Tide football throttles Revere to secure fourth straight win

Everett, now ranked 16^th in the D-1 power rankings, hosts Medford tonight at 6 p.m. 

By Joe McConnell

After dropping a close opening night game to non-league host Xaverian, 32-21, the Everett High School football team (4-1), under the direction of first-year head coach Justin Flores, has rattled off four in a row, including last Friday night’s thrashing of host Revere, 48-6.

In just one week, the Crimson Tide have climbed four spots in the MIAA (Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association) Division 1 power rankings to 16^th place, as of Oct. 10. The top 16 clubs in the division – with at least three wins – make the playoffs that begin next month. Needham is currently on top with a 4-1 record. Lincoln-Sudbury (4-1), St. John’s Prep (5-0), Xaverian (3-2) and Methuen (4-1) round out the top five.

The game against the Patriots was pretty much over by halftime after the visitors racked up 34 unanswered points. The Everett boys tacked on two more touchdowns in the second half, one each in both the third and fourth quarters, to complete the onslaught.

The team obviously didn’t suffer any letdowns after edging BC High (4-1, eighth ranked in Division 1) in a thriller the previous week, 35-34, and the coach was pleased about that. “It shows that we have a mature team that knows how to take care of business, no matter who is the opponent,” Flores said.

Quarterback Carlos Rodrigues (10/10 for 200 passing yards, 2 TDs; 4 rushing yards, 1 TD) was the Tide’s offensive leader. On defense, the Everett front seven stood out for the coach. They didn’t allow many rushing yards, while holding Revere to just one touchdown very late in the game.

Rodrigues hooked up with Jayden Prophete (1 carry for 15 yards; 3 catches for 63 yards, 1 TD) for a 22-yard first quarter scoring strike to ignite the offense. Damien Lackland (11 carries for 122 yards, 2 TDs) completed another drive in the opening stanza on a one-yard run through the line.

Lackland then showed off his speed in the second quarter with a 52-yard burst to the endzone. Domenic Papa (1 reception for 25 yards, 1 TD) was on the receiving end of a 25-yard touchdown pass from Rodrigues later on in the period. Rodrigues then closed out the first half with a four-yard run to paydirt.

Jeremiah Clark (2 carries for 10 yards, 1 TD; 2/2 for 62 receiving yards) scored Everett’s third quarter touchdown after running the final eight yards for six points. Running back Manny Santiago (10 carries for 48 yards, 1 TD) accounted for the fourth quarter touchdown on a short two-yard run.

Matt Lamonica (1 carry, 12 yards), Jaysaun Coggins (3 receptions, 33 yards), Elijah Lassiter (2 receptions, 76 yards) and Jonathan Vasquez (1 reception, 4 yards) also contributed to the Everett offense against Revere.

The Tide will now host league rival Medford (3-2) tonight (Oct. 13) at Everett Stadium, starting at 6 p.m., and Flores expects a competitive game.

“(Medford) are going to be a tough team that does multiple things on the offensive side of the ball. They can spread it out and throw it or they can get under center in the I-formation and (run it up the middle),” the coach said. “On defense, they will look to stack the box to stop the run or play man in passing situations. But we will continue to play our game, while also limiting their explosive plays. But we must connect on ours.”