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Red-hot first half carries Pentucket to win over North Reading

Saturday, October, 30 By David Willis
Staff writer

WEST NEWBURY — With hopes sky-high after upsetting Wilmington a week ago, Pentucket had no intention of a letdown yesterday.

“If you keep winning, it keeps snowballing,” said lineman Kevin Dunn. “Everything is on the line the next few weeks for the league title, but we weren’t looking past North Reading.”

The Sachems needed just nine plays to score their first three touchdowns of the game, and used that red hot first half to beat pesky North Reading 32-14.

“It was a good win,” said quarterback Mike Doud. “We played a very good first half, and were a little lackluster in the second half. But we were able to take control early.”

The senior QB gave the Sachems the lead 2:25 into regulation when he hit John Modlish on a 41-yard touchdown. Doud finished the day 5 of 8 throwing for 116 yards, his most since the season-opener.

“We found a few holes in their defense and were confident we could take advantage,” said Doud. “I was excited. I definitely gained a little more confidence throwing the ball, which could be valuable in the next few games.”

Nolan Dragon added the next touchdown on a 17-yard carry, then on the following North Reading possession blocked the punt and Modlish recovered in the end zone for a touchdown. Dragon had just three carries for the game, the first setting up his first score and the third a 2-yard touchdown, and caught a 36-yard pass.

Senior running back Paul Treado paced the Sachems with a game-high 71 yards, all but one in the first half, and kicked a 27-yard field goal, his fourth of the season.

“We were really on the ball in the first half,” said Dunn. “The linemen were blocking hard, the backs weren’t going down. Mike threw some nice passes.”

Dragon was again a force on defense, making a game-high 15 tackles, while lineman Braeden Leach added nine tackles and John Modlish had five stops. John Simard added a late interception.

Despite trailing 32-0 at halftime, North Reading did rally for an impressive second half. The Hornets opened the third quarter with a 17-play drive that covered 71 yards in 8:49 which Nick Rosano finished off with a 6-yard touchdown pass to Jamie Mantho. The two hooked up for another score with 1:32 left in the contest.

Carl Lipani led North Reading with 13 carries for 57 yards and Rosano added 21 carries for 54 yards and completed nine passes for 96 yards.

Now 6-2, Pentucket holds its own destiny in the race for the Cape Ann League Large title. But it won’t be easy, as the Sachems must travel to Masconomet (which fell to Wilmington) on Friday, then host red-hot North Andover in two weeks. The regular season finishes with their annual Thanksgiving matchup with CAL Large foe Triton.

“This is where the league is decided,” said Doud. “It is time to get things done, and we’ll see where we are at the finish. Hopefully we’re on top.”