AMESBURY — Following what has become a November tradition for the Amesbury football team, the Indians appeared much-improved from the start of the season last evening in a 30-7 victory over North Reading.

Amesbury (4-5 overall, 4-1 Cape Ann League Small) outscored the Hornets, 20-0, in the second half. The Indians defense forced five turnovers, and the special teams unit forced a turnover over on downs due to a muffed punt attempt and also blocked a field goal.

"I was nervous about playing North Reading (2-7 overall, 2-3 CAL Small)," Connors said. "They were only a game behind us in the league standings. They have a dangerous offense. I thought we played our most complete game of the season."

The Indians, two-time defending CAL Small champs, have posted a 13-3 record in league play since 2007. They also have a tradition of improving as the season progresses. In September and October, the Indians have a combined record of 16-23 since 2004. In November and December, the Indians have posted a record of 15-4. The Indians are unlikely to repeat as CAL Small champs this season since their one loss came against league-leader Lynnfield (8-1, 4-0). Since the Indians lost the head-to-head battle, 14-10, on October 24, they'll need Lynnfield to lose today against Hamilton-Wenham (2-6, 2-2) and again on Thanksgiving against North Reading.

"We're a team that gets better as the season goes on," Connors said. "With the exception of a few miscues against Lynnfield, this is what I was hoping for this season. We returned two lettermen from last year's team. My hope was that we'd be a good football team halfway through the season. I think we're starting to accomplish that."

Amesbury quarterback Tyler Lay connected on 5 of 12 passing attempts last evening for 147 yards and two touchdowns. His biggest pass came on the opening drive of the second half, with the Indians leading 10-7. The Hornets had gone in for a score on their final drive of the first half, cutting a comfortable 10-point lead to three at the break. On the third play of the second half, Lay hit a streaking Jake Conant up the seam for a 62-yard catch and run.

"We gave up those points before the half, and we gave them some momentum," Connors said. "I told the guys at halftime we needed to get that back on the first drive. We were able to take it back. The key to the game was that scoring drive."

North Reading had five offensive series in the second half. In succession, the Hornets' drives ended with a lost fumble, a failed fourth-down conversion, an interception, a fumble and an interception. North Reading quarterback John Brooks completed 11 of 24 passing attempts for 186 yards and three interceptions. He also had 11 carries for 39 yards, including a 20-yard touchdown run in the second quarter.

Amesbury opened the scoring on its first offensive series in the first quarter. The Indians started with the ball on the North Reading 14-yard-line after the muffed snap on a punt attempt. On the second play from scrimmage, Lay connected with Jesse Burrell for a 13-yard touchdown strike. On the ensuing drive, North Reading drove the ball down to the Amesbury 5-yard-line, but Eric Valenti's 22-yard field-goal attempt was blocked by Amesbury nose tackle Connor Norton.

Trailing 7-0, North Reading had another scoring chance early in the second quarter when Brooks drove his team down to the Amesbury 6-yard-line. On first-and-goal, he was intercepted in the end zone by Matt Enaire.

Nick Croce capped the ensuing drive, which spanned 16 plays and 72 yards over seven minutes and 55 seconds, with a 27-yard field goal.

Brooks scored on the 20-yard run with 30 seconds remaining in the first half, cutting Amesbury's lead to 10-7.

In addition to Lay's touchdown pass to Conant, the Indians added second-half touchdowns on a 9-yard run from Lay and a 1-yard run from Delante Castle.

Amesbury will look to conclude its regular season with a Thanksgiving Day victory over Newburyport for the fourth consecutive season.

"I'm really proud of what we're doing," Connors said. "I think we're a team that sticks with it. We work hard. As coaches, we put in a tremendous amount of time. That stat about us winning our games in November — that's what we're supposed to do. I had no idea of that stat, but it's something to build the program on."