ARLINGTON – Despite a significant rest disparity, Reading knocked down Middlesex League rival Arlington 34-21 to stay undefeated.

Arlington entered the Thursday night matchup after a bye week but Reading (5-0) had just defeated Woburn the previous Saturday. Head coach John Fiore said the team had to push through the light rest and also were down a few players due to injury.

This meant that typical preparation wasn’t possible, yet the effort his team showed in the short week was impressive.

“We had a short week, don’t have time to get ready for a lot of stuff,” Fiore said. “They grinded and it paid off.”

The Rockets opened the scoring with a six-yard touchdown run from D’Von Burcy. However, Arlington quickly tied it on  a 19-yard passing connection between Jack Zambardino and Alexi Tripostis. That duo would secure another touchdown shortly after to take a 14-7 lead.

Reading quarterback Jack Murphy connected with Ryan Pulpi on a 17-yard touchdown to erase that deficit and later tossed a touchdown to Jake Palm to secure a 20-14 lead.

A missed extra point kept the lead at just six and Arlington then marched down the field and scored on a Ryan Scull four-yard dash. This would result in a 21-20 halftime lead for the Spy Ponders.

Reading received the second half kickoff and had no intention of trailing for very long. Murphy and Burcy paced the ensuing drive, with the latter finishing it after a two-yard run that featured a crushing juke move.

“That felt great,” Burcy said. “We did good, the line held up and we could have worked on things better in the first half but we got through it.”

The Rockets defense would not surrender a point in the second half, squashing any Arlington momentum. While Reading struggled to gain much offense in the third quarter, Burcy was able to burn significant clock and help his team inch closer to the win.

“D’Von was tough tonight,” Fiore said. “He got after it and I am super proud of him.”

.After forcing a turnover on downs with just under 1:30 remaining, the Rockets needed a first down to seal the victory. Burcy did that and more as he took the first play from scrimmage 50 yards for his third touchdown.

“I thank my line because they make the holes for me,” Burcy said. “I would have nothing to do without the line.”

Fiore said his team was truly tested in the matchup and showed just why they can compete with impressive opponents like the Spy Ponders.

“I’m just real proud of the team tonight,” Fiore said. “Great, hard-fought win, bearing down, everyone staying with it and coming up with a big win at the end. I can’t say enough about these kids.”

Arlington’s Peter Harrison recovers a blocked field goal as Reading’s Jake Palm goes in for the tackle. Reading was a 34-21 winner. (Photo By Matt Stone/Boston Herald)