Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lynnfield | 8 | 6 | 14 | 0 | 28 |
North Reading | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
Thursday, November, 26 By Jeff Hamrick
NORTH READING — It didn’t end on a high note, but that can’t diminish North Reading’s season.
Yesterday’s 28-10 loss to Thanksgiving rival Lynnfield dropped North Reading to 8-3 for the year.
“This was a great season,” said coach Jeff Wall, whose club beat Ipswich in the Division 4 North playoffs before being ousted in the North semis by Watertown.
“After losing to Watertown, we asked them to reflect on it and asked them if they were going to continue and play and they have.”
Yesterday began like much of the season — with North Reading hanging tough against a much larger opponent.
The Hornets spotted Lynnfield a long opening-game drive that netted an 8-0 lead, but responded with a 16-play drive of their own.
The possession included a pair of third-down conversions and one on fourth down. It took 9:52 off the clock before wrapping up on a 3-yard run by Kyle Bythrow.
“It was the seniors’ last game and they wanted to look back on it and know we left everything we had on the field,” junior running back Matt McCarthy said. “I definitely think we did that. This is the hardest I’ve ever worked with a team. It started in the summer, and it lasted the entire season. There wasn’t a single person who didn’t want (success), and I think our record reflects on that.”
North Reading grabbed a 10-8 lead moments after its touchdown on Angelo Disanto’s third field goal of the year, a 32-yarder. It was set up by Brian Cotter’s fumble recovery at the Pioneer 14.
But Lynnfield (8-3) used its size advantage — lines that included three players at least 6-foot-1 and each weighing closer to 300 than 200 — to wear down the Hornets after intermission.
The Pioneers scored the game’s final 20 points, including 14 in the decisive third quarter, to seal the victory.
“The seniors (who have gone 19-14 the past three years) played a huge role in establishing this program,” said coach Wall.
McCarthy was held in check with 20 carries for 59 yards. He still finished the season with area highs in touchdowns (22, tied for first) and rushing yards (1,546).
He’ll be back as will sophomore quarterback Bythrow and four of their five offensive linemen.
“We’re bringing a lot of kids back,” Wall said. “We’re very excited for next year. I believe we’re bringing back eight on defense and the same on offense, so the future looks bright.”
First Quarter
L —Jake McHugh 4 run (Drew Balestrieri run) 6:06
Second Quarter
NR — Kyle Bythrow 3 run (Angelo Disanto kick) 7:14
NR — FG Disanto 32, 4:47
L — McHugh 19 run (run failed) 1:18
Third Quarter
L — Balestrieri 1 run (Dan Bronshvayg kick) 7:46
L — CJ Finn 28 pass from Alex Soden (Bronshvayg kick) 3:02
INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
RUSHING: Lynnfield (42-189) — Drew McCarthy 20-95, McHugh 6-41, Balestrieri 10-41, Soden 1-15, Anthony Murphy 3-4, Nathan Drislane 1-0, Jack Razzaboni 1-(-7); North Reading (35-114) — Matt McCarthy 20-59, Bythrow 5-17, Nick Colangelo 1-12, Nick Copelas 1-10, John Merullo 5-10, Aaron Giangrande 1-3, David Smith 1-2, Chris Vella 1-1
PASSING: Lynnfield — McHugh 3-5-56; Soden 1-1-28; North Reading — Bythrow 3-5-2, 0 interceptions
RECEIVING: Lynnfield — Louis Ellis 3-33, finn 1-28, Esaie Philantrope 1-13; North Reading — Smith 1-3, McCarthy 1-0, Merullo 1-(-1)
189 Park St.
North Reading, MA 01864
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Team | League | Overall | PF-PA |
---|---|---|---|
Lynnfield | 1-0-0 | 2-1-0 | 97-45 |
North Reading | 4-1-0 | 8-3-0 | 258-145 |
Amesbury | 0-0-0 | 1-1-0 | 27-28 |
Hamilton-Wenham | 0-1-0 | 1-1-0 | 34-49 |
Ipswich | 0-2-0 | 1-3-0 | 30-117 |
Newburyport | 0-1-0 | 0-2-0 | 22-68 |
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