By Stephen Martellucci
For the second week in a row, the Everett High football team beat a Catholic Conference opponent as they knocked off visiting BC High, 35-21, in a hard-hitting game at Veterans’ Memorial Stadium last Saturday afternoon. With the win, the Crimson Tide stayed unbeaten at 7-0 while the Eagles fell to 4-3.
“It was a big win against a very good opponent,” said Everett head coach John DiBiaso, afterwards. “It was very gratifying.”
DiBiaso was also pleased about the balance the offense showed as they rushed for nearly as many yards as they passed for.
On the opening kickoff, DeSouza did not want to kick it to Eagles star running back Preston Cooper. The short kick then was recovered by Everett’s Jalen Felix deep in Eagle territory. Running back Vondell Langston then scored five-plays later from 12-yards out. The kick by Gilly DeSouza (5 for 5 in points after), made it 7-0 in favor of the locals.
BC High answered right away on its next possession as quarterback Bartley Regan hit Lincoln Collins with a 72-yard touchdown pass. The kick by Jackson Bockhurst (3 for 3 in extra points) tied the game at seven.
On its next series, the Tide marched 74-yards on seven plays capped off by a three-yard run by Langston to make it 14-7 late in the first quarter.
Everett’s defense then caused a turnover as Regan was picked off by Felix. Quarterback Jonathan DiBiaso then scored on a two-yard run several plays later and the Tide had a, 21-7, second-quarter advantage.
DeSouza, who also plays defensive back, then picked off Regan and had a 58-yard return to the BC High seven-yard line. A couple of plays later, DiBiaso scored on a five-yard run and it was 28-7.
The Eagles got back into the game later on in the second when Regan (7 for 16 passing for 177 yards, two interceptions and two touchdowns) hit Yosa Nosamiefan with a 60-yard scoring pass as the game went to halftime with the Tide up 28-14.
In the third quarter, the Eagles cut the lead to seven when Cooper (15 carries for 160 yards) broke open for a 59-yard touchdown run.
Aided by a roughing the punter call, the Tide was able to increase the lead back to 14 points later on in the third as DiBiaso (15 for 29 passing for 241 yards, one touchdown and one interception) connected with Jaylen McRae from 64-yards out.
Things got worse for the Eagles with just over a minute remaining in the third when Cooper dislocated his ankle.
“With him out it forced them to pass more and that is not what they are comfortable with,” said DiBiaso, about the impact of the injury.
Langston, who ran for 105 yards on 19 rushes, was named the Offensive Player of the Game with his two touchdowns. DeSouza, who also recovered a fumble along with his interception, was named the Defensive Player of the Game.
“With Gilly’s defense and kicking he is a very big asset,” stated DiBiaso.
That game was the last non-league game for the Tide as they will host Medford in the Greater Boston League opener tonight (Friday) at 7.
The Mustangs, under former DiBiaso assistant coach Rico Dello Iacono, enter the game with a record of 1-5 overall and 0-1 in the GBL.