Everett blitzes Medford to secure fifth win

Tide football humbles another opponent as it moves up the ladder in the power rankings

  The Everett Crimson Tide football team (5-1) did what they had to do last Thursday night against host Medford (1-5) to stay on a successful path with the playoffs coming up next month. Everett is currently ranked 12^th in the latest Division 1 power rankings. Check out the Top 28 D-1 teams as of last weekend at the end of this story.

  But first things first, the Tide was able to roll over the Mustangs to the tune of 48-0, scoring 34 of those points in the first quarter alone. They then tacked on touchdowns in the third and fourth quarters to account for the final score.

  Tide quarterback Karmarri Ellerbe got it all started with a 38-yard run to the endzone. Adoni Santos successfully kicked the extra point through the uprights, and the rout was on. The special teams then got into the fun when Aidan Duclos blocked a punt and returned it seven yards for another six points. Jayden Prophete then took it to the house with a three-yard run to paydirt, followed by Chandler Timoleon’s conversion attempt on a running play, which resulted in two more points for Everett and a 21-0 lead. Jaiden Williams scampered 47-yards for the team’s fourth touchdown of the game. Damien Lackland closed out the first quarter uprising with a 47-yard jaunt. Santos once again connected on the extra point to complete a season-best frame, where they couldn’t do anything wrong.

  Matthew LaMonica was also credited with a block, this time in the third quarter, and alertly picked it up before running it into the endzone from 20-yards out. Jalen Jones completed the scoring in the final stanza on a seven-yard run to the Medford endzone.

  Naturally, Coach Rob DiLoreto had very few complaints after another satisfying triumph. “We are very happy that our team enjoyed a nice win against Medford,” he said. “Our team studied the film closely, while doing some extensive self-scouting. We are aware that we still need to make significant improvements in all three phases of the game this week at practice.”

  DiLoreto singled out the contributions of the team’s running game that resulted in another overwhelming victory, this time in the rain against Medford. “Our offense was led by a complete team ground attack,” the veteran coach said. “The rain and wind dictated the style of play. We knew we needed to run the ball on every play, and so we did.

  “I was also very proud of the way our team responded overall, and specifically [on special teams] Aidan Duclos, who blocked two punts, those were difference makers in this game.”

  But going forward, there’s still work to be done in all areas, according to the coach, and it starts Friday night (6 p.m.) against longtime rival Malden (3-3) at home. The Golden Tornadoes have been very competitive in recent years, and DiLoreto knows his team has to bring its A-game to secure win No. 6. “On defense, we need to rush the passer better and clean up our pass coverages, while on offense we need to block better in the run game and be more efficient in our passing game,” he said. “Our special teams also need to play faster and more confident.”

  And there’s no better time to improve than against a quality opponent like Malden. “The Everett / Malden football rivalry goes back well over 100 years, and we are aware of the tradition of this great rivalry,” said DiLoreto. “We know that Malden is a well coached team that is vastly improved from last year [as it continues to move in a positive direction]. We will definitely need to play our best on Friday night.”

  Here are the Division 1 power rankings with the playoffs just two weeks away:

1. Franklin 4-1
2. Springfield Central 5-1
3. Central Catholic 4-2
4. Xaverian Brothers 5-1
5. Andover 5-0
6. Taunton 4-2
7. St. John’s Prep 4-2
8. Attleboro 4-2
9. Methuen 4-2
10. Wachusett Regional 5-1
11. Brockton 5-1
12. Everett 5-1
13. Shrewsbury 3-3
14. Lynn Classical 4-1
15. Weymouth 3-3
16. Boston College High 1-5
17. Braintree 3-3
18. Haverhill 2-3
19. Lowell 1-5
20. St. John’s 1-5