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

UPDATE: In a stunning comeback, North Reading overcame a 13-point deficit to defeat Medfield 21-20 in the Division 5 quarterfinals Friday night at Calvin George Fisher Field. With their season on the line, the fifth-seeded Hornets shut out the fourth-seeded Warriors in the second half, securing their place in the state semifinals.

No team had managed to contain Medfield’s explosive offense this season, but North Reading’s defense rose to the occasion, allowing just one first down over Medfield’s first three drives of the second half. “The kids played great fundamental, team defense,” said North Reading head coach Ed Blum. “They just dug deep and made a lot of plays. It was incredible.”

Medfield, which held a commanding 20-7 lead at halftime thanks to three rushing touchdowns from different players, struggled to regain momentum after the break. North Reading began its comeback when Otto Indelicato scored on a short run, narrowing the gap to 20-14 with just over five minutes left in the third quarter.

The Hornets’ quarterback, Jason Berry, found his rhythm in the second half, finishing with 19 completions on 25 attempts for 224 yards. His connection with wide receiver Brady, who caught 7 passes for 100 yards, proved pivotal. Early in the fourth quarter, Berry executed a brilliant fake toss, later pitching to Brady for a 13-yard touchdown that put North Reading ahead.

“It was a great design play,” Brady commented. “Great blocking by the linemen, just great offensive execution to get the job done.” With Xander Villarroel successfully converting the extra point, North Reading took the lead for the first time.

As the clock wound down, Medfield mounted a final drive, reaching North Reading’s 18-yard line. However, the Hornets’ defense held firm, forcing back-to-back incompletions to seal the victory. “When you get in moments of adversity, it’s doing it for each other and digging a little deeper,” Blum added. “It was awesome.”

With this victory, North Reading improves to 9-1 and will now face top-seeded Shawsheen in the state semifinals. This thrilling win not only demonstrates the Hornets’ resilience but also sets the stage for an exciting showdown in the next round.