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Hornets switch gear, clip Pentucket

WEST NEWBURY — The switch to Plan B worked again for the North Reading football team.

Forced to make major adjustments after quarterback and star player Kyle Bythrow went out with broken ribs in the second game of the season, the Hornets won their second straight game Saturday afternoon, clipping Pentucket 30-12.

Instead of relying on the multiple skills of Bythrow, the Hornets (3-2) must now bank on improved line play, better defense and contributions from multiple players.

"That was definitely a big blow losing a player like him (Bythrow)," said North Reading coach Jeff Wall. "You've got to have other kids step up and so far they've done a great job of that."

Stepping up big time in the first half, which ended at 3-0 for the Hornets when Alex D'Ambrosio booted a 24-yard field goal on the final play, was the defense led by senior linebacker Jackson DeAngelo.

North Reading's defensive line, led by Michael Luciano, Daniel Sweeney and Colin Boucher was immense in the first half and DeAngelo was all over the field, making tackles and firing up his teammates. He had one of three quarterback sacks and was in on seven tackles in the first half alone.

As a result, Pentucket had only three runs for positive yardage and finished the first half with 12 rushes for minus-24 yards.

"You have to hand it to our defensive line," said DeAngelo. "I tried to fire them up and they were great. The defense worked hard all week for this.

"I thought we played a great game. We know we have to do more with No. 17 (Bythrow) out. We do it all for him."

Pentucket's defense was nearly North Reading's equal in the first half, holding the Hornets to 65 yards on the ground, but that changed quickly in the second half.

The Hornets received the second half kickoff and wnt 65 yards in four plays, keyed by a 47-yard scamper by D'Ambrosio and capped by the first of two touchdowns by Ryan Edison

On North Reading's next series, Jake Bedell kept the ball and zipped 39 yards to the end zone, making it 17-0.

Pentucket closed the gap to 17-6 on the first play of the fourth quarter on a beautiful 42-yard strike from Gus Flaherty to Nathan McGrail. But Bedell took the ensuing kickoff 96 yards, making it 24-6 and essentially putting the game out of reach.

Bedell has played a big part in Plan B for the Hornets. He started the season as a wide out but had moved to the backfield impressively. His two touchdowns Saturday gave him six in the last two games.

He rushed for 168 yards, largely out if the Wildcat formation, and four TDs a week earlier against Triton.

Pentucket, meanwhile, showed signs of a potent passing attack. Provided with better protection in the second half, he completed 8 of 13 passes for 110 yards with McGrail and Jack Etter both catching three balls.