four-inch wide bright yellow upright and just beyond, an expired scoreboard. North Reading had claimed a dramatic 21-20 triumph off a classic goalpost “doink.”
While coach Ed Blum was certainly content to escape with a win, he admitted that he wasn’t pleased with having to rely on luck down the stretch.
“I have mixed emotions about this,” said the coach, who improved to 2-0 on the young season. “We were lucky to win this game. We’re not fully there yet. They’re resilient but I don’t think it should have come down to that situation after our early success.”
Blum is likely referring to yet another quick start by the explosive Hornets, including a 66-yard TD from QB Jason Berry to Antonio Ricca on the first play from scrimmage. On the next possession, Berry found Indelicato from the 23 for a 14-0 lead midway through the opening quarter.
At the outset of the second frame, Dedham answered with a 1-yard TD lean from tailback AJ Pinete, who piled up 202-yards on 38-carries, mostly on second effort.
GLENN MELLO and the NRHS defense made a huge goal line stand during their one-point win last week. (Eric Evans Photo)
“Dedham played a tough brand of football tonight,” said Blum, who last faced the Marauders in a playoff tilt two years ago. “They kept grinding and attacking and had a great game plan. You have to tip your cap to them.”
Berry (8-of-12 for 188-yards) put the Hornets further ahead, 21-6, when he fired a 26-yarder to Lucas Do Val at the end of the half. It was the third TD pass of the night for the dynamic QB, seventh of the season.
Dedham consumed nearly the entire third quarter with a grueling 13-play, 80-yard scoring drive, polished off with a Pinete 5-yarder. The Marauder workhorse added a 2-pointer off a direct snap to draw to within a score.
There was a definitive momentum shift as the fourth and decisive quarter got underway. The Marauders pieced together yet another long drive, gaining the red zone despite three penalties. With 2:25 remaining and armed with a 1st-and-goal from the 4, Pinete went to work. The North Reading defense, led by Zack Morse, Ryan Labb, Tanner DuPriest, James Fodera, and Glenn Mello, answered with a goal line stand for the ages.
“Dedham had been pounding the ball the entire game,” said Mello, when asked to describe the stand. “They were running the ball well and we needed to step up as a defense. Our coaches came up with a great game plan and it worked out well for us.”
“This was a learning experience,” said Blum. “There’s so much to learn from this game and so much to take away from it. We needed to face a little adversity. The true test of character will be revealed with how they respond and how we build off of this.”
On Friday evening, the Hornets will host 0-2 Hamilton-Wenham, marking the final non-league contest before venturing into six consecutive Cape Ann League matchups.
