Published November 8, 2018

By ANDREW MOUNTER

MELROSE — The North Reading football Hornets were defeated for the second straight week, losing 28-15 to the Melrose Red Raiders last Friday night at Fred Green Memorial Field.

This was the second straight year these two met on the same field and it was the same result.

That did not stop Hornet Head Coach Eddie Blum from thinking positively after the loss.

“I thought our players competed,” said Blum. “Melrose is a good team with good size and our kids fought for 44 minutes. It was a gutsy performance by a lot of them and I couldn’t be prouder of them.”

THE HORNETS will look to get back in the win column tomorrow night against Somerville at home.
(John Friberg Photo)

The Green and Gold got the ball first but went three-and-out and the Red Raiders took advantage on their first drive of the game, going eight plays and 70 yards, concluding with a tailback rush from Kevin Peete for a 1-yard touchdown. The extra point went through the goal posts and it was 7-0 halfway through the first quarter.

The Hornets would respond with a nice drive of their own, set up by a solid kick return by junior Jack Keller, who went 44 yards to the Melrose 30-yard line. It took seven plays to get into the end zone, with the drive capped off by a 10-yard toss from senior captain quarterback Matt Solecki to junior receiver Matt Luciano.

CAPTAIN Alex D’Ambrosio found the end zone again on Friday night in Melrose on a 20-yard reception from captain QB Matt Solecki. (John Friberg Photo)

North Reading went for two as Keller got the direct snap and crossed the goal line for an 8-7 lead.

The score would stay that way until halftime. The second quarter was strange as both teams had chances to score more points but they could not finish the job as turnovers and defensive stands halted productive series.

The Red Raiders would get the ball first in the second half and like the first possession of the game, took the ball back to end zone on a Billy Pesce rush from three yards out. This time Melrose went for the two-point conversion and got the two points thanks to tailback Kevin Peete’s rush, making it 15-8 Melrose.

The Hornets would answer right back on a nice pass from Solecki to a senior running back and captain Alex D’Ambrosio for a 20-yard touchdown. D’Ambrosio would kick the extra-point, tying the game at 15.

Solecki had one of the best games of his career, going 18 for 33, 255 yards with two touchdowns. Coach Blum was impressed.

“Solecki just continues to grow as a player and his comfort as a leader and quarterback,” said Blum. “He works hard to get better working on his mechanics and working to understand the game. He’s an ultimate competitor and I’m glad to have him as our QB.”

The Rad Raiders would have a great fourth quarter thanks to two touchdowns by Brendan Fennell. The home team’s defense came up with key stops to give them a 28-15 win.

The Hornets are now 5-4 in the 2018 season and will have one more game before the big Thanksgiving game against archrival Lynnfield.

The Hornets will play a road game at Somerville tomorrow night at 7 p.m. at Dilboy Stadium.

“They are another team that’s well-coached,” said Blum of Somerville. “They play a tough regular season schedule and have had a couple nice wins recently. They’ll be another challenge for us.”