THE HORNETS took Pentucket Stadium in West Newbury by storm on Friday night, beating the Panthers 31-12 and improving to 6-1 on the season. (Eric Evans Photo)
By DAN ZIMMERMAN
WEST NEWBURY — The sting of the season’s first defeat behind them, the North Reading Hornets bounced back with a convincing 31-12 win over Cape Ann League foe Pentucket on Friday night.
On the strength of back-to-back Otto Indelicato (125-yards on 22 carries) rushing TDs in the second half, North Reading was able to shake off a stubborn Panthers club to improve to 6-1 overall and remain in the hunt for a postseason berth.
In recent weeks, the Hornets have consistently dominated games following the intermission.
“Credit to the kids for a disciplined second half of football tonight,” said North Reading Coach Ed Blum. “In the locker room, they listened carefully to the coaching adjustments and really began to execute offensively. They worked together and found a way to make it happen.”
The Hornets gambled on the opening possession, with a failed attempt to convert on a 4th-and-2 from their own 39. Pentucket claimed the ball on downs and quickly capitalized, as QB Steven Harper found Panthers top-receiver Aaron Ketschke for a 29-yard TD. North Reading senior Lucas Do Val made his presence known, blocking the PAT, and would later add several key defensive plays.
North Reading would not be denied on the second possession. In this series, the Hornets became rooted in the red zone, making little forward progress. Facing a 4th-and-goal on the 3, Blum decided to forgo a chip shot field goal, instead putting the ball in the capable hands of QB Jason Berry, who delivered, hitting Gavin Brady with a short pass to move in front, 7-6.
“When you get into the red zone, those are certainly opportunities that we should take advantage of,” said Blum, when asked about passing up on a pair of field goal tries. “We have to learn to finish those drives, even if it takes four downs.”
OTTO INDELICATO, nicknamed ‘Otto-Matic’ by Hornet Nation, racked up 125 rushing yards and 3 TD’s in NR’s 31-12 win over Pentucket on Friday night. (Eric Evans Photo)
Pentucket claimed a 12-7 lead midway through the second quarter on a Harper 9-yard strike to Jackson Miller. But the Hornets answered as Indelicato plunged in from the 1-yard-line to cap a 10-play, 57-yard series. North Reading placekicker Xander Villarroel was later true on a 35-yard field goal for a 17-12 lead as time expired on the half.
Indelicato’s first rushing score was only a preview of coming attractions. As the North Reading faithful chanted “Otto-Matic,” the dynamic tailback made it a hat trick, adding second half TD rushes of 9 and 6 yards, effectively sealing the Panthers’ fate.
The Hornets defense was lights-out, allowing only 69-yards in total offense after the break. Standout players included Brady and Do Val, both who picked off Harper throws in the final frame.
“First of all, I just want to give thanks to God and all of my teammates,” said Do Val, who was also instrumental in ending a promising drive with a QB sack. “This couldn’t have been done without my coaches and my friends. They put me in a place where I can really play and it paid off tonight.”
In the current MIAA Division 6 rankings, North Reading is 15th of 30 teams. The top-16 programs are granted a playoff berth.
North Reading will travel to face the 3-4 Newburyport Clippers on Friday at 6:30 p.m.
