THE DEFENSE made a stand late in the game to seal a 42-34 win over Newburyport on Friday night. Pictured from left to right is Lucas Do Val, James Fodera and Andrew Taylor. (Eric Evans Photo)
After press time:
North Reading falls to Norwell 39-28 (Nov. 8)
By DAN ZIMMERMAN
NEWBURYPORT — Last Friday night in Newburyport, the North Reading Hornets threw caution to the wind, literally, executing an aerial attack despite swirling gusts which, at times, exceeded 30 miles-per-hour.
The North Reading coaching staff put their trust in QB Jason Berry who exceeded expectations, completing 16-of-21 for 239-yards, including four TDs in the first half to lead the Hornets to a 42-34 win.
North Reading withstood a late Newburyport rally to improve to 7-1 overall, moved up to 13th in the MIAA Division 6 Power Rankings and after missing out last season, landed a prized playoff berth. The Hornets will travel to face No. 4-seed Norwell in the opening round on Friday at 7 p.m.
“We knew this game with Newburyport was going to be a dogfight,” said North Reading Coach Ed Blum. “We have to give the offensive coaching staff and the offense a ton of credit. The execution of the game plan was phenomenal.”
The Hornets struck on the first play from scrimmage as Berry faked a lateral, turned, and launched a deep ball to Antonio Ricca, who coasted in for a 45-yard TD unhindered. The Clippers answered with equal firepower, however, as tailback Troy Varoudakis sprinted 43-yards for an equalizer.
A shootout began to take shape as the combatants traded scores on subsequent possessions. North Reading made it 14-7 on a Berry 4-yard flare to Tanner DuPriest while Clipper QB Colin Fuller tied it with a 2-yard rush. As the second quarter got underway, it was the Hornets back on top, 21-14, as Berry found DuPriest for a 41-yard linkup.
TANNER DUPRIEST had 3 TD’s in North Reading’s win over Newburyport on Friday night with 2 receiving TD’s and a rushing score. (Eric Evans Photo)
“We came in tonight knowing that our season was on the line,” said DuPriest, referring to MIAA rankings which might have dropped below the qualifying standard with a defeat in Newburyport. “We had a chip on our shoulder after not making it last year and we weren’t going to let that happen again. Our team came together tonight when we needed it most.”
As time wound down in the half, there was a slight change in the pattern. Newburyport did, in fact, score on a Fuller 1-yard lean after driving 71-yards on 13-plays but Fuller, who was also the placekicker, saw his PAT blocked at the line, leaving the Clippers a point back, 21-20.
With 1:43 left before the break, Berry came out firing, completing 4-of-4 including his fourth consecutive TD toss, a 14-yarder to Gavin Brady for a 28-20 Hornet advantage.
“All Glory goes to God and I don’t know, there was just something in the air tonight,” said Berry, when asked about his uncanny ability to find receivers. “The wind was a bit of a factor but I feel that I have one of the best receiving corps in all of Division 6. They all stay with me after practices for extra work. This group is special.”
“For Berry to show up at a game like this, with the skill guys that he has, and the line giving him plenty of time – this was a heckova game by all of these guys,” said Blum.
JASON BERRY threw for 239 yards and 4 TD’s in NR’s thrilling 42-34 win against Newburyport in the regular season finale. Berry and the No. 13 Hornets will travel to No. 4 Norwell on Friday night at 7 p.m. for a Div. 6 first round game. (Eric Evans Photo)
North Reading established a 35-20 lead midway through the third frame on a 65-yard Pick-6 return from Lucas Do Val. The quarter ended with a Clippers TD, but DuPriest restored the two-score lead with a 62-yard sideline scamper.
Leading 42-26 with 8:41 remaining, one might have thought that the Hornets were safely in the driver’s seat. But Newburyport put a scare into the North Reading faithful when Fuller hit Eli Sirota for a 9-yarder. And the Clippers added a successful 2-point conversion, their first of the night, to make it a one-score game, 42-34.
Newburyport held the Hornets on the next possession, forcing a punt. With 1:20 left and 80-yards to cover, the Clippers nearly pulled it off. North Reading defended well but receiver Samuel Craig was very skilled with sideline grabs, preserving clock. Reaching the Hornet 7, there was time enough for one play to the end zone. Fuller went to his top receiver, Tyler Chorebanian, but the ball was in-and-out of his hands.
“We definitely knew what was at stake in Newburyport,” said Berry, referring to the playoff implications. “We needed to win or go home. We were in the same situation last year and did what we had to tonight to get the W.”
North Reading will now gear up for the 6-2 Norwell Clippers, a program which has outscored regular season opponents by a 237-107 margin.
