By Lorenzo Recupero
Hibernation season is over.
The sleeping Everett Football giant is up and running again.
It’s fall and a new roster of EHS football players will be vying for a title.
And you may recall the undefeated 2017 season being the last time Everett High School hanged an MIAA State Championship banner, but this could be the year the Crimson Tide end the drought.
After graduating over 30 seniors a season ago, EHS will be relying on a fresh crop of talent and first-year football athletes to help rise to the challenge. Led by just three returning starters, including quarterback Karmarri Ellerbe, wide receiver/defensive back Giacobbe Ward, and lineman Nick Raymond, coach Robert DiLoreto is preparing for his third year to be the charm of his tenure at the helm thus far.
So while we anticipate Friday’s season-opening contest with longtime rival Xaverian, who the Tide bested 21-19 in overtime a year ago, let us take a pre-kickoff peek at what lies ahead.
Head Coach: Robert DiLoreto (3rd season).
Field Type: Artificial turf (Everett Veterans Memorial Stadium).
League: Greater Boston (GBL).
Record Last Year: 10-1.
Returning Starters: Karmarri Ellerbe, senior, quarterback; Nick Raymond, senior, lineman; Giacobbe Ward, senior, wide receiver/defensive back.
Strengths: Team speed, strength, conditioning, discipline, and family culture.
Concerns: First-year players at most positions.
Outlook: Although the Tide graduated the majority of starters from a season ago, having a veteran athlete like Ellerbe return to play quarterback — one of the most vital positions on any football team — should be encouraging. His ability to power run and throw an effective deep ball should pose a weekly challenge for opposing defenses and open room for emerging players to make their mark. Team captains, Giacobbe Ward, Nick Raymond, Marcos Pereira, Ralph Pierre, and seller be will be tasked with leading the younger teammates, and coach DiLoreto has high praise for each ones ability to do so. “We really emphasized trust this year,” said DiLoreto. “We have to trust that our offense, defense, and special teams is aligned. We must work together on all three phases, especially on defense we must be accountable for our positions,” he said. “We always have high standards here. We know we are measure against other top teams and we are going to do our best to represent the city,” said DiLoreto.
Season opener: Friday, September 9, 7PM, vs. Xaverian @ Everett Veterans Memorial Stadium.
With the season almost underway and Xaverian coming to town Friday, the only question now is: who’s got next?