The Everett High football team left no doubt that it was the best team in Massachusetts, rolling to a 31-7 victory over St. John’s Prep in the Division 1 Super Bowl Saturday at Gillette Stadium.
Coach DiBiaso’s Crimson Tide saved their best for last in dismantling a Prep team that was looking to spoil Everett’s perfect season.
Quarterback Jonathan DiBiaso lived up to the moment by throwing three touchdown passes to Matt Costello and completing 16 of 21 passes for 248 yards. DiBiaso finished a phenomenal junior season with record-breaking 43 touchdown passes.
Costello caught 11 passes for 145 yards in a performance that has to rank among the best ever by a receiver in a Super Bowl. Costello made a nice over the shoulder catch for his first touchdown and later made a nifty grab just inside the pylon in the end zone. On both occasions, DiBiaso threw the ball right on the money.
Manny Asprilla was another offensive force for the Tide. The Boston College-bound senior had 10 rushes for 178 yards and one touchdown. Asprilla also caught three passes for 84 yards.
The defense was immense in limiting St. John’s to one touchdown on its first possessions. Defensive players Ralph Jonathas, Milton Lopez, Paul Marckini, Vondell Langston, Kenny Calaj, Chris McCarthy, Ryan Pietrantonio, Ronald Richard, Manny Asprilla, and Ra’ess Wingard kept the vaunted Prep running game in check.
McCarthy, a junior linebacker, was especially immense in the middle of the Tide’s defense.
St. John’s struck first on a 48-yard run by Tyler Coppola. But Everett responded well on the ensuing possession, culminating with a 29-yard strike from DiBiaso to Costello.
After that, DiBiaso showcased the accuracy and poise that made him the state’s most prolific quarterback this season. The St. John’s Prep defensive secondary made different adjustments to try to contain Costello, but the speedy senior found the seam in the defense and DiBiaso consistently delivered strikes to his receiver.
Everett won its eight Division 1 Super Bowl championship in 14 years. It played one of the toughest non-league schedules ever and soared past its Greater Boston League rivals. Some are calling it the best team in recent EHS history, but that is a discussion for another day.
“I’m so proud of every player and every coach on this team,” said head coach John DiBiaso, whose staff put together a tremendous game plan that his team executed superbly. “Everyone worked so hard for this all year.”
Superintendent of Schools Fred Foresteire, whose support of the program has allowed it to flourish and become the crown jewel in Bay State football, offered congratulations to the players and coaches.
“The championship season is certainly a result of a committed group of young men and coaching staff,” said Foresteire. “After last season (a loss to Xaverian in the Super Bowl), they dedicated themselves to coming back and being the Division 1 Super Bowl champion – and they played that way all year long.”
Foresteire also commended the comportment and sportsmanship that the team exhibited all season.
“They not only performed like champions but they acted in a classy manner – they’ve been model young men in the community,” said Foresteire. “I think what’s great about the Everett football program is the spirit it brings between the band, the cheerleaders, the players, the students at the high school and the community itself. It builds great spirit.
“When you look at a community like ours – we’re not the richest community,” said Foresteire. “And it really gives us something to be proud of and rally around. It’s This program motivates 125 boys to do the right thing in school and in the community and that’s what makes it so special.”