Page 8 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, SEpTEmbER 18, 2026 Crimson Tide football stages second half comeback to beat Arlington in home opener; Girls soccer unbeaten; Boys soccer drops pair to wrap up the first week of the fall schedule By Joe McConnell Freshman QB Michael Walsh turns in successful debut I t was an evening of mixed emotions for Everett High football coach Rob DiLoreto, but it all ended well, when the Crimson Tide defeated nonleague Arlington rather handily in the home opener on Sept. 11 at Veterans Memorial Stadium, 42-27. DiLoreto knows something about the Spy Ponders, having spent years there as a longtime educator / coach. He wouldn’t be human if he wasn’t caught up in the moment. “Although I tried my best to stay focused on the task at hand, Friday night was personally a very emotional night for me,” a reflective DiLoreto said days later. “I did not enjoy coaching against the school that I worked at for 29 wonderful years. I was honored to also be their football coach. I have lifelong relationships with my former (Arlington) students, players, colleagues and all of their families. I’m forever grateful for my time in Arlington, but now I’m hyper-focused and fully committed to being the best educator and coach in my hometown (of Everett).” In last Friday night’s game, visiting Arlington led the Tide at halftime, 21-7. But the second half was a different story, when the home team scored 28 points, including 22 in the fourth quarter to win the game going away. After Arlington took an early first quarter lead, freshman quarterback Michael Walsh came right back to complete an eight-yard touchdown pass to captain Armani Negron. Luca DaSilva followed with the extra point kick to tie up the proceedings. But the Spy Ponders scored the next 14 points. Walsh started the comeback in the third quarter with a 20yard scoring strike to Roshon Belony. DaSilva’s kick trimmed the deficit to 21-14. Tide running back Tyler Freni on the carry for Everett during Everett’s 42-27 home win against Arlington on Friday. Captain Tyler Freni was credited with the next two Everett scores on runs of seven and six yards, respectively to give his teammates their first lead in the game. After his second score, Walsh hooked up with captain Jamuari Dulin for two more points on the conversion try. The Everett offense remained relentless the rest of the way, before closing it out with budding star signal caller Walsh completing another eight-yard TD pass to Negron. DaSilva then nailed his third extra point try to put the final exclamation point on this satisfying opening night win. Following his spectacular first game as a varsity quarterback, DiLoreto said that he was not really surprised by Walsh’s calm demeanor. “Michael is a very talented quarSPORTS | SEE PAGE 9 Tide Freshman quarterback Michael Walsh with the ball for Everett. (Advocate photos by Emily Harney)
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