By Damian Pisani
Staff writer
September 30, 2008 12:27 am NORTH READING — The good news for the Ipswich High football team yesterday was that it didn't give up an offensive touchdown. The bad news is that host North Reading still found the end zone three times — all off of offensive miscues by the Tigers. In an intense defensive battle, North Reading prevailed with a hard fought 22-6 victory. The loss dropped Ipswich to 0-2, while the Hornets remained unbeaten at 3-0. "We have to give them credit: their big players came up with big plays at big times. They don't have a lot of guys, but they did what they had to do" Ipswich head coach Ted Flaherty said. Stingy defense was the order of the day as the game began with five straight punts. Shortly thereafter, that's when the fun began for the hosts. North Reading captain Darren Hartwell took an Ipswich punt back 60 yards, shifting and spinning through Tiger defenders all the way for a score. With some fancy footwork, Dino Rizzo added the 2-point conversion rush to put the Hornets up, 8-0. "Our kids have tons of heart. They played really tough and got the job done," North Reading head coach Jeffrey Wall said. On the Tigers' next possession, quarterback Sean McHugh stepped back to pass and was drilled by Hornets linebacker Matt Barretto, causing the ball to pop loose. Rizzo showed up again, scooped up the football and scored from 33 yards out to make the score 14-0. Ipswich scored the only offensive touchdown of the game on an Alex Crecco 7-yard blast to keep it close at halftime, 14-6. With the game still close, the Tigers got the ball to the North Reading 1-yard line early in the fourth quarter, but failed to punch it in three times in a row. Then, late in the fourth, Rizzo picked off McHugh and took it back 48 yards for his second defensive touchdown of the day. "Our defense played so tough," said Flaherty. "We shut down a great team; we just have to play better on offense. We have to score from the 6-inch line when we have the chance." Ipswich looks to pick up its first win of the year — and first since winning the Division 3A Super Bowl in 2006 — when they host Triton Friday night at home (7 p.m.). North Reading 22, Ipswich 6 at North Reading Ipswich0600 — 6 North Reading01408 —22 NR- Darren Hartwell 60 punt return (Dino Rizzo rush) NR- Rizzo 33 fumble return (rush failed) I- Alex Crecco 7 rush (rush failed) NR- Rizzo 48 interception return (Rizzo from Dylan Desrosiers) INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS Rushing: Ipswich — Alex Crecco 12-47, Jim Cadogan 12-35, Brendan Gallagher 3-6, John Eldredge 2-3, Sean McHugh 2-(-2); North Reading — Dino Rizzo 9-58, Robert Rosano 9-17, John Brooks 1-8. Passing: Ipswich — Sean McHugh 3-9-31-0-2; North Reading — John Brooks 3-7-6-0-1. Receiving: Ipswich — Jim Cadogan 3-31, ; North Reading — Darren Hartwell 1-8, Richard Schaffer 1-(-2), Robert Rosano 1-0.
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