Everett football falls to #8 Xaverian in home season opener, 49-19

  The final score says otherwise, but this game was indeed closer than it looks.

  #8-ranked Xaverian came to town Friday night for the Everett High Crimson Tide football season opener and the visiting Hawks were all that was advertised.

   Led by new quarterback Henry Hasselbeck — from THAT well-known NFL family— Xaverian scored in every quarter to take a 49-19 victory.

    Third-year head coach Rob DiLoreto’s Everett High team never backed off though, scoring twice in the second half, including a 33-yard TD run by lightning-quick junior Damien Lackland to keep the Tide within shouting distance.

    Xaverian, as it did all game, answered quickly, came right back, this time on a wild, 95-yard kickoff by Jonathan Monteiro.

  Hasselbeck was the story along with stocky (but fast) running back Michael Oates. Hasselbeck three for 227 yards passing and three TD passes and also ran for a score.

   Oates ran for a game-high 165 yards and three TDs including a 73-yard receiving touchdown on a screen pass which was basically a gamebreaker in the fourth quarter.
Coach DiLoreto said he was impressed by the Xaverian team and its ability to score quickly, but also for his own team’s willingness to play four quarters against a tough opponent.
Xaverian scored three times on special teams, two kickoff return TDs and a third on a punt return, meaning a lot more homework for Everett in that department in practice this week, preparing for its next opponent.
Everett senior quarterback Kamarri Ellerbe was a bright light for the Tide, throwing TD touchdown passes to Jaiden Williams and Kevin Ruiz and over 150 yards on the night.

   Ellerbe also caught a QB option pass from Giacobbe Ward in the second half and lumbered for a 39-yard “yards after catch” reception. Ward also had an interception on defense.

. Giacobbe Ward provided a defensive highlight with an interception in the end zone on the final play of the first half.
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Everett on the road tonight at Somerville’s Dilboy Field in GBL opener
Everett (0-1) plays at Somerville (0-1) TONIGHT ({6:00 p.m. start its Greater Boston League (GBL) opener.