Missed chances doom Prep in loss to Everett

EVERETT – St. John’s Prep marched into Veterans Memorial Stadium and nearly knocked off the top-ranked team in the state, the Everett Crimson Tide.A series of penalties, a costly turnover, and an incomplete pass on fourth down all led to the Eagles’ first loss of the season.Everett (3-0) escaped with a 19-7 victory in front of a packed Homecoming crowd on a beautiful Saturday afternoon.Both teams traded touchdowns on their opening possession of the game. Everett got the ball first and scored on senior Jakarrie Washington’s one-yard plunge. Then St. John’s took the ball and got on the scoreboard with a nine-yard screen pass from senior quarterback Jake Sharrio to Alex Moore.Late in the first half, St. John’s (2-1) drove the ball to the 1-yard line after a 15-yard pass from Sharrio to Moore on a slant. The Eagles were called for an illegal procedure penalty while trying to spike the ball. Head coach Jim O’Leary called a timeout to avoid the 10-second run-off.During the timeout, O’Leary switched between putting his offense and his field goal unit before he made the final decision to go for the touchdown. Sharrio was forced out of the pocket and he threw an interception in the end zone to Everett junior defensive back Luben Figaro with three seconds left in the half. St. John’s remained ahead 7-6, but Everett gained the momentum heading into the locker room.In the second half, Everett’s winning touchdown was set up by a 41-yard pass along the left sideline from senior quarterback Gilly DeSouza to Washington (4 catches, 70 yards). Three plays later, senior Kenny Calaj scored from nine yards on a run to the left side.The Prep had another opportunity to regain the advantage. Junior Michael Fawehinmi picked off a pass by DeSouza and brought the ball back for a touchdown. St. John’s was called for a clipping penalty. Instead of celebrating a lead, the Eagles were back on their 25-yard line. Everett’s Omar Graciano deflected a pass from Sharrio on second down and sacked Sharrio on fourth down to give the ball back to the Tide.The Prep received the ball on its 4-yard line with 2:22 remaining in the game. DeSouza pinned the Eagles with a 52-yard coffin corner punt. St. John’s was facing a 12-7 deficit in its most important drive of the game. Junior halfback Johnathan Thomas (18 carries, 98 yards) was held to just three yards on first and second downs. Sharrio tossed two incomplete passes to give the ball back to Everett with 1:32 left in the game.On the very next play, Everett senior running back Jalen Felix (96 yards rushing) clinched the game with a 7-yard sprint around the left end to the end zone.This game lived up to its pregame hype between the top teams in the state, but Everett capitalized on St. John’s mistakes.