No. 4 Crimson Tide nip No. 3 Xaverian Hawks, 21-19, on Cam Mohamed TD in heavy weight battle
By LORENZO RECUPERO
The Crimson Tide opened the season Friday against one of its most familiar foes and got a game-deciding performance from one of its most unfamiliar faces.
In the 21-19 overtime victory, the Tide (1-0) proved too much to overcome for host Xaverian Brothers High school, whose come from behind effort to steal a win fell just short as Cam Mohamed scampered in for the winning TD and conversion.
It was quarterback Karmarri Ellerbe rolling onto the scene to lift Everett.
With two touchdown passes in a game where TDs were hard to come by, quarterback Karmarri Ellerbe rolled onto the scene making his first-ever varsity start at QB, made sure his opponents got a good glimpse of who he is and what he can do.
In the first quarter, Ellerbe dropped a 56-yard dime to speedy wide receiver Ismael Zamor, and again in the third quarter upped the stakes and hooked up with Moses Seids for an 80-yard TD connection to push Everett to a 10-point lead.
“Karmarri made a great throw, it was right on the money,” said Zamor of his TD strike from Ellerbe. “I feel proud to see his hard work pay off. It’s amazing to see it,” said the senior receiver of the Tide’s newest addition to their offense.
Leading 13-3 after three frames, Xaverian stormed back with 10 unanswered points in the fourth quarter on a 1-yard rush for TD and a 28-yard field goal to take the game into OT.
In extra time, it was a short touchdown run and conversion from Cam Mohamed that sealed the win for the Tide.
“Karmarri showed tremendous poise in his first start as our quarterback, said EHS head coach Robert DiLoreto. “He made some big throws at key points in the game which helped our team win!”
Ellerbe and Everett will hit the gridiron Veterans Memorial Stadium for their home-opener on Friday, September 17 against Somerville at 6 p.m.