Published November 29, 2018

By ANDREW MOUNTER

LYNNFIELD — The North Reading football Hornets totally dominated the Thanksgiving grudge match with archrivals, the hosting Lynnfield Pioneers, 32-0, from start to finish, ending off the 2018 season on a high note. On both sides of the ball, the Hornets controlled the game. While getting 323 yards of total offense, the defense only gave up 111 yards of total offense.

“I’m just happy for our players,” said Hornets Head Coach, Eddie Blum, only minutes after completing his first year at the helm. “They worked their tails off the past week and a half getting ready for Lynnfield. I’m just glad it showed today.”

CAPT. Matt Solecki had a huge day on Thanksgiving. The senior quarterback had two rushing touchdowns and a passing touchdown to lead NR to a 32-0 win over Lynnfield. (John Friberg Photo)

Like the game before against Somerville, North Reading had to deal with the harsh elements of New England weather. Instead of playing through a huge downpour, they had to play during one of the coldest Turkey Day’s on record. The announced temperature before kickoff was 15 degrees, with wind chills well into the single digits if not below zero. The wind was a factor as well and affected the kicking games for both teams.

Lynnfield received the ball first but went three-and-out. Because of the heavy winds going towards the ball, the Lynnfield punt to North Reading went only two yards, going to the Pioneer 29 yard line. The Hornets would take advantage of the nice field position and five plays later, got into the end zone for first time on a quarterback sneak by senior captain Matt Solecki, for a 12-yard score. With the wind to his back, senior captain Alex D’Ambrosio easily kicked the extra point through the uprights to make it 7-0, Green and Gold.

Before the end of the first quarter, North Reading would get on the scoreboard again thanks to Solecki’s second touchdown, this time from only 2-yards out. The score was set up nicely on the previous play when D’Ambrosio rumbled for a 43-yard run. The Hornets would go for the two-point conversion but it failed so it was only 13-0, road team.

CAPT. Mike Sheridan leading the defense to a shutout over Lynnfield on Thanksgiving wasn’t a surprise. His touchdown right before halftime? Well, that was a little more shocking, as he scored on a perfectly executed hook-and-ladder pitch from fellow senior Mike Mikula after a completion at the 6-yard line from quarterback Matt Solecki. (John Friberg Photo)

The Green-and-Gold would get one more score before halftime with just 20 seconds left, on a hook-and-ladder play to Mike Sheridan, taking 6 yards for the touchdown. D’Ambrosio hit the extra-point again and it was 21-0 at halftime.

Both town’s high school band played the halftime show and despite the extreme conditions played well.

The third quarter was very quiet but the fourth quarter, North Reading would finish the season strong, scoring on their last two posessions of the season. The first score of the second half was the third touchdown of the contest for Solecki, this time through the air, finding receiver Mike Mikula on a screen for a 74-yard score.

The last touchdown of the season would belong to junior tailback Jack Keller, on a 46-yard rush for glory, as he went to the end zone untouched. The extra-point would be short, making it 32-0, North Reading.

HEAD COACH Eddie Blum addresses the team after the big win on Thanksgiving. (John Friberg Photo)

The defense saved their best performance for last, pitching a shutout for the first time this season with strong efforts from seniors Jack Donohue and Matt Capozzoli and juniors Sean McCullough and Giovanni Colucciello.

“As a group, this team grew all year,” said Blum, assessing the 2018 season. “They kept getting better. The coaches and I demanded a lot from them and each and every time we pushed them and we had to respond to adversity, they stepped up. I’m proud of them.”

Congrats to the players and coaches for another successful season. Good luck to the outgoing seniors.