Big plays boost Everett
Sainristil’s TD keys blowout of the Prep
Game-changing plays can happen at any moment.
For Everett, its gamechanger occurred in the first quarter yesterday against St. John’s Prep.
Everett’s Mike Sainristil fielded a punt at his own 5-yard line late in the quarter and took it 95 yards for a touchdown. The big play gave the Crimson Tide a wave of momentum to carry to a 3514 nonleague win at Everett’s Veterans Memorial Stadium.
“The play that changed the game around was the punt return,” said Everett coach John DiBiaso. “It was nothing-nothing at the time. That would have pinned us down inside our own 5-yard line. He made a nice catch on the ball. He made a nice play on the return and everybody blocked.”
It was just the beginning for Everett (2-1), as quarterback Jordan McAfee connected on a 25-yard touchdown pass to Anthony Norcia to take a 14-0 with 6:24 to go in the second quarter. The Crimson Tide added another score just before the half, going 56 yards in four plays with McAfee capping it off with a 13-yard touchdown pass to Sainristil.
“They’re unbelievable, I’ve never had receivers like that my whole career,” McAfee said. “Great speed. Great hands. I love playing with them.”
St. John’s Prep (1-2) had a chance to turn things around, but came up empty twice in the first half despite getting deep into Everett territory. The Eagles couldn’t hold off the Crimson Tide’s defensive line as it continually harassed quarterback Mike Yarin and got the Prep’s offense out of rhythm.
Everett put the game away on its first play of the second half when Chris Jenkins ripped off an 83-yard touchdown run to make it 28-0 with 4:01 left in the third quarter.
McAfee, who finished 12of-14 passing for 153 yards and three scores, continued to shine with another touchdown pass to Sainristil in the fourth quarter.
St. John’s Prep got touchdown runs from Aise Pream and Chris Burke late in the final frame to deny Everett the shutout.