Streak is Stopped : Crimson Tide’s 28-game Win Streak Washed Away in 13-7 Double-overtime Loss to Barnstable

The Everett Crimson Tide battled Barnstable in the rain last Friday night, as well as their own mistakes, and came up on the wrong side of a 13-7 double-overtime decision that ended their 28-game win streak and put their hopes for a third consecutive state championship in doubt.

Heading into the game Friday night Everett was ranked No. 1 in the state in both the Boston Globe and Boston Herald high school football polls. Barnstable was ranked  No. 2 in the Globe.  Both teams knew they would have to battle each other and the elements, but Everett also ended up battling its own mistakes and missed opportunities in the loss.

“We just didn’t play well,” Everett coach John DiBiaso said after the game. “They played good defense, but you have to score when you‘re on the one-yard line and that usually isn’t a problem for us.”

Though Everett played terrific defense for most of the game, it was the things that they did not do that cost them the game.

They did not take advantage of their opportunities, failing to score twice from the 1-yard line. They also did not protect the ball when it mattered most and were hurt by a forced fumble near the end of regulation, after the Red Raiders had tied the game, and an interception in double-overtime, after Barnstable had taken a six-point lead.

The rain that fell throughout the game certainly did not make their task any easier. In the soggy conditions, the Crimson Tide was not able to take advantage of its speed advantage, but Barnstable’s high-flying aerial attack, led by standout quarterback Nick Peabody was also hurt by the weather.

Following an early one-yard scoring by Jalen Felix in the first quarter, and a 7-0 lead, both teams dug in an focused on playing solid defense, with the Barnstable team, coming up biggest when Everett got close to their end zone.

Red Raider quarterback Peabody ended up connecting with receiver Dylan Morris on both scores, a 37-yard strike on fourth and 11 at the Everett 37 in the fourth quarter and an eight yard score in the second overtime, that ended up being the difference.

The Crimson Tide will  play a Greater Boston league game at Cambridge on Friday, October 5 at 7 p.m., and then travel to Xaverian on Saturday, October 13.

When Everett again takes the field at Memorial Stadium, it will be against Boston College High School on October 19, under the lights.

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