Everett makes opening statement
Beats Xaverian in OT on the road
WESTWOOD — After seeing a late lead slip away, Everett found a way to pick up a statement openingnight win.
Despite surrendering a 10point fourth-quarter lead to Xaverian, Everett managed to regroup in overtime as Jaylen Murphy came through with a clutch stop on the conversion try while Cam Mohamed ran in both the tying touchdown and game winning two-point rush as the Crimson Tide knocked off the No. 2 host Hawks, 21-19, on Friday night in Westwood.
Everett (1-0) celebrated in style after the victory, dousing head coach Rob DiLoreto in buckets of water while running over to share in the elation with their fans.
“We just had to stay true to ourselves and stay in the moment,” DiLoreto said. “There were many times tonight that it could have went their way but the one thing I am most proud of is family. We gritted ourselves to that win in overtime.”
Xaverian (0-1) trailed 13-3 entering the final quarter and looked poised to go quietly due to a sputtering offense. The Hawks, however, found some rhythm early in the frame as an 11-play, 79yard drive capped off by a Jake Gilbert 1-yard quarterback keeper pulled Xaverian within 13-10.
The Hawks defense then forced an Everett punt, giving their offense the ball back on their own 28 with 1:22 remaining.
Gilbert immediately drove Xaverian down the field, hitting Charlie Comella for 43 yards before scampering for six yards to put the Hawks in the red zone. Xaverian had a chance to win the game but a beautiful pass over the middle by Gilbert was broken up by Boston College-bound defensive back Ismael Zamor, forcing the Hawks to settle for a 28-yard game-tying field goal off the leg of Oliver Waddleton.
“A family sticks together in hard times. Even when we were up 13-3 we knew the game was not over,” Zamor said. “Xaverian is a very good team. Their coaching staff is terrific and they are disciplined. This is a big win for us as we go deeper into the season.”
In the overtime, Joe Kelcourse opened the scoring as his third-down rush from three yards out put Xaverian up 19-13. Murphy, however, came through with a huge tackle on the conversion try, keeping the Crimson Tide within six and setting the stage for Mohamed’s heroics.
Xaverian got on the board on its opening drive as Kelcourse rushed four times for 30 yards to set up a 25-yard field goal for Waddleton.
Everett responded on its next drive as Karmarri Ellerbe connected with Zamor for a 59-yard touchdown to give the Crimson Tide a 7-3 lead.
The score remained 7-3 into the second half before Moses Seide gave Everett some breathing room. The senior receiver beat his defender, hauled in a perfect Ellerbe throw, fumbled, picked the ball back up, and sprinted the distance for a 79-yard touchdown to give Everett a 13-3 advantage late in the third quarter.