THE HORNETS get ready to take the field against the Pioneers in the 65th Thanksgiving Game. (Eric Evans Photo)
By DAN ZIMMERMAN
NORTH READING — In last week’s Thanksgiving skirmish with Lynnfield, North Reading battled like a headstrong prizefighter, repeatedly knocked to the canvas only to rally back each time. Time ran out on the Hornets, however, as they fell just shy of completing a remarkable comeback.
Trailing by three scores as the fourth quarter got underway, North Reading put points on the board on three straight possessions to narrow the gap. But a Pioneers’ 50-yard rushing TD in the midst of the resurgence proved too much to overcome. Under a cold, unrelenting rainfall, the Pioneers would go on to claim the 65th annual meeting by a final score of 43-36. It marked the third straight holiday win for Lynnfield which wrapped up the 2024 season at 9-2.
GAVIN BRADY had two receiving touchdowns and a kick return touchdown against Lynnfield on Thanksgiving. (Eric Evans Photo)
Small victory in defeat, perhaps, but the Hornets far exceeded the combined 6-points scored in the previous two Thanksgiving meetings with their rival.
“I’m really proud of our kids,” said North Reading coach Ed Blum, who closed out 2024 with an 8-3 overall record. “Their growth since this time last year has been impressive. Unlike the last two Thanksgiving games against Lynnfield, we were evenly-matched this time around and played them for a full 48 minutes.”
If Lynnfield had an Achilles Heel, it was special teams’ execution. North Reading feasted on returns, including an early 62-yarder by Tanner DuPriest to the Lynnfield 8-yard-line. Quarterback Jason Berry quickly made good on the red zone visit, finding Gavin Brady for a go-ahead score.
Lynnfield answered without delay, knotting the score on QB Tyler Adamo’s 7-yard rush but once again, North Reading captured the lead, 14-7, on a 55-yard Berry-Brady linkup. Two plays, two scores, and the Hornets were making inroads. Unfortunately, the good times were fleeting. The Pioneers capitalized on back-to-back takeaways both ultimately leading to Jared Bernabei TD rushes and vaulting Lynnfield ahead at the half, 22-14.
JASON BERRY threw for 158 yards and three touchdowns in a rainy Turkey Day matchup against rival Lynnfield. (Eric Evans Photo)
“Obviously, against a very good team like Lynnfield, you have to play as clean as possible,” said Blum. “We lost the turnover battle but then we came back with big plays. I was really proud of the way our kids responded to adversity and the challenges in this game.”
Lynnfield added points in the third quarter to extend the advantage to 36-14. Bernabei capped a 10-play, 63-yard series with a 5-yarder and later, added his fourth rushing TD of the morning, with a 31-yard rumble. Sandwiched between the two Pioneer scores, the Hornets thrilled the hardy North Reading faithful, many huddled beneath umbrellas, with a Berry 46-yard TD pass to top receiver Brady. The officials, who frequently whistled frivolous penalties, flagged the Hornets for an ineligible man downfield, negating the score.
OTTO INDELICATO breaks through the Lynnfield defense in the 65th Thanksgiving Game at Arthur J. Kenney Field. (Eric Evans Photo)
With 5:17 remaining in the game, Otto Indelicato polished off a brief series from the 3-yard-line to give the Hornets a glimmer of hope. A 50-yard rushing TD by Lynnfield’s Spencer D’Augusta did little to dampen the Hornets’ spirits as Brady returned the ensuing kickoff 88-yards for a score.
In a dizzying sequence, Antonio Ricca successfully recovered an onside kick. The Hornets lost the ball on a pickoff but soon regained possession when Bernabei coughed it up. On the next play, Berry (11-of-19 for 158-yards, 3 TD, 2 INT) hit Ricca for a 35-yard TD to close to within a score, 43-36. But that would prove to be the curtain call on the Hornets’ season as Lynnfield burned the final 4-minutes with a pair of timely first downs.
Departing North Reading seniors include Lucas Do Val, Antonio Ricca, Christian Villarroel, David Tran, Tanner DuPriest, Andrew Taylor, Ryan Labb, James McLoughlin, James Fodera and Jason Puglia.
“They’ve accomplished so much over the past four years,” said Blum. “Across all the roles, they truly committed to something that was hard; a journey, and I’m proud of the way they have grown. There are a lot of bright things ahead for all of these guys. It’s always tough to say goodbye and we’ll certainly miss them.”
BEN COOK (No. 6) forces a fumble late in the 65th Thanksgiving game as Antonio Ricca (5), Tanner DuPriest (19) and Gavin Brady (3) look on. (Eric Evans Photo)
