Published in the September 15, 2016 edition
WINNING SCORE. Senior Matt McCarthy put the Hornets ahead, 20–7, with his third touchdown against Ipswich. This turned out to be the winning score. (John Friberg Photo)
By ANDREW MOUNTER
NORTH READING — The North Reading High School football squad started the 2016 season on a high note as they defeated the Ipswich Tigers 21–13, in front of an enthusiastic and cheerful home crowd at Arthur Kenney Field last Friday night. Perhaps because they blew out the Tigers twice last season and had, at one point, a comfortable lead in this one, some of the players on the Hornet team seemed to be actually a little down about their performance after Friday’s win. But really, the game wasn’t as close as the score indicates. And while Head Coach Jeff Wall saw plenty of signs that his team needs improvement in areas, he was still proud of how they played.
“We do have a lot to improve on. We did win, but looking into my players’ eyes, I can see they are a little disappointed in how we played,” said Wall. “Our defense didn’t allow a first down until the second–to–last play of the game, so the defense played very well tonight. There were a few plays that we allowed that kept them in the game, but we can work on that. I’m glad that in looking at them, they seemed a little disappointed. We will come in next week, learn what we did wrong and we’ll be better.”
The game started off as a defensive struggle as both offenses were testing out what plays would work to beat each other’s defense — especially the Green and Gold, because this was the first game the Hornets ran their new pistol spread offense under game conditions.
The scoring didn’t start until the midway point of the second quarter when senior captain Matt McCarthy went basically untouched for 86 yards on a punt return to give the Hornets their first touchdown the year. Senior captain Bob O’Donnell kicked his first extra point of the season and it was 7 – 0, North Reading at the half.
McCarthy seemed to not lose a step after a fantastic 2015, as the running back rushed for 157 yards on 20 carries Friday night. His coach is always impressed how good McCarthy is. “We have to find ways of getting the ball to him, he is always lightning in a bottle, he can make things happen,” said Wall. “It doesn’t matter the down or distance, he’s a warrior, a phenomenal athlete, and a phenomenal young man. He competes more than I have ever seen. He’s by far the best running back in the Cape Ann League.”
The Hornets would increase their lead to 14–0 early in the third quarter, as McCarthy scored again, this time on a 3–yard run, which was set up by the prior play, a 46–yard ramble through the defense. O’Donnell pounded the extra point through the uprights to give the Green and Gold a 14 – 0 lead after three quarters of play.
Ipswich managed to get on the score board in the fourth quarter thanks to a fumble recovery near the end zone and scooped up by Tigers defensive lineman Kieran McCormick for the touchdown. The extra point was made good by Adam Fryer and the Tigers, despite being contained up until this point, were suddenly within 7 points.
As Coach Wall said earlier in this article, his defense turned in a great performance, only allowing 13 yards on the ground and 86 yards through the air as defensive linemen O’Donnell, John Arena, and defensive back John Merullo made the Tigers pay once any of them had the ball. Unfortunately, 67 of those yards were gained on a Hail Mary touchdown pass from Ben Yanakakis to Charlie Gillis to squeak the within an extra point of a tie, but the extra point attempt went wide left so the Hornets still had the lead by the slimmest of margins, 14–13.
On the ensuing offensive drive, the Green and Gold came right back down the field and put the game away thanks to five rushes of 10 or more yards by Merullo and McCarthy that was capped off by a 22–yard run into the end zone by McCarthy. O’Donnell’s extra point was true once again, giving his team a 21–13 opening night victory.
The Green and Gold will be back at it on Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. against the always tough Hamilton–Wenham Generals at Hamilton–Wenham High School. The General are looking for bit revenge as the Hornets have taken the last two meetings including last year’s 42–0 blowout in North Reading.
