MEET THE 2022 SUPER BOWL CHAMPIONS! The elated North Reading High School varsity football team celebrates winning the school’s first ever Super Bowl title Friday night at Gillette Stadium. The Hornets brought home the Division 5 trophy with a convincing 44-28 victory over the Shawsheen Valley Tech Rams. (Eric Evans Photo)

Hornets beat Shawsheen 44-28 for first state title

By DAN ZIMMERMAN

FOXBORO – If you happen to live near lower Haverhill Street, Ryers or anywhere in the vicinity of North Reading High School and noticed the strident sounds of wailing sirens and blaring air horns last Friday night, there was no cause for alarm. What you heard were the town’s first responders, police and fire, providing a hero’s welcome for the 2022 MIAA Division 5 football champion North Reading Hornets.

As the buses carrying the team climbed the hill to their school, the players were treated to yet another emotional greeting as scores of North Reading faithful lined the roadway and crowded the parking lot, expressing their gratitude for a remarkable achievement.

ALEX CARUCCI had two passing TD’s and two rushing TD’s in NR’s Super Bowl victory over Shawsheen on Dec. 2 at Gillette Stadium. (Eric Evans Photo)

“It became very clear that a huge portion of our community came out to support us,” said coach Ed Blum, when asked about the spirited reception. “Taking that escorted drive around town was such a cool experience. I hope the kids enjoyed it. For me, the ultimate moment was reaching the school and seeing all the parents, fans, and supporters waiting to greet us.”

Two hours earlier and 46 miles to the south at Gillette Stadium, North Reading was putting the finishing touches on a decisive 44-28 defeat over the previously unbeaten Shawsheen Tech Rams. It marked the first championship in North Reading football history and erased the agony of last year’s defeat on the big stage.

ED BLUM (center) got a Gatorade bath and an epic celebration for leading his Hornets to the first Super Bowl title in NRHS history. (Adele Vittozzi Photo)

“We were one step away last year and we remembered the pain of walking off that field,” said QB Alex Carucci, referring to the 14-7 Super Bowl loss to Swampscott a year ago. “We all took pictures of that scoreboard and it fueled us to accomplish more. Winning the Super Bowl this year was pretty surreal. I don’t think I’ve really grasped it yet.”

In a career performance, Carucci threw a pair of touchdown passes and chipped in two rushing scores, including a 90-yarder in the fourth quarter that broke the back of the Rams.

North Reading claimed the opening possession and capitalized, covering 72-yards on 9 plays, capped with a Carucci to Will Batten 2-yard toss. Shawsheen answered on the final play of the first quarter as Rams QB Sid Tildsley connected with Mavrick Boudreau for a 33-yarder to even the contest at 7-7.

Shawsheen captured a 14-7 lead on a Tildsley 4-yard leap early in the second but the Hornets would have the last say in the first half, as Carucci rolled right and rifled a 5-yard pass to Matt Guidebeck to knot the score at 14.

“That was the worst half of football we’d played all year,” admitted Blum. “We were fortunate to be tied at halftime. In the locker room, we reminded ourselves what we had done all season long. The adjustments we made inspired them, including adding Will Batten as a linebacker. I think it sparked the defense. The defensive line began to dominate and control their running game, forcing them to pass. With our pressure, they certainly had to earn some of those yards.”

Batten, in his role as a tailback, put North Reading in front 20-14 with a 39-yard rushing score early in the third. On their next possession, the Hornets were handed enviable field position with a short punt but had little success moving the ball and soon faced a fourth-and-long. Enter Guidebeck, who booted a 37-yarder to move the Hornets ahead by two scores, 23-14.

WILL BATTEN breaks free against Shawsheen in the Super Bowl. The junior RB had two rushing TD’s and a receiving TD in the win. (Adele Vittozzi Photo)

“I honestly had a ton of confidence when coach said field goal,” said the premier kicker, who two weeks earlier clinched a return to Gillette with his game-winning 39-yarder against Bishop Fenwick. “I knew our special operations was on point. I just trusted my fundamentals and the rest was muscle memory. I took a deep breath and executed. Funny, but I didn’t know how far the kick was until after the game.”

As the fourth frame got underway, Carucci was off and running again, adding insurance with a 47-yard TD. Shawsheen wouldn’t go quietly, however, scoring with 6:23 remaining to close the gap, 30-20. That’s when Carucci broke one for 90-yards to salt the game away.

THE HORNETS’ Tanner DuPriest recovers a fumble in the Super Bowl victory over Shawsheen on Friday night. (Adele Vittozzi Photo)

“Coming out of the huddle, I was thinking maybe I could break free,” recalled the QB. “I took the edge but wasn’t sure I had the juice until I looked up at the Jumbotron and saw I was a few yards ahead of the nearest defender.”

The teams traded scores in the waning minutes, with Batten adding a 33-yarder and Tildsley answering with a 1-yarder.

“All of the hard work paid off and it’s an awesome feeling to represent your town and your school with such an accomplishment,” said Guidebeck. “When the clock finally struck zero, it was extremely emotional for everyone because we had fulfilled our dream.”

RYAN McGUIRE (1) celebrates with Alex Carucci after Carucci’s 90-yard TD run to seal the 2022 Div. 5 state championship. (Adele Vittozzi Photo)

“I can remember all of the pain from last year and that was really motivating,” said Sam Morelli, who manned both lines but made his mark as a linebacker. “When we struggled with the training over the summer, all we had to do was think about Swampscott raising that trophy. This means the world to us. We collectively sacrificed so much to get to this point.”

“I couldn’t be prouder of our kids,” said Blum, who wrapped up the 2022 campaign with 11 wins, 2 losses, and one shiny new championship trophy. “You talk about a special group of players and so much of our motivation as coaches was really trying to accomplish this for them. I hope the players understand that all of the coaches care deeply about them and did what had to be done to help them realize their dream. It was awesome to be part of this.”