On a blustery Halloween night at John Hollingsworth Field, the Reading Memorial High School Rockets delivered a dominant performance to close out the regular season, defeating the Woburn Tanners 34–14. The win brings both teams to a 4–4 record, but more importantly, keeps Reading’s playoff hopes alive heading into the MIAA postseason selection.
Fast Start and Trickery Set the Tone
Reading wasted no time electrifying the home crowd. On their opening drive, senior halfback Dominic Pate threw a 30-yard option pass to Jayden Gomes for a touchdown, followed by a Will Chute TD pass to Pate himself. The Rockets led 14–0 after the first quarter and extended it to 20–0 by halftime, thanks to another Chute-to-Gomes connection.
The Rockets’ offense was firing on all cylinders, mixing traditional runs with creative play-calling. Despite three touchdowns being called back due to penalties, Reading’s momentum never faltered.
Pate’s Monster Night
Dominic Pate was the star of the night, contributing in every phase of the game. He had:
- A passing touchdown
- A receiving touchdown
- Multiple long rushing touchdowns, including a 39-yard score that answered Woburn’s lone third-quarter touchdown.
Pate’s versatility and explosiveness kept Woburn’s defense guessing all night.
Chute’s Command and Composure
Quarterback Will Chute continued his impressive season, adding a rushing touchdown and multiple key completions. Despite windy conditions, Chute remained poised, making smart decisions and protecting the football. His leadership was evident as he guided the Rockets through a game filled with momentum swings and officiating challenges.
Defensive Grit and Turnovers
Reading’s defense was relentless, forcing three turnovers, including two fumbles and a late-game interception by Ryan Pulpi that was unfortunately negated by a penalty. The Rockets’ defensive line consistently disrupted Woburn’s run-heavy offense, while the secondary blanketed receivers and broke up key passes.
Senior linebacker Cobe Farris and captain Shawn DuRoss anchored the defense, with standout plays from underclassmen like Jared Frazier and Harrison Farnum.
Woburn’s Response and Late Push
Woburn showed resilience, scoring twice in the second half, including a red-zone touchdown by Thomas Kineavy. Quarterback Aiden Wood found some rhythm in the third quarter, connecting with receivers on rollout passes, but the Tanners couldn’t overcome their early mistakes and turnovers.
Senior Night Energy and Community Support
The game was also a celebration of Reading’s seniors, with pregame festivities, a packed student section in costume, and shoutouts to local businesses like Cafe Capri Pizza and Reading Town Florist. Former Rocket and Tufts captain Dom DeCrescenzo joined the broadcast at halftime, praising the team’s growth and playoff potential.
Looking Ahead
With the win, Reading finishes the regular season on a three-game win streak. Their playoff fate now rests in the hands of the MIAA rankings and tiebreakers. If they don’t make the cut, they’ll face Stoneham in the annual Thanksgiving Day game, this year at Stoneham’s newly renovated field.
Regardless of what comes next, the Rockets gave their fans a thrilling and memorable night, showcasing grit, creativity, and heart.
