Everett football team completes season with decisive win over St. Mary’s of Lynn on Thanksgiving Eve

Crimson Tide coach Justin Flores begins Year 2 next week with the start of off-season workouts

By Joe McConnell

The 2023 edition of the Everett High School football team (6-0 in the GBL, 9-2 overall) is probably the envy of the offensively challenged New England Patriots, and they didn’t even make the Division 1 playoffs under the power rankings system of the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA). In 11 games, the Crimson Tide accounted for 431 points, including 56 against visiting St. Mary’s of Lynn on Thanksgiving Eve to wrap up coach Justin Flores’ first year at the helm in convincing fashion over the Catholic Central League school, 56-28.

Flores summed up his first year as the Crimson Tide football coach as a season full of ups and downs, while adding, “it came with close wins and losses in big games, and it was also great to see a group of young men and new coaches come together in such a short amount of time to perform the way we did [since September].”

Flores didn’t officially get the job until July, but in just five months together his team was able to compile nine wins, setting the tone for greater accomplishments next year, now with a normal – for a football team – 12-month schedule of workouts ahead of them in the weightroom starting next week to go along with summer league games under the guidance of one coaching staff.

Damien Lackland led the way on offense against the Spartans from Lynn with three rushing touchdowns. He was credited with 147 yards on 11 carries and had one reception for 28 yards. Christian Zamor chipped in with two more scores, while coming up with two receptions for 94 yards. He also ran the ball three times for 10 yards. Jayden Prophete caught three passes for 53 yards, one of which went for a touchdown. Pedro Rodrigues ran the ball once to account for a 54-yard touchdown. Domenic Papa caught two passes for 26 yards. Jaysaun Coggins had three receptions for 26 yards. Manny Santiago chipped in with 13 yards on two carries. Sophomore Joao Barreiros caught one pass for 14 yards.

Quarterback Carlos Rodrigues completed 12 passes for 241 yards and three touchdowns. He ran the ball once for nine yards.

“Zamor and Lackland were the two big standouts in this game, along with the offensive line,” said Flores. “On defense, Papa led the team in tackles, and Prophete came up with an interception that he ran back for a touchdown.”

As far as continuing to face St. Mary’s of Lynn in the Thanksgiving game, Flores said they are still looking for a consistent opponent to play against, preferably on Thanksgiving morning.

Overall, Flores has no complaints with the way his first season went as the Everett head coach. “We had a solid first year,” he said. “I think the playoff disappointment will forever loom over this season, but we took one of the state finalists [Xaverian] down to the wire, and beat the fifth-ranked Division 1 team [BC High].”

But right now, Flores is looking ahead to next year. “For the players who don’t play winter sports, we will start our winter workouts next week. A lot of the guys are ready to get in a full off-season program to prepare themselves for next season,” he said. “Our team will also participate in multiple 7v7 summer tournaments, and our linemen will be attending Big Man Academies. We will hit the road as a team this summer to go to a number of camps to help the seniors get properly recruited, while our underclassmen will also get the exposure that they need early on in their high school careers.”

See more photo highlights at: www.Facebook.com/advocate.news.ma