“The matchup couldn’t be coming at a better time,” said North Reading coach Ed Blum, who led the program to its first Super Bowl win in 2022. “Amesbury has been really good the last four years running the [straight-T offense] and they will test your ability to control the line of scrimmage.”
Amesbury’s unique run-heavy offense features three backs and a quarterback capable of carrying on draws, traps, counters, and sweeps, a system that led the Redhawks to the state semifinals in 2022 and a Super Bowl appearance in 2023.
With a variety of short-yardage plays at their disposal, the Redhawks were able to hit key 2-point conversions to edge North Reading, 30-28, in 2021 and earn a wild 40-38 overtime win to open the 2023 season. Last year, Amesbury’s ninth-year coach Colin McQueen earned the 50th win of his career with a 20-16 victory at North Reading.
“Our guys have played near perfect to beat some really great [Hornets] teams and they’ve got another great team this year,” McQueen said.
“There is no one I respect more than Ed Blum. He’s really an elite coach and I know his guys are always going to be well-prepared.”
North Reading has depth and experience in the trenches with seniors Dylan Matthews, Zack Morse, and CJ Humber anchoring the interior offensive and defensive lines.
Otto Indelicato is a force on defense and a bruising tailback with a team-high 425 rushing yards and nine touchdowns through nine games. Third-year quarterback Jason Berry is completing 74.3 percent of his passes for 970 yards with 12 total touchdowns, and third-year receiver Gavin Brady has accounted for 473 receiving yards with seven scores.
Senior quarterback Justin Dube runs the show for Amesbury with 166 rushing yards, 201 passing yards, seven touchdowns and five 2-point conversions. The Redhawks’ lead backs are Joe Puleo (378 yards, 6 TDs), Joe Celia (384 scrimmage yards, 7 TDs), and Connor Scialdone (230 yards, 4 TDs). Senior captains Ethan Kirby and Ollie Peters are leaders on both sides as blocking tight ends and outside linebackers.
“We build in wrinkles week-to-week, but the overall philosophy remains the same, because it’s what we know works,” McQueen said. “We want to stay on schedule and go forward every down, and if we have a manageable distance we feel good we can pick it up. That’s benefitted us in the past by allowing us to play with some athletic North Reading teams.”
Friday, Catholic Memorial at Xaverian, (6 p.m.) — Injuries have hit Xaverian on both sides of the ball, but the Hawks will be fired up to defend their home field against a fierce rival. Pick: CATHOLIC MEMORIAL.
Friday, Stoneham at Burlington, (6 p.m.) — Stoneham looks to bounce back from an upset loss to Wilmington by handing Burlington its first loss in a vital Middlesex Freedom clash. Pick: BURLINGTON.
Friday, Dartmouth at Barnstable, (6 p.m.) — Undefeated teams meet in their first Southeast Conference game of the season. Barnstable’s offense has been rolling against nonleague competition. Pick: BARNSTABLE.
Friday, North Reading at Amesbury, (6:30 p.m.) — Can the Hornets avenge a series of close losses and pull out the road win in this Cape Ann crossover bout? Pick: NORTH READING.
Friday, Quincy at Scituate, (6:30 p.m.) — Quincy is undefeated and coming off a big win over Plymouth South, but Scituate is loaded and motivated after losing to the Panthers two weeks prior. Pick: SCITUATE.
Friday, Milton at Walpole, (6:30 p.m.) — Steve Dembowski’s Wildcats bounced back from their first loss with an impressive win at Wachusett and Walpole is coming off consecutive wins against stiff competition. Pick: MILTON.
Friday, Foxborough at Canton, (7 p.m.) — Locked in a four-team battle for the Hockomock Davenport title, these league rivals both need a win to keep pace with North Attleborough and Mansfield. Pick: FOXBOROUGH.
Friday, Bishop Feehan at Bishop Fenwick, (7 p.m.) — Former Catholic Central rivals clash in Peabody with Feehan (which is going Independent) coming off four straight impressive wins and a bye week. Pick: BISHOP FEEHAN.
Friday, Westford at Bedford, (7 p.m.) — After dropping 68 points in a win at Wayland, Bedford got defensive with a 21-13 win at Lincoln-Sudbury. Westford is averaging 33 points per game during a 2-1 stretch against DCL foes. Pick: BEDFORD.
Saturday, Milton Academy at BB&N, (6 p.m.) — The bullies of the Independent School League over the past few seasons, BB&N looks to remain unbeaten against an NEPSAC Class B opponent, while Milton Academy looks to build on a win over Class A program Loomis Chaffee. Pick: BB&N.
Nate Weitzer can be reached at nweitzer7@gmail.com. Follow him on X @nweitzer7.
