In an extended historical past of standout Everett quarterbacks, Karmarri Ellerbe is trying to cement his personal legacy.
Following within the footsteps of former greats equivalent to Matt Nuzzo, John DiBiaso and Jake Wilcox, Ellerbe has the Crimson Tide firmly within the Division 1 Super Bowl dialog as his throughout skillset makes him one of many premier playmakers in Massachusetts.
“He’s tough and he is fearless,” Everett coach Rob DiLoreto mentioned. “He plays within the moment. He does not let a positive play go to his head too much. He is very even tempered.”
The Everett native has been taking part in soccer since he was 5 years outdated. Despite being the youngest participant on the sector and infrequently taking part in up in age divisions, Ellerbe excelled on account of his linebacker-esque construct.
As he bought nearer to highschool, Ellerbe grew to become extra acquainted with the historical past that adopted the Crimson Tide program. He went to video games, heard tales of alums who went on to play school {and professional} soccer, and have become enamored with suiting up within the crimson and gold.
“When I was a little kid I used to see the alumni and current high school kids talking about the greatness of this program,” Ellerbe recalled. “It just seemed special.”
When DiLoreto arrived at Everett for his first season as head coach he was impressed by what he noticed in Ellerbe. His sheer dimension for a quarterback was clear, however so too have been his uncooked intangibles, together with his toughness, management qualities and competitiveness.
As a sophomore throughout the ‘Fall II’ season in 2021, Ellerbe was handed over on the beginning place for Sammy Lamothe so he served because the backup. When he arrived within the fall for his junior as soon as once more the beginning job was no assure.
“After he lost in the battle as a sophomore, he once again competed for the job in the fall against a senior and earned the position,” DiLoreto mentioned. “Then we knew he was a starter coming back this year but he has had to earn it and that has helped his performance. He has not been able to take his position for granted.”
Ellerbe flourished throughout his junior season, main Evertt to notable wins, together with on the street at Xaverian and an 8-1 total season. This time across the senior has carried out one higher as he has befuddled defenses together with his capability to bulldoze opposing defensive fronts, use his pace to interrupt away from secondaries, and showcase his arm energy for essential completions.
Unlike most quarterbacks who could also be lankier or taller, Ellerbe is simply the other as he raises eyebrows at 6-foot-2, 225 kilos.
“I think I surprise a lot of teams when they show up to play against us in the respect that most quarterbacks are taller or skinnier but I am a decent size strength wise,” Ellerbe mentioned.
For the season, Ellerbe has proven that he’s a real twin menace quarterback. He has thrown for 640 yards and eight touchdowns whereas including 845 yards and 10 extra scores on the bottom.
“I always tell our guys to just get us into third and short,” DiLoreto mentioned. “Because when we get there, Kaarmarri gives us so many options with his ability to run downhill in particular.”
While Ellerbe might not be slated to pile up the passing yardage of the aforementioned Crimson Tide quarterbacks, he’s nonetheless in place to steer Everett to the highest of Massachusetts soccer.
The Crimson Tide are set to tackle No. 3 Central Catholic in a battle between faculties with loads of historical past within the Division 1 quarterfinals. On the sidelines for that sport will probably be Karmarri’s twin sister, who serves as an Everett cheerleader, simply one other signal that the Ellerbe household is one other one who has absorbed the custom of Everett soccer.
“There are big shoes to fill here,” Elerbee mentioned. “Players who have come through this program have played professionally, at big Division 1 schools. I’ve been waiting for this opportunity to represent this program since freshman year. Now it’s up to me to take advantage.”
NAME: Karmarri Ellerbe
SCHOOL: Everett Memorial High School
AGE: Senior
HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6-2, 225
POSITION: Quarterback
ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Two-year starter
FAVORITE PERSONAL MOMENT IN SPORTS: Playing for the folks I like and town behind me
FAVORITE COURSE IN SCHOOL: English
LEAST FAVORITE COURSE IN SCHOOL: Math
FAVORITE PIGOUT FOOD: Steak
FAVORITE TV SHOW: Anything on ESPN
FAVORITE MUSICIAN: Lil’ Baby
FAVORITE VIDEO GAME: Madden
FAVORITE SMARTPHONE APP: Tik Tok
FAVORITE PRO SPORTS TEAM: Baltimore Ravens
FAVORITE ATHLETE: Cam Newton
HOW DO YOU PREPARE FOR A GAME: I hearken to music and tune out distractions
IF YOU COULD BE SOMEONE ELSE FOR A DAY, WHO WOULD IT BE: Bill Gates
CAREER AMBITIONS: National Football League
Source: www.bostonherald.com