THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, JunE 28, 2024 Page 15 Everett football seniors suit up for one last time as scholastic athletes in the annual Shriners, Agganis games MacKenzie, Papa, LaMonica will be teammates once again at AiC in the fall By Joe McConnell S tandout North Shore high school football seniors once again had the opportunity to play the game they love so much one last time as a scholastic athlete this month, when they were on the grand stage against their all-star peers. For some, they were lucky enough to be chosen for two traditional all-star games: The Shriners Classic at Bentley University on June 15, and the Agganis All-Star extravaganza at Lynn’s Manning Field on June 26. The North defeated the South in the Shriners game, 21-17. The Agganis game took place after press deadline. The Everett High School football team had its share of allstars for both contests after winning another Greater Boston League (GBL) title with a 6-0 record under the direction of first-year head coach Justin Flores last fall. They were 9-2 overall. However, the Crimson Tide failed to make the Division 1 playoffs, despite losing just once during the regular season. Only the Top 16 make it, and the Everett boys ended up 18th with a 7-1 record. But Matthew LaMonica with the ball against Xaverian last September. (Advocate file photo) at least for many of the team’s seniors, they were able to get some satisfaction as all-star participants in these games. In the Agganis game, the Tide players were split up between the two squads. Jeremiah Jeanlouis and Jayden Prophete were on the North team, while Matt LaMonica, Adoni Santos, Dom Papa, Carlos Cornejo, Shane MacKenzie and Jason Stark suited up for the South. Damian Lockland carries the ball during last Sept.’s action against Xaverian. Christian Zamor played on the winning North team in the Shriners game, and he was joined there by his Everett teammates Prophete and MacKenzie. “It’s great to see the guys get one last opportunity to play together, especially considering the fact how large our senior class was last fall with 25plus seniors on the roster,” said Flores. “I was excited to see them representing us in these games, because it’s really a big deal to play in them.” These Tide players, for the most part, will be playing college football in the fall. But for three of them – MacKenzie, LaMonica and Papa – they will remain teammates after accepting offers to play for AIC (American International College) in Springfield this fall. “This is a very unique situation, because it’s not that often a college gets two, let alone three from the same high school in the same year. They made the decision to go there at different times, but in the end, it was the right fit for all three of them,” said Flores. “I’m excited to see them play and grow together over the next couple of years at AIC.” According to Flores, the Yellow Jackets play in the Northeast-10 Conference, and it’s a league that has been growing competitively each year. Everett Little League Williamsport stars begin district tourney tomorrow morning at Sacramone By Joe McConnell t’s that time of year again when the best 11–12-year-old Little League all-stars throughout the state start competing against their neighboring communities in the district portion of the Williamsport Tournament, the granddaddy of all baseball competitions on this age level. Last year, the Everett Little I League stars (5-1), managed by Joe Young, won District 12 after narrowly defeating Melrose in the title game, 2-1. They STOP BULLYING | FROM PAGE 11 tinuing to send a child to a camp where they are being bullied is detrimental to their health. Request a refund from the camp and find an alternative option. “Summer camp needs bullying prevention, just like school does,” added Smalley. “We are happy to then went on to participate in the State Section 3 Tournament, where Canton came out on top to advance to the state finals. Parkway, Wellesley and of course Everett were the other sectional opponents. Marc Harr, who just guided the Red Sox to the Major League championship Tuesday night at Sacramone Park as their head coach, is the manager of this year’s Williamsport team. The Sox (14-4) defeated the Angels, the regular season champs, 5-3 in the third and deciding game help schools, camps, and communities up their bully prevention game!” Stand for the Silent travels the country, providing seminars and talks for communities and schools. They also offer helpful materials online to help people with bullying issues. Each year, they also give scholarships to to take home the title. Harr’s squad, who finished second during the regular season, also beat the Rays, the third-place team, in the first round two games to one. Harr scheduled his first Williamsport practice Wednesday night ahead of his team’s first district game tomorrow (June 29, 10 a.m.) at Sacramone Park against the winner of the South Boston / Dorchester contest. Everett received a first-round bye. The 2024 Major League-winning championship head coach students who help address bullying at their schools. To get more information on how to have the organization do a presentation or how to start a local chapter, visit the site at: https://standforthesilent.org/ Smalley and his wife, Laura, started the organization following their 11-year-old son, endis carrying 13 on the Williamsport roster. “We have six or seven capable pitchers and four solid catchers on the roster, while the rest of the team has the talent to play multiple positions,” Harr said, “and from top to bottom they are also good hitters.” Daniel Harr, Shane Gaskill and cousins Joseph and Denzel Reyes are the team’s top four pitchers. Catchers Davin Graham, Allie Grant, Natalia Negron and Jason Oliviera will split the time behind the plate. ing his own life due to bullying. They turned their pain and loss into a mission of helping others. He travels the country giving presentations about bullying to schools, providing bullying prevention, giving out scholarships, offering intervention strategies, and more. Those interested in getting involved can start a chapThroughout the past few days, Harr is getting to know his personnel, and where to play them in the field. But by tomorrow morning, they will be in place to begin the district tournament, again at Sacramone Park. “We have a bunch of universal players right now, who are capable of playing multiple positions,” Harr said. Billy Kotsiopoulos and Billy Gaskill are Harr’s assistant coaches, who are now helping him get the players ready for the long journey ahead. ter of the group in their area, obtain a free K-2 bullying prevention curriculum or cyberbullying handbook for parents, host a presentation at their school, introduce the How All Started video, and donate to help support the cause. To get more information, visit the site at: https://standforthesilent.org/
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