DRAMA: Reading Wins Seesaw Playoff Battle in Final Seconds

It’s difficult to describe in words just how much drama unfolded at Reading Memorial High School in the closing minutes of the North Division 2 quarterfinal on Friday night. Numbers do it a better justice.

Ninety-two seconds. Three touchdowns. Two two-point conversions. Three lead changes. One team advancing in the postseason.

The Rockets and Cambridge played an incredible contest from start to finish, but it was the closing 1:32 of play that stole the headlines as Reading took the lead with 1:32 to play, lost it with 51 seconds to go, and managed the game-winning score just 25 seconds later.

So how did head coach John Fiore handle all the drama of the 29-28 victory?

“Not too well. I’m not very healthy physically,” joked Fiore after the game. “We just have great kids. As much as we get on their tails about stuff, that was just awesome high school football tonight. A great game, a playoff atmosphere. All that stuff.”

Quarterback Drew Belcher took the team on his shoulders with several critical runs late in the game, including a fourth down keeper around the right side that gave the Rockets a 21-20 edge with 1:29 to go.

But with 51 seconds left, the Falcons stunningly took back momentum, and the lead, on a 75-yard touchdown and two-point conversion that gave them a 28-21 edge.

The Rockets, however, didn’t sulk for long. Belcher connected with a slanting Rob DiLoreto, who darted 60 yards untouched and went into the end zone to bring his team within one point with 26 seconds left in the fourth quarter.

Instead of settling for overtime, head coach John Fiore opted for a two-point conversion of his own. Cambridge brought a blitz, and Fiore’s call of a screen pass was the perfect scenario. Running back Liam Kenneally snuck open down the sideline and caught an high arcing pass from Belcher to give Reading the lead and eventual win.

There was only thing that could have brought more drama to the epic game. Reading initially lined up for the extra point to tie the game, but called a time out. Why?

“We were going to fake it,” said Fiore after the game. “That was a wild finish.”

Thanks to the win, Reading’s state championship hopes are still alive. The Rockets host Waltham on Friday night in the semifinal round of the North Division 2 tournament.

“In a game like that, you never know what’s going to happen,” said Belcher. “Our wide receivers work really hard, and they deserved it. Rob DiLoreto made a great, great, play (on the game-winning touchdown). You have to make big plays in big games.”