Jordan Murphy’s smile said much more than any words that came out of the coach’s mouth after his North Middlesex Regional football team topped Fitchburg in its season opener on Sept. 7.
The second-year head coach beamed with pride after the Patriots dispatched the host Red Raiders, 42-7, at Crocker Field. He spoke of how years of hard work and struggling through lean times was beginning to pay off for a team loaded with senior talent.
Eventually, his ear-to-ear smile gave way to a smirk that glowed confidence. Murphy wasn’t kidding when he hinted that his Patriots were capable of big things this fall.
So far, the coach’s optimism has been spot-on. The Patriots are 3-0 and putting up points like they’re the Central Mass. version of the 2023 Miami Dolphins (against the Denver Broncos, at least).
In three contests, North Middlesex has posted 119 points while allowing just 22. On Saturday, the Patriots won their third consecutive blowout, winning 35-8 at Nauset.
Ahead 14-8 at halftime, the Patriots quickly put things out of reach in the second half. And while the first two contests of the season saw the combination of quarterback Michael Reardon and wide receiver Cade Callahan step into the spotlight, it was Jackson Hendley’s turn on Cape Cod.
The senior running back carried the ball nine times for 117 yards, scoring three times on rushes while also pulling in a touchdown pass from Reardon.
Reardon completed 12 of his 20 passes for 128 yards and spread the tosses out to a quartet of receivers. In addition to Hendley (two catches for 14 yards), Brady Reardon caught four passes for 58 yards and Darien Crawford (30 yards) and Callahan (26 yards) each had three receptions.
Up next for the Patriots is Friday evening’s border war with Groton-Dunstable (0-3), slated for a 7 p.m. start at John E. Young Memorial Field.
Matson dual threat
Though Lunenburg High suffered its first gridiron loss of the fall on Friday evening, Hunter Matson continues to be a problem for opposing programs.
In a 16-13 loss at Martha’s Vineyard, the senior quarterback posted 101 yards through the air, while also rushing for over 100 yards. Matson ran for a 5-yard score, while finding Eric Smith on a 29-yard touchdown pass.
Effort improving for Fitchburg
Despite coming up on the short end of a 36-12 contest at Shepherd Hill Friday night, Fitchburg High head coach Paul DiGeronimo is beginning to see his Red Raiders improve on the gridiron.
The first-year head coach has told me that with each week, the Red Raiders’ effort has been better as the team comes together. This week’s loss saw Fitchburg put up a season-high in points as Devanni DeLeon and Lukas Beaulac each rushed for scores.
A shift at St. Bernard’s
Losses happen. A look at the box score from St. Bernard’s 7-6 loss at Gloucester might not seem that unique to those not familiar with the Bernardians, but to those who follow the team, a shift what has been effective for St. B’s this fall is apparent.
Normally a run-dependent team, the Bernardians saw senior quarterback Salvi Bilotta complete 8 of 14 passes in the loss, piling up 125 yards through the air. St. Bernard’s lone score came on a pass from Bilotta to classmate Quinn Carlson.
Sure, the Bernardians still put up more yards on the ground (137) than through the air, but it’s likely the first time in a long time that the offensive stats have been that close. Good teams take what the opponents give them and if teams are going to sleep on Bilotta’s passing prowess, the Bernardians will likely try to take advantage.
