By DAN ZIMMERMAN
WALTHAM — Six months have passed since the North Reading Hornets football team celebrated the program’s first-ever Super Bowl victory and yet the accolades and honors continue to materialize for a pair of topnotch athletes who contributed with distinction toward that historic accomplishment.
Last Friday evening, Alex Carucci and Sam Morelli made the trip to Bentley College so they could participate in the 45th annual Shriner’s All-Star Classic. Both young men, recent 2023 North Reading graduates, were selected from a large pool of candidates who are considered the “best of the best” in high school football circles. Joining them on the sidelines as one of the North Division coaches was the Hornets’ own Ed Blum.
“Being selected was a great honor but first and foremost for me are the reasons behind this game,” said Blum, referring to the Shriner’s mission, which is to provide no-cost medical care and burn treatment for children via a network of 22 hospitals. “The Shriner’s people do unbelievable work for so many children.”
Blum went on to add that his selection was also a “reflection of the players and teams I have had the privilege to coach these last few years and the success we were fortunate enough to enjoy.”
Leading that successful run was quarterback Alex Carucci and linebacker Sam Morelli, a talented tandem whose accomplishments included an enviable 21-4 two-year record and of course, last year’s crowning achievement, the MIAA Division 5 Championship Title.
“It was a meaningful experience, playing in the Shriner’s game and playing football with Alex and coach Blum one last time,” said Morelli, who often struck fear in the hearts of many Cape Ann League QBs during his memorable career. “It was an honor to be selected, not only to play with some of the best football players in MA, but for the cause. It was really powerful playing for something so important.”
Carucci agreed with his teammate that the game was all about the Shriner’s purpose but he was also pleased to have a chance to join 100 of the finest that Bay State football has to offer.
“I was really excited about it because it was a good opportunity to compete with and against some of the best athletes and see where I stood in comparison,” said Carucci, who was chosen for his skills at defensive back. “I was in for about half the snaps which was plenty. I was only able to make a few practices because of baseball and graduation conflicts, but I think I adapted quickly.”
The North squad prevailed in a close one, claiming a 17-14 win with a last second field goal. Carucci agreed that the clutch finish was similar to a number of recent North Reading nail biters.
“I was so pleased that Alex Carucci and Sam Morelli were invited to play in the Shriner’s game,” said Blum. “These two, like so many of their graduated classmates, did an unbelievable job these last four years representing themselves, their families, the program, and the Town of North Reading.”
In an ironic twist, Carucci will be playing his college football at Union in Schenectady, New York while his teammate Morelli will be his opponent, plying his trade for St. Lawrence University in Canton, New York. These two Division 3 schools compete against each other in the Liberty League. But no matter what happens at the next level, lifelong memories were made for both of these young men on the familiar gridiron at North Reading.
“It was only fitting that they were given one last opportunity to represent North Reading,” said Blum. “To be members of the Shriner’s North team just adds to a long list of individual and collective accomplishments they have earned across all sports and academically over their high school careers. I am so proud of Alex Carucci, Sam Morelli, and the rest of the graduated football class of 2023 and excited to follow all their journeys into the next part of their lives.”