Everett tames the Tigers to begin Division 1 playoffs

Tide now gears up for tough test against Central Catholic Friday night in state quarterfinals

  One down, two to go for the Everett Crimson Tide football team (8-1, 11^th seed) after it dominated host Taunton (5-4, sixth seed) in Week 1 of the Super Bowl playoffs last Friday night (Nov. 4), 33-14. The Everett boys led, 26-14, at halftime and then proceeded to hold the Tigers scoreless, while scoring one more touchdown in the fourth quarter to seal the deal.

  “Our team gave a strong effort in all three phases of the game against Taunton, and I’m very proud of them,” said Head Coach Rob DiLoreto.

  But as the Division 1 playoffs continue on this week in the state quarterfinal round, the rode to Gillette Stadium gets even tougher for all first week survivors. For the Tide, they will head to Lawrence Friday night to take on Central Catholic (7-2, third seed), who defeated Braintree in the Round of 16, 46-14. This week’s showdown in Lawrence will commence at 5 p.m.

  “We need to play a cleaner game and limit our turnovers, penalties and mistakes in order to have a chance against Central Catholic,” added DiLoreto. “We are very excited to advance in the playoffs, but we know we need to improve in every phase of the game this week.”

  Giacobbe Ward hooked up with quarterback Karmarri Ellerbe for a 62-yard touchdown pass to begin Everett’s offensive explosion. Adoni Santos followed with the extra point kick to give the visitors a 7-0 lead. But Taunton wasted no time to tie the score on a Malachi Johnson 56-yard run and subsequent kick by Sete Deletoile. However, Everett wasn’t deterred. Ellerbe scored the next two touchdowns as a result of 11- and 6-yard runs to the end zone. Damien Lackland continued the Everett scoring spree with a three-yard touchdown run. Taunton got one back on a 36-yard pass from Jake Leonard to Dmitrius Shearrion. Deletoile then nailed his second extra point of the game. The Everett defense accounted for the final touchdown of the game when David De Souza intercepted a pass and proceeded to run the final two yards for six points. Santos nailed another extra point to close out the offense in this game.

  There were many heroes in this game, and DiLoreto specifically mentioned Ward, who set the tone on Everett’s first offensive snap. “I believe that score gave our team confidence and energy,” added the veteran high school coach. “Karmarri Ellerbe also had some big runs for us throughout the game.”

  On the defensive front, De Souza led the way with two interceptions and one touchdown. “David also had several other key defensive plays in the game, while Pedro Rodrigues had a huge sack on a blitz, and Shane MacKenzie came up with a strip sack fumble recovery,” DiLoreto said.

  But now, the Tide has moved on to a bigger challenge, and DiLoreto knows it. “We know we have a huge challenge facing us, but we are going to work hard to put a game plan in place that gives us the best chance for success,” he said. “We are going to work on execution and playing fast this week, while knowing we also have to play at our very best.”