(Post-game videos, Photos) D5 MIAA Football State Semi-final Score: North Reading 32, Bishop Fenwick 29 – FG Wins It at 0:00

LYNN – Senior place kicker Matt Guidebeck sailed a 39 yard field goal attempt long, high, and true with no time remaining in the 4th quarter to propel the North Reading Hornets (10-1) to a 32-29 win over the Bishop Fenwick Crusaders (9-2). (Field Goal video below)

Fenwick junior running back Anthony Nichols‘ 1 yard plunge for a touchdown that finished off a 15-play, 80-yard drive pulled the Crusaders into a 29-all tie with just 33 seconds left in regulation before Guidebeck’s heroics.

The final drive for North Reading started at the Hornets’ 42 yard line (with those 33 seconds remaining).  With senior quarterback Alex Carucci running (2 carries, 18 yards) and passing, (2 for 2 for 19 yards), North Reading drove the ball to Fenwick’s 29 yard line with just 6 seconds showing on the clock.  The field goal ended it right there.

Bishop Fenwick opened the scoring with 7:52 left in the first quarter when senior tight end Aidan Green hauled in a 7 yard pass from junior Luke Connolly to finish off the 8-play, 53 yard drive.

North Reading tied the game at 7 with Carucci taking it in from a yard out after a turnover with 4:46 lef to play in the opening frame.

With 8:12 in the half, Carucci connected with senior Craig Rubino that game North Reading a 14-7 lead.

The Hornets increased the lead to 21-7 with 6:40 left in the third quarter when Carucci scored from 3 yards out.

Fenwick came right back no time on the clock after a 13-play, 61 yard drive ended with a 1 yard TD by junior Bryce Leaman.  After a 2 point conversion, it was 21-15, Hornets.

After recovering an onside kick, Bishop Fenwick put together another 61 yard drive with Connolly punching it from 3 yards out, and with 7:29 left in the third quarter, it was now Bishop Fenwick 22, North Reading 21.

A minute and a half later, at 5:01, Will Batten put the Hornets back out on top with an 11 yard TD run to make it 29-22, North Reading.

Fifteen plays and 80 yards later, Nichols tied the game at 29.

Then Guidebeck ended it .

Next up for North Reading:  The D5 Superbowl vs either Dover Sherborn (10-0) or Shawsheen (10-0) who play each other on Saturday.

North Reading High School football coach with post-game comments

Bishop Fenwick High School football coach with post-game comments