North Reading Stuns Medfield, Overcomes 13-Point Deficit to Win

UPDATE: In a stunning turnaround, North Reading has defeated Medfield 21-20 in the Division 5 quarterfinals, overcoming a 13-point deficit at halftime. The Hornets’ remarkable second-half defense shut out the Warriors, propelling them to the state semifinals against No. 1 Shawsheen.

The game unfolded at Calvin George Fisher Field on July 14, 2023, where Medfield had dominated in the first half, leading 20-7 thanks to three rushing touchdowns from different players. However, the fifth-seeded Hornets rallied in the second half, showcasing exceptional team defense and resilience.

Head coach Ed Blum praised his players, stating, “The kids played great fundamental, team defense. They just dug deep and made a lot of plays. It was incredible.” North Reading (9-1) stifled Medfield’s high-octane offense, allowing the Warriors (9-1) only one first down during their first three drives of the second half.

Key moments included a critical touchdown by Otto Indelicato, who scored on a one-yard plunge, narrowing the gap to 20-14 with just over five minutes remaining in the third quarter. The Hornets then executed a brilliant play early in the fourth. Quarterback Jason Berry connected with top receiver Brady McCormack, who caught a pass and dashed for a 13-yard touchdown, giving North Reading the lead for the first time in the game.

With the extra point from Xander Villarroel, the Hornets surged ahead. “It was a great design play. Great blocking by the linemen, just great offensive execution to get the job done,” said Brady, who finished with 7 catches for 100 yards.

As the clock wound down, North Reading’s defense faced a final onslaught from Medfield, who reached the Hornets’ 18-yard line in the last seconds. In a nail-biting finish, North Reading held strong, forcing back-to-back incompletions to secure the victory.

Blum emphasized the importance of teamwork during such critical moments: “When you get in moments of this adversity, it’s doing it for each other and digging a little deeper. They just had a little bit more, and each play they just kept doing it. It was awesome.”

With this thrilling win, North Reading advances to face the top-seeded Shawsheen, as they look to continue their remarkable playoff journey. Fans are eagerly awaiting this next matchup, which promises to be equally electrifying.