OTTO INDELICATO trots into the end zone for one of his 5 rushing TD’s in NR’s 48-20 win over Hamilton-Wenham at NRHS on Friday night. The sophomore rushed for 237 yards on 25 carries. Pictured blocking is Ryan Labb who also had a great night on the offensive line and on defense. (Eric Evans Photo)

 

 

Update post publication:
North Reading defeats Triton 45-0 (Oct. 6)

By DAN ZIMMERMAN

NORTH READING — Under a steady rainfall last Friday night, the North Reading Hornets football team took out its collective frustrations on Hamilton-Wenham, crushing the winless Generals in a game reminiscent of last season’s high scoring affairs.

After a pair of narrow overtime defeats to launch the 2023 campaign, North Reading carved out a comfortable three-score halftime advantage over the visiting Generals and coasted to a 48-20 final to claim the first win of the season.

With the wet conditions, the Hornets turned to their running game and Otto Indelicato, who was again subbing for the sidelined Will Batten. Indelicato made the most of the opportunity, amassing an impressive 237-yards on 25 carries, along with 5 rushing TDs to lead the team.

“We’ve watched Otto grow and develop before our very eyes,” said coach Ed Blum, who is now 1-2 overall on the young season. “He runs hard and with a low pad level, is very difficult to tackle.”

Blum gave well-deserved credit to the offensive line which has quickly become a united front.

“Ryan Labb, David Tran, James Fodera, CJ Humber and Zach Demetri were staying on their blocks and did an unbelievable job creating holes for Otto,” said Blum. “The run game set the tone for most of the night. It was a great overall team effort.”

Indelicato made his presence known with a 30-yard TD rush to claim a first quarter lead. In the earlier contests, the Hornets struggled mightily with PATs, both kicking and 2-point conversions. But senior Logan Lamont seems to have found the knack, successfully booting 6 of 7 tries.

QB Jason Berry, who was 23-of-36 for 230-yards in his previous outing against Pentucket, was limited to 5-of-7 for 75-yards, again, due to the risk of throwing a wet ball. Berry was, however, able to connect with Gavin Brady for a 27-yard TD and a 13-0 Hornet advantage, late in the first frame.

 

THE HORNETS celebrate James McLoughlin’s (51) fumble recovery in their win over Hamilton-Wenham last week. (Eric Evans Photo)

 

Hamilton-Wenham cut into the deficit with a 3-yard TD from Chris Collins in the second quarter but the Hornets soon restored the two-score lead when Brandon Eng returned a kick for 60-yards. The stubborn Generals snapped back again when QB Henry Stinson lofted one to Cooper Soolman for a 67-yarder to draw to within one score.

North Reading answered, and then some, as Indelicato reeled off four unanswered rushing TDs to put it out of reach. Before the second half came to a close, the sophomore tailback added a 25-yarder followed by a 5-yarder on the next possession. Of note, on the latter of the two TDs, the Hornet defense impressed, specifically Labb, who forced a fumble and James McLoughlin who recovered the turnover. Defensively, North Reading also welcomed back Anthony Corvino, who was banged-up against Pentucket two weeks earlier.

“It was great to have Corvino back on the field,” said Blum. “He is a great leader and his teammates feed off his energy.”

After the intermission, Indelicato picked up where he left off, rumbling in from the 6-yard-line for an insurmountable 41-12 lead. Each team traded fourth quarter scores, with Indelicato capping his productive night with a 7-yarder, followed by Stinson 5-yard TD rush for the Generals.

“This week’s practices featured a renewed energy and a real focus on the task at hand,” said Blum. “This was a team win in all three phases of the game.”

North Reading travels to face the 3-1 Triton Vikings on Friday night at 7 p.m.