Published April 15, 2021
By DAN ZIMMERMAN
NORTH READING — It came down to the wire, requiring an inspiring defensive stand in the final minute, but the North Reading football team managed to pull out a dramatic 33-26 victory over a visiting Triton club on Friday night.
The Hornets overcame a shaky start to build a three-score lead by the end of the third quarter only to find themselves embroiled in a fight for survival as the scrappy Vikings rallied back to within a TD.
While the entire defensive contingent contributed during the pivotal final sequence, it was a sophomore who played a significant role in disrupting the Triton 2-minute offense. Defensive back Alex Carucci knocked down back-to-back throws from Viking QB Kyle Odoy, who had quickly moved the ball into range.
“I couldn’t have done it without my brothers on the defensive line, going after their quarterback and making him rush the ball like that,” said Carucci, who nearly picked off one of the passes. “We put in a lot of work this week, watching film and preparing ourselves to battle hard tonight.”
Prior to the kickoff, North Reading officials staged the traditional senior sendoff, announcing parent’s and athlete’s names, taking photos and distributing flowers to mothers. The conditions on the sun-drenched field and the spectator-filled stands were nothing short of spectacular, as temperatures flirted with 70 degrees.
The Vikings soon spoiled the feel-good atmosphere, however, when they claimed the lead on their opening possession. After North Reading went three-and-out at the outset, Triton claimed the ensuing punt and marched 69-yards on a dozen plays, capped with a 1-yard QB keeper. Throughout the game, Odoy and his primary tailback Kyle Scibetta proved elusive, combining for 254 yards rushing.
“Many factors came into play today,” said North Reading head coach Ed Blum, when asked how a game that seemed well in hand became a dogfight. “Triton had a bye week and extra time to prepare. And despite their record, they have a number of leaders over there, especially their senior quarterback, who is heading to the Naval Academy.”
Not to be denied on their home field on Senior Day, the Hornets answered without delay, engineering a game-tying score on the arm of QB Brian Heffernan, who was 4-for-4 on the series, finding Jack Donohue, Robert Tammaro and William Taylor twice to reach the red zone. Once there, it was Donohue adding the finishing touch with a 15-yard TD.
“It was great to have Jack back today,” said Blum. “He was following his blocks, making some nice cuts and using his breakaway speed. A kid like that makes our offense all the more dynamic.”
The combatants traded scores a minute apart midway through the second, with Donohue claiming his second from the 3 to put the Hornets in front, 14-7, followed soon after by Odoy connecting with Scibetta, who took full advantage of blown coverage for a 65-yard TD romp. While North Reading was stunned, the sideline took solace when Triton placekicker Eliot Lent dinged the PAT off the upright, leaving his team in arrears, 14-13.
North Reading tailback Will O’Leary, who has been used sparingly since sustaining an ankle injury weeks ago, soon made it 20-13 with a 6-yard TD rumble.
Heffernan was hitting receivers with his highly accurate slants, spreading the ball around to five different receivers, and throwing a perfect 12-for-12 in the first half. With 32 seconds left, the senior QB lofted one downfield to Tammaro, who had gained separation and easily polished off the 59-yard scoring play.
“Brian is the kind of guy, in a passing game like this, that makes the offense go,” said Blum, who improved to 3-2 overall with a pair of games remaining. “He was playing with confidence, seeing things defensively, and hitting open receivers. Unlike a lot of high school quarterbacks who tend to focus on a single favorite receiver, Brian is always looking for the open man and getting the ball to him.”
After the break, the North Reading defense and special teams took center stage. Triton saw one promising visit to the red zone negated on a pickoff of Odoy by Aidan O’Sullivan. And later, a punt was fumbled by the Vikings and recovered by John Jennings on the Triton 20. Several plays later, Brendan Scribner hauled in a 14-yarder from Heffernan to put the Hornets in front, 33-13 with 3:02 left in the third.
“We put in a solid week of practice and there was a lot of energy on this team,” said Heffernan, who turned in a career day completing 15-of-18 for 182 yards and a pair of TDs. “We had to protect the home field and I think the seniors came together to ensure that. All of the scoring today was by seniors.”
The winless Vikings fought back valiantly in the fourth quarter, scoring a pair to draw to within a score. Scibetta punched in both, from the 1-yard-line and later, from the 5 to cut the deficit to 33-26.
Triton got the ball back with 2-minutes left and a full compliment of time outs. The Vikings weren’t deterred when Tammaro launched a 54-yard punt to set them back on their own 11. But they were slowed and eventually stopped when Carucci and company kept their poise and stonewalled the rally.
The Hornets are in the midst of a win-loss pattern, claiming all three home games thus far while dropping both road contests. Next up is a Friday night trip to face the 2-2 Newburyport Clippers.
“It all comes down to doing the little things and getting better at practice,” said Blum. “We scrimmaged Newburyport at the start of the season and we know they’re a senior-heavy team. It’s going to take a good week of practice and our best effort to compete with them.”
