North Reading Stuns Medfield with 13-Point Comeback Win

UPDATE: In a thrilling turn of events, the North Reading Hornets achieved a stunning 21-20 victory over the Medfield Warriors in the Division 5 quarterfinals, overcoming a daunting 13-point deficit at Calvin George Fisher Field on Friday night.

With their season hanging in the balance, North Reading’s defense made a remarkable stand, shutting out Medfield in the second half. The Hornets’ head coach, Ed Blum, praised his team’s effort, stating, “The kids played great fundamental, team defense… It was incredible.”

Medfield, who had been dominant with a powerful offense throughout the season, took a commanding lead of 20-7 at halftime thanks to three rushing touchdowns from different players. However, North Reading (9-1) flipped the script in the second half, limiting Medfield (9-1) to just one first down during their initial three possessions.

The momentum shifted when North Reading’s Otto Indelicato scored on a one-yard run, narrowing the gap to 20-14 with just over five minutes left in the third quarter. The Hornets continued to capitalize on Medfield’s defensive lapses, as quarterback Jason Berry connected with Brady, his top receiver, for a crucial 13-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter. Berry completed 19 of 25 passes for a total of 224 yards, while Brady recorded 7 catches for 100 yards, showcasing an impressive offensive execution.

“It was a great design play,” Brady said of the game-winning score. “Great blocking by the linemen, just great offensive execution to get the job done.”

As the game neared its conclusion, North Reading’s defense delivered a final stand. Medfield moved to the Hornets’ 18-yard line in the dying seconds, but North Reading forced two critical incompletions to seal their victory. “When you get in moments of this adversity, it’s doing it for each other and digging a little deeper,” Blum reflected. “It was awesome.”

With this victory, North Reading advances to face the top-seeded Shawsheen in the state semifinals. Fans and players alike are buzzing with excitement over this unexpected comeback, marking a pivotal moment in their season.

Stay tuned as we bring you more updates on North Reading’s journey as they aim for the championship!