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High School football weekend preview

Group effort for Reading vs. Brockton

“We play for the name on the front of the jersey, not the back.”

That is the motto Reading coach John Fiore uses for his football team.

The Rockets have standout players, but Reading football is about collaborative efforts. With nine returning starters, 13th-ranked Reading hopes to make its fifth consecutive playoff appearance. The Rockets got off to a good start, beating Lawrence, 46-2, in its season opener.

“I’m happy with the way we played defense and also with our ability to make big plays,” Fiore said. “I’m real happy that we spent the bulk of the game running the ball.”

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Quarterback Drew Belcher still managed to throw three touchdown passes, two caught by senior wide receiver Ryan Maney. Since Belcher is returning for his second season as a starter, Fiore expects nothing but improvement from his maturing quarterback.

Belcher’s next test is Friday, as Reading takes on sixth-ranked Brockton, which is led by versatile quarterback Austin Roberts.

So how about your upcoming game, Coach?

“I like to take it day by day. Can’t get caught up,” Fiore said. “All you can do is watch what’s right in front of you.”

The Boxers are coming off a huge win over BC High.

“We’re just going to give it our best shot and hope to get out of it healthy,” Fiore said. “Peter [Colombo] is an awesome coach and an awesome guy. I know he runs a great program, and I know we will get better from the entire experience no matter what the outcome is.”

.   .   .

In his first game as coach of BC High, Joe Gaff’s Eagles were shut out by Brockton. They’ll be searching for their first win Friday night as BC High hosts North Attleboro, which is coming off a 47-27 win over La Salle Academy, one of the top-ranked teams in Rhode Island . . . Duxbury will be looking for its 28th consecutive victory as the Green Dragons take on a Plymouth North team trying to adapt to a new system and a new coach . . . The best game of the weekend could be Saturday, when St. John’s Prep hosts Central Catholic in a matchup of teams coming off impressive openers. The Prep beat Dracut, 49-6, while Central Catholic topped Marlboro, 33-6 . . . No.1-ranked Everett hits the road for the second straight week, facing Springfield Central Friday. The Golden Eagles beat Putnam, 21-8, in their opener.

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