The matchup of two of the state’s most storied programs lived up to its billing as Everett and Brockton waged a furious offensive battle on a warm and sunny fall afternoon.
In the end, it was sophomore running back Jaden Clerveaux and the Crimson Tide who held the edge with a hard-earned 36-21 victory Saturday at Everett Memorial Stadium.
Clerveaux, who was coming off a 3-TD performance in a win over St. John’s (Shrewsbury), had another huge day with 185 yards rushing and two TDs to help Everett wear down the Boxers’ defense.
“Jaden is growing upon us and this is a good thing,” said Everett head coach Theluxon Pierre about Clerveaux’s emergence. “We needed him to advance from his last game and he has.”
Junior defensive back Brandon Gibbs made the defensive play of the game with an interception deep in Brockton territory. Tyrese Baptiste turned the INT in to six points to give Everett a lead (22-21) it would never relinquish.
Junior quarterback Duke Doherty was again impressive at the helm of the offense, connecting with Baptiste for a 21-yard touchdown. Junior running back Jahsheem Rivera completed Everett’s run of three unanswered touchdowns with a 2-yard score.
Everett (3-1) has won three consecutive games following a season-opening loss to Springfield Central. Everett has averaged 32 points per game in its wins over Xaverian, St. John’s, and Brockton.
Pierre was pleased with his team’s effort, especially in the second half when the Everett defense kept Brockton’s offense off the scoreboard.
“I thought Brandon Gibbs, one of my DBs, played a very good game,” said Pierre. “I thought our defensive line played an excellent game.”
Everett gets in to its schedule against Greater Boston League opponents Friday (5 p.m.) against Medford.
“I’m looking forward to the game and how our defense responds after a tough first half (against Brockton),” said Pierre.
Pierre said he hopes to continue the series with Brockton. “To me, I’m always going to say that Everett football is never afraid of the competition and I always feel the top teams in the state should play each other because it makes football better in the state overall,” said Pierre. “You want to play the top teams and see where you stand and it’s a good test for the playoffs. And the players on both teams want to compete against each other. Games like this help both teams.”