Shocked and chagrined sums up the Tide’s feelings after Sunday’s news

Everett football keeps on winning, but unexpectedly drops in the rankings to miss the playoffs

By Joe McConnell

Everything was looking good last Friday night for the Everett High School football team (7-1) after they defeated Greater Boston League (GBL) rival Lynn Classical at Everett Stadium, 43-12. It was the team’s seventh straight win, and first-year Head Coach Justin Flores and his players were optimistic that they would soon be preparing for the Division 1 playoffs. But two days later, all that optimism quickly turned to disappointment.

The Crimson Tide started the Lynn Classical game as the 16^th seed, but in a matter of 48 hours they dropped two spots to 18^th, putting them on the outside looking in of a playoff spot. The Top 16 teams in each division qualify for the playoffs, and it doesn’t matter if a team has an extraordinary winning record, because it’s all about power rankings under the new statewide postseason format that features three rounds of games, with the semifinal winners advancing to the respective Super Bowl games at Gillette Stadium in early December. But none of this makes it any easier for Flores and his players.

“I don’t agree with the final rankings, as I and many others know we are one of the Top 16 teams in Division 1,” said Flores. “The players are taking it very hard. It’s a mixed bag of emotions, but especially for the seniors who will never get a shot at the playoffs again.”

The only solace they can take from this news is that they are still beating up on opponents, with the Rams from Lynn their most recent victims. Last Friday night’s win also secured another GBL championship.

“The defense carried us through the [Lynn Classical] game,” said Flores. “We didn’t execute well in the first half on offense, but we got back on track as a team in the second half.”

Quarterback Carlos Rodrigues had another good game, completing five of 14 passes for 71 yards with one touchdown. He also rushed the ball three times for 78 yards. Manny Santiago was credited with two rushing touchdowns against Classical, while also running for 47 yards on 16 carries.

Christian Zamor once again had a superb all-around two-way game. On offense, Zamor ran the ball three times for 34 yards, accounting for two touchdowns. He also caught one pass for six yards. He made an impact on defense, as well. He was credited with eight tackles, one fumble recovery and one interception, which went for a touchdown.

Senior Domenic Papa was on the receiving end of one touchdown pass that went for 49 yards.

Flores said that Zamor was the standout on offense against the Rams, particularly in the second half, when he scored all of his team’s touchdowns in those final two quarters. The first-year coach had a more difficult time singling out individual contributions on the other side of the ball. “The defense as a whole was outstanding all game long,” he said. “I can’t single out any one guy. They all played together as one, forcing five turnovers, including a safety and an interception that went for a touchdown.”

But now, unfortunately, the Everett boys move on to the non-playoff games of their schedule. Flores doesn’t anticipate any letdown after being robbed of a playoff berth. “I don’t think there will be a hangover effect, but these teenagers are only human, and they have gone through a lot in a short amount of time,” he said.

Flores will find out the mood very quickly tonight (Nov. 3) when they host Lowell (2-6, 23^rd seed) in a 7 p.m. game at Everett Stadium. But if they want to maintain their winning streak, they will come out and play very hard, according to the coach. “[Lowell] will come in with a true spread offense, while playing a 3-4 defense,” he added.

For the record, St. John’s Prep (8-0), Xaverian Brothers (6-2), Needham (7-1), Andover (7-1), Lincoln-Sudbury (7-1), Methuen (6-2), Springfield Central (7-1), Boston College High (5-3), Taunton (5-3), Central Catholic (3-5), Natick (5-3), Weymouth (6-2), Franklin (5-3), Westford Academy (5-3), St. John’s of Shrewsbury (3-5) and Leominster (4-4) are the Top 16 2023 Division 1 teams. These playoff teams include BC High, which the Tide defeated in September. It’s just another example of a possible flaw in the process that left Flores’ squad bewildered to be left out of the postseason.