EVERETT — With the Greater Boston League title on the line, the Everett Crimson Tide (7-1) proved to be too much for visiting Lynn Classical (5-3) in a 43-12 final.
After a failed onside kick to start the game, the Crimson Tide got the ball in good field position. The result: quarterback Carlos Rodrigues running it 57 yards to the 1-yard line.
Everett punched it in the very next play, courtesy of Manny Santiago (7-0).
Despite being satisfied with his team’s defensive gameplan, Classical coach Brian Vaughan recognized its mistakes.
“We just had a breakdown on that first play of the game and Everett caught us off guard and took advantage, he said.
The Rams responded with a touchdown of their own with Brian Vaughan Jr. (15-of-27, 164 yards) scoring on a quarterback keeper to make it 7-6 after a failed two-point conversion.
Everett took a 9-6 lead into the break thanks to an intentional grounding call in the endzone, rewarding the hosts with a safety.
At that point in the game, Vaughan was happy with his offense, too.
“I think, in the first half, we did a pretty decent job moving the ball. I thought we accomplished some of the things we worked on,” he said.
But in the second half, it was a different story.
Everett, which has 75 players on its roster, eventually wore down the smaller Rams, leading to shorter drives for Classical and, more importantly, fatigue.
“I just think, in the second half, they wore us down with the bodies that they have. They have a lot of guys going only one way, and I think it fatigued us a bit,” Vaughan said.
Everett scored two touchdowns midway through the third quarter to take a commanding 23-6 lead.
“We had some opportunities, but we also blew some opportunities,” Vaughan said. “I think they put the ball on the ground between their offense and special teams around seven times, and we didn’t get it once. We missed some opportunities that could have definitely helped us. That’s how football goes.”
A standout player for Classical was Javon Clayborn. The junior running back rushed for 96 yards and a touchdown.
“He’s a strong runner. He’s still learning how to play the game as this is his first year playing varsity football,” Vaughan said. “He’s getting better every week… he looked good running the ball, got us some first downs, and I was happy with the output our o-line put in to create holes.”
