Everett High School has had some great defensive players in its history – Diamond Ferri, Frank Nuzzo III., Jimmy Noel, Lukas Denis, and Jason Maitre, just to name a few.
But EHS junior Jayden Prophete accomplished a feat versus Malden last Friday night that may be unprecedented in the Crimson Tide program’s glorious history. A junior safety, Prophete intercepted two passes and returned both for touchdowns in a 42-6 victory over Malden.
The win sets up a GBL title game between Everett (5-0, GBL, 6-1 overall) and Lynn Classical (4-0, GBL, 5-1 overall) for Friday night at Manning Field in Lynn. The winner of that game will be the GBL champion while there is a distinct possibility that the loser will not qualify for the MIAA playoffs.
Head coach Rob DiLoreto affirmed that Prophete’s twin Pick-6s – one for 45 yards and the other for 35 yards – were the undisputed highlight of Everett’s sixth consecutive victory. Everett also had a third defensive touchdown when Jaiden Williams scooped up a fumble at the Malden 7-yard line after teammate Christian Zamor had intercepted a pass, only to have the football stripped from his grasp during the 40-yard return.
“I don’t recall any Everett player returning two interceptions for touchdowns,” said DiLoreto about Prophete’s accomplishment. “And I don’t think I’ve ever coached a game in which my team scored three touchdowns on defense. It was a very impressive defensive performance.”
Everett quarterback Kamarri Ellerbe opened the scoring against Malden with an 85-yard run for a touchdown. Karmarri also scored a touchdown on a 21-yard run. Damien Lackland scored on a 3-yard run in the second quarter to help Everett take a commanding 42-0 lead at the half. Placekicker Adonis Santos was a perfect 6-of-6 on extra points.
DiLoreto said Lynn Classical, who rallied to defeat Revere, 20-14, Friday to stay unbeaten in the GBL, will be “a huge challenge” defensively. Classical, led by former Everett High assistant coach Brian Vaughan, likes to control the football and in fact, the Rams limited Revere to only five offensive possessions in their last game.
“We really need to practice hard,” said DiLoreto. “I’m proud of how hard our defense is working and they performed very well versus Malden, but we know our biggest challenge of the year is upcoming against Lynn Classical.”
Interestingly, Brian Vaughan was recently inducted into the Lynn English Hall of Fame. He is now the head coach of English’s Thanksgiving opponent and crosstown rival, Lynn Classical. After leading Lynn English to the 1990 Super Bowl as a 5-foot-5-inch All-Scholastic running back, Vaughan went on to play college football at Northeastern where he rushed for 2,481 yards in his career. Northeastern, which is also the alma mater of Everett all-time great Dan Ross, disbanded its football program in 2009.