Published November 21, 2019
By DAN ZIMMERMAN
NORTH READING — Several months ago, when 90-degree temperatures were still common and the new school year was just getting underway, the North Reading football team made the brief trip over to Wakefield and handed the Warriors a 14-6 preseason defeat.
Ten games later, in a rematch, the Hornets were dealt a 42-35 defeat by a much-improved Warriors squad. North Reading has now suffered losses in three of their last four outings after reeling off six straight out of the gate.
Hosting Wakefield on Friday night, it was unlikely that the North Reading coaching staff had any interest in engaging in an offensive shootout, particularly with a club that came in averaging more than 30 points per game in their last four.
MATT LUCIANO had a strong game for the Hornets against Wakefield on Friday. (John Friberg Photo)
“I’m frustrated for our kids tonight,” said North Reading coach Ed Blum, who questioned the MIAA post-playoff format that routinely pits small schools against large in the consolation games. “They fought hard and I’m not happy with the way things played out for them.”
From a coaching standpoint, most would agree this contest could have used a little more defense. Both clubs, for the most part, chronically failed to slow the opposition’s forward progress to any degree. But from a spectator’s view, this was a highly-entertaining, action-packed shootout. Along with 77 total points scored, there were nine lead changes, and the contest featured some of the most dramatic offensive plays seen this season. The Hornet faithful, huddling against the cold in the stands, were also treated to a pair of comebacks from two-touchdown deficits.
Throughout the season, Greg Demetri has proven to be a dangerous return man. Collecting the initial kickoff on his own 6, Demetri set off in search of decent field position for the all-important opening drive. He delivered a 56-yarder to set up the Hornets on the Wakefield 39. A brief eight plays later, Will O’Leary put the Hornets in front with a 1-yarder.
The Warriors answered without delay, however, with 11 straight rushes capped with a 7-yard equalizer from fullback Danny Hurley.
As time wound down in the first quarter, Hornet QB Brian Heffernan found receivers Matt Luciano and Demetri, who hauled in his reception one-handed, for back-to-back 20-yarders. But the promising drive stalled on the Wakefield 31 and progressed no further.
GREG DEMETRI returns the opening kickoff 56 yards. The senior later scored a rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter against Wakefield on Friday night. (John Friberg Photo)
The Warriors moved ahead 14-7, quickly capitalizing on a pickoff of Heffernan. But North Reading proved resilient, with Heffernan wrapping up the next possession by rifling a 13-yard slant to Ryan Kavanaugh for the game-tying score at the half.
The Wakefield offensive scheme was uncomplicated and entirely predictable. With three potent backs in their arsenal, Aidan Sweeney, Tucker Stikeman, and Hurley, the Warriors simply pounded the ball. Save for several attempts by QB Alden Joseph in long yardage situations, it was all rush, including the 10-play, 75-yard scoring series after the break, polished off with a Sweeney 19-yarder.
Trailing 21-14 late in the third, North Reading went three-and-out but got the ball back quickly on Cam Randazzo’s fumble recovery on the Warrior 29. The Hornets were soon anchored in place after several negative yardage plays. Facing 4th-and-22 from the 30, Heffernan took the snap, faked right, wheeled left and fired, hitting Keller in stride for the TD. Robert “Mr. Automatic” Tammaro, perfect on the night, kicked the game-tying PAT with 1:31 left.
The Warriors’ Sweeney silenced the still-celebrating Hornet fans as he took off for the long play of the evening, a 57-yard TD romp to front his team, 28-21. Wakefield added insurance with 9:17 left in the game on Sweeney’s fourth score.
North Reading closed the gap to 35-28 on a 4-yard linkup from Heffernan to Keller with 5:25 left. Earlier, Keller went up, shredding a double team for a 25-yard catch on 4th-and-long, to extend the drive.
The comeback trail included one of those plays that require nerves of steel and great hands. Matt Guidebeck booted the onside kick with perfection and it was recovered by Ryan McCullough on the Wakefield 49. McCullough also hauled in a key 26-yard reception to lead the Hornets to another score, capped with a Demetri 7-yarder with 2:26 remaining.
“Ryan McCullough came up big in the fourth quarter,” Blum said of the sophomore. “He’s a young player who has been developing very nicely for us. He was happy that he could step up and help us the way he did. We also got huge contributions from Luciano and Kavanaugh.”
After the TD drew the Hornets to within a point at 35-34, the coaching staff briefly considered a two-point conversion try and the lead outright. Instead, Tammaro was deployed for the sure thing.
“We were thinking about the two-point play but with the amount of time left, it wasn’t necessarily going to guarantee that it would be for the win so we decided instead to go for one and tie it,” Blum explained.
Wakefield snapped the tie, however, forging ahead 42-35 with 1:05 left. As the Warriors threatened inside the red zone, Blum instructed his defense to let them score. The Hornets obliged, stepping aside as Sweeney jogged in his fifth TD.
If ever there was a time for Keller to run one back, the final kickoff return of the game was it. But despite his best effort, Keller landed on the Hornet 36 and the offense chose the worst time to misfire, progressing just six yards on four plays to wrap it up.
“It was a tough thing to execute in that situation,” said Blum who next hosts the 8-2 Lynnfield Pioneers on Thanksgiving morning. “Our strategy was to let Wakefield score, preserve the clock, and give our offense one more chance. We have some outstanding athletes and we were trying to get them in space. Our kids absolutely played their hearts out tonight.”
