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Health & Fitness

Rocket Update Week Five: Woburn Awaits

By Drew Johnson ('15)

The Reading football club seems to have gotten its identity back as the boys in red and black have rocketed their way to a 4-1 record.

“We weren’t really healthy at the beginning of the season,” Coach John Fiore told me on Tuesday. “But we’re getting healthy now.” Seniors Andrew Bourque, Liam Keneally and John Donnellan were all sidelined due to injuries at different points this season. Their presence on the field was clearly missed by Coach Fiore, who said, “All three are very important guys who would start on any team in New England.”

Another reason for the team’s early struggles was due to the fact that there are a lot of new faces behind the face masks this season: “We’re playing a lot of sophomores,” said the coach “And there’s a learning curve going from freshman football to varsity football.

Although they had a slow start, there is no question the team is back on track as they put up a whopping 48 points against Belmont. “I think overall effort was what enabled us to do so well on offense,” said starting quarterback and captain, Drew Belcher. “All eleven guys did their jobs to the best of their ability and that showed on the scoreboard.”

But the celebration of a dominating 48-16 win was short lived.

Reading has 5-1 Woburn coming into town on Friday night in a game that could make or break both teams’ dreams of a division title this season. “They have an outstanding football program,” said Coach Fiore “They’re a tough, skilled team who always brings their A game against us.” The Rockets aren’t intimidated though, in fact, they’re inspired: “While we respect all of our opponents a great deal, we don’t operate to be afraid of the challenge,” said Coach Fiore. “We’ve got to be ready for one of the best teams we’ll face all year.

Don’t miss a must-see matchup against Woburn this Friday at 7pm in Reading.

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