Tide football drops second straight game to Catholic Conference foes

Despite the losses, Everett is currently in the playoffs as the 15^th seed, but to stay there they need more wins

By Joe McConnell

For the second consecutive week, the Everett High School football team (1-3) went up against non-league Division 1 Catholic Conference opponents with the same unfortunate results.

The Xaverian Hawks (2-1) bested the Tide first, 56-27, and last Friday night on the BC High campus in Dorchester, the host Eagles (3-0) were even more dominant to the tune of 46-7. With just four regular season games left before the playoffs, you might say the Crimson Tide are now in must-win situations.

Everett coach Justin Flores also agrees with that notion. “We have to win more games to make the playoffs, and the minimum threshold for us is three wins,” he said after last week’s game against the Eagles.

Flores understands that his squad has to quickly get back on track after last week’s loss to BC High if they hope to remain in playoff contention. But ironically, despite their sub-.500 record, the Tide would be in the postseason right now as the 15^th seed in Division 1, according to the Oct. 1 power rankings.

The second-year coach’s theory to play a stronger schedule to improve their playoff odds seems to be working out quite well. Xaverian is just ahead of the Eagles in fourth place. The Eagles are fifth overall.

The postseason includes the Top 16 clubs in each division. But to stay in the Top 16, Flores knows that his club has to start playing better in a hurry. As previously stated, he figures that they need to win at least three more games to accomplish their postseason goal.

To that end, Flores said after last week’s game against BC High: “We have to execute our gameplans better, and commit less turnovers and penalties,” while adding, “no individuals stood out (in the BC High game), and as a result we rushed for only 260 yards as a team, and our tackling and pass protection needs to improve. There’s nothing to be happy about in another blowout loss.”

Taunton is up next for the Tide, when they come to Everett Veterans Memorial Stadium tonight (Oct. 4) for a 7 p.m. game. The Tigers are presently 2-1 after losing to North Attleborough last week, 42-8. They won their first two games of the season against longtime Big 3 rivals New Bedford (37-7) and Durfee (24-14).

Following the Taunton game, the Everett boys will be on a bye week before resuming the schedule on Saturday afternoon, Oct. 19, versus host Brockton, starting at 1 p.m. The Boxers round out the Big 3, and are currently 0-3 going into their game tonight at Lawrence. They already lost to Barnstable (10-7), Franklin (35-7) and Lincoln-Sudbury (17-14).

Flores expects another physical game tonight. “Taunton will be physical and tough up front, and it also has speed at the skill positions,” he said. “They also have a very good quarterback and a linebacking core that leads them.”

For the record, here’s the breakdown on the Everett numbers against BC High: Quarterback Carlos Rodrigues (11-for-20 passing for 62 yards with 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions. He carried the ball 14 times for 89 yards); Manny Santiago (10 rushes for 93 yards); Joao Barreiros (1 catch for 5 yards, and 4 rushes for 55 yards); Gidion Legall (4 receptions for 25 yards); Armani Negron (1 reception for 10 yards); and Yariel Ortiz (5 receptions for 17 yards, 1 touchdown).