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Everett 21, Tewksbury 20

Everett’s defense holds in win over Tewksbury

Everett running back Nick Orekoya (1) scored twice to help beat Tewksbury. Josh Reynolds/For the Globe
Everett21
Tewksbury20

EVERETT – Jordan McAfee found Lukas Denis for the winning touchdown in the third quarter and Nick Orekoya scored twice to lift fifth-ranked Everett over No. 12 Tewksbury, 21-20, on Friday night at Veterans Memorial Stadium.

The Crimson Tide struggled to contain Tewksbury running back James Sullivan (65 yards rushing, 26 yards receiving before halftime) for much of the first half, but turned things around after halftime. The Everett defense hunkered down and shut out the Redmen in the second half.

“We hung in at the end,” said Everett coach John DiBiaso. “Our defense played better in the second half. We played a much better second half on both sides of the ball. I think [Tewksbury] got a little tired, they had a lot of guys going both ways. And I think we made some adjustments at halftime that helped us.”

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Trailing, 20-14, the Tide took advantage of a bad punt to set up the winning score. Tewksbury’s punt went only 8 yards, giving Everett the ball at the Redmen’s 40-yard line. Five plays later, McAfee delivered a laser over the middle for Denis, who took it 29 yards to give Everett a 21-20 lead with 2:17 to go in the third quarter.

“That was a big play, McAfee to Denis to put us up,” said DiBiaso. “You count on Lukas to make the big plays. He’s a leader on the team. He’s gotta come up big.”

Neither team could muster much on offense in the fourth quarter, but Tewksbury had one final chance in the waning seconds. Facing fourth and 14 from his 39 with 19 seconds to go, quarterback Brett Morris heaved one down the field but the pass landed out of bounds.

Everett took over on downs and ran out the clock.

Tewksbury scored on its first possession of the game when James Hirtle burst up the right side for a 22-yard score to make it 6-0. But the snap on the extra point was fumbled and ended up being the difference in the game.

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“Special teams won the game,” said DiBiaso.

That rang true once again on the very next possession. Tewksbury forced Everett to punt, but fumbled and gave the ball back to the Tide at their 45.

Everett capitalized, needing just three plays and 53 seconds to take the lead.

Orekoya broke through the line and scampered 47 yards to give the Tide a 7-6 advantage.

Sullivan returned the kickoff 63 yards to the Everett 33. The senior gave his team the lead back when he caught a 30-yard screen pass from Morris for a touchdown that made it 13-7.

Everett got another break on special teams when it attempted to punt from its 35 in the third quarter.

Omar Herrera fumbled the snap but ran for a first down and drew a 15-yard personal foul to extend the drive. Orekoya finished it off with a 1-yard rush to give Everett a 14-13 lead.

Tewksbury responded on the ensuing drive when Morris found Sullivan again, this time for a 22-yard score.