In a fitting end to a dominant regular season, the Everett Crimson Tide handedly defeated the Malden Golden Tornados 35-0 to win their 19th straight GBL title.
The win marks Everett’s third shut out of the season. The Tide’s stonewall defense led by Angel Duarte, CJ Parvelus, and Josh Palmer kept teams to just 69 points all season long. They will help lead Everett down the road to Gillette, looking for their fourth straight championship.
Coach DiBiaso may be happy to see his team take the top seed in the Division 1 North, but he knows better than anyone that their bouts of sloppy play won’t hold up against the tougher teams they will face down the line.
“That was not our best, sharp effort today,” Coach DiBiaso told his team after the game. “You do that up against one of the better teams, you’re going to lose.”
Even with the turnovers, penalties, and seven fumbles the Crimson Tide dominated the Golden Tornados with their tried and trued run game. Quarterback, Raheem Wingard, started off the second quarter for the second game in a row with a QB sneak to put Everett on the board first 7-0. Isaiah Davis had another standout day, with a 60 yard touchdown run in the second quarter to put Everett up 14-0 with 4:33 left in the first half.
Everett’s defense forced a three-and-out to put Everett’s offense back on the field one last time before heading in for half time. Lubern Figaro caught a gorgeous fade from Wingard to take it to the one-yard line, but was called back to the five-yard line after an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. Wingard took the ball into the end zone end the scoring for the first half. The touchdown was the dynamic QB’s second one of the afternoon and ninth rushing TD of the season.
Even with almost two minutes left in the half to put together a successful drive, Malden’s offense was stunned by the Crimson Tide defense. Josh Palmer, who returned to the field Saturday after missing two games with a hand injury, sacked Malden’s QB, Andrew Papa, to end the first half.
Everett’s defense continued to shine in the start of the third quarter. Just three minutes into the half, Palmer sacked Papa, once again, this time forcing the fumble. Figaro scooped up the ball, taking it to the house to put Everett up 28-0
Malden turned the ball over on downs on their next offensive drive, putting Everett in good field position. Figaro, who had just taken a Malden fumble back for a touchdown, fumbled the ball himself at Malden’s 41-yd line. The Golden Tornado’s recovered the ball as the third quarter soon came to an end.
Offensive struggles followed Malden into the fourth quarter, as FB Raymond Sainristill fumbled the ball in Everett territory. The Golden Tornado’s, who were also undefeated in GBL play, were held to zero points in their regular season finale.
Sophomore RB, Luis Cardona, who has gotten quite a bit of playing time during the last few Everett blowouts, continued to showcase his speed with an impressive 85-yd touchdown run to seal the victory and 19th GBL title for Everett.
With the new MIAA playoff rules, Everett begins its road to Gillette on Friday night. With a 6-1 record Everett secures the number one seed in the Division 1 North and home field advantage throughout the playoffs. It just so happens that Everett’s first round opponent with be No. 8 ranked, Malden. The two teams will play eachother for the second time in one week, but this time it is win or go home. Don’t miss the playoff showdown Friday night at 7 pm at Veteran’s Memorial Stadium.