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Amesbury drops North Reading in OT

Friday, November, 12 By Jeff Hamrick

NORTH READING — Once Amesbury stifled the North Reading offense in the second overtime, the Indians figured they had the Hornets right where they wanted them.

Three plays later, Nick Croce made the strategy work with a 22-yard game-winning field goal that gave Amesbury a 15-12 victory in a Cape Ann Conference Small battle.

Entering the first overtime tied at 6, the Indians (4-6 overall, 3-2 conference) and North Reading (1-8, 1-4) traded touchdowns, but both were unsuccessful on two-point conversion attempts. The Hornets had the first possession of the extra frame, but quickly ran out of downs following an illegal procedure call and three pass plays that resulted in 1 yard lost.

That set up Amesbury’s winning possession. Three short runs set up Croce’s attempt.

“Once we knew held them, we knew we’d (kick the field goal,” Amesbury coach Tom Connors said. “We have a terrific field goal kicker in Nick Croce. We just wanted to keep it safe and run three plays then kick. That was the plan the minute we stopped them.”

The overtime penalty was indicative of North Reading’s game as crucial 5-yard penalties stymied drives. The Hornets also threw two interceptions and lost a fumble.

“Penalties kill us every time,” North Reading coach Jeff Wall said. “That’s what happens when you have a young team — you’re going to make mistakes like that.”

The Hornets controlled the opening half, but had only 6 points to show for their effort. Carl Lipani capped an 8-play, 72-yard drive with a 4-yard scoring run that game North Reading a 6-0 advantage with 2:33 left in the second quarter.

Amesbury, playing without starting quarterback Tyler Lay (pneumonia) and running back Dalante Castle (separated shoulder) because of injuries, had trouble moving the ball most of the game. But despite being out gained 232-94 and running 17 fewer plays in the game, the Indians tied the score with a convincing 56-yard, 13-play drive that consumed more than 6 minutes of the third quarter and ended on a Marc Mercier to Stephan Deas 15-yard touchdown reception.

“We were a little banged up,” Connors said. “We tweaked our offense a little bit. Basically we just wanted to make the clock run and see if we could win the game in the end, and that’s how it worked out.”

In overtime, Andover scored on a 5-yard run by Ian McLaughlin while North Reading immediately responded on a 10-yard pass from Nicholas Rosano, who ran for a game-high 165 yards, to Lipani.