Default [Q] cant activate my evo to cricket

i must have tried over 80 prls to get the *228 to work but it never does ne thing i keep getting welcome to verizon wireless to program ur phone hit 1 and i did and it says cant be program call this # blah and another one it say if u like to make a call to a mobile wireless but ask u for a credit card blah blah i followed www howardforums com guide i live in chicago il and i know cricket has coverage in my area so idk what im doing wrong PLZ HELP