MIAA Football Playoffs: Everett Routs AB, 47-7, in Opener Doherty, Tide Set up Rematch With Central Catholic

Special to the Journal

The Everett High football team built a 27-0 halftime lead and rolled to a 47-7 victory over Acton-Boxborough in a Division 1 North quarterfinal round playoff game Friday night at Everett Veterans Memorial Stadium.

Junior quarterback Duke Doherty threw three touchdown passes and rushed for another score to lead Everett in a one-sided win over the Colonials.

The win sets up a rematch with Central Catholic (Lawrence), who ousted the Tide from last year’s playoffs, 23-20, on a last-minute field goal by Nick Mazzie. The two teams, both 7-1, will meet Saturday at 12 p.m., in Lawrence.

In the playoff opener, Doherty connected with Tyrese Baptiste for a 76-yard touchdown to give Everett an early 6-0 lead. Abraham Betancourth booted the PAT to make it 7-0.

John Smith-Howell returned a punt 82 yards for a touchdown and Betancourth followed with the PAT for a 14-0 lead.

The Everett running game checked in as Jayden Clerveaux raced 37 yards for a touchdown. Doherty fired a 30-yard touchdown pass to Ismael Zamor to give Everett a 27-0 lead at the half.

Clarence Jules used his blazing speed on a 48-yard run as Everett extended its lead to 34-0. Doherty teamed up with Eli Auguste for a 7-yard touchdown pass before the Everett quarterback rushed for a 17-yard touchdown, with Betancourth’s fifth PAT of the day completing the scoring.

TIDE NOTEBOOK

Duke Doherty had 5 rushes for 100 yards and a touchdown. Clarence Jules (4-69) and Jayden Clerveaux (6-71) also excelled behind the Tide’s powerful offensive line.

Doherty was 10-for-16 for 175 yards and has surpassed the 1,000-yard mark in passing yards for the season.

Ismael Zamor had five receptions for 65 yards.

Head coach Theluxon Pierre’s team has won its last seven games heading in to the showdown against Central Catholic. Everett’s offense, defense, and special teams all looked very impressive against Acton-Boxborough.

Everett and Central Catholic have one common opponent, Springfield Central. The Tide suffered their only defeat of the season versus Springfield in the season opener, 40-12. Central Catholic defeated Springfield, 52-42, in the second week of the season. The Raiders (formerly the Red Raiders) beat Lexington, 42-7, in their playoff opener. Central’s only loss was a 28-14 setback to St. John’s Prep on Sept. 20.

No. 2 seed St. John’s Prep will host No. 3 seed Andover in the other Division 1 North semifinal Friday night.

In the Division 1 South semifinals, Catholic Memorial (8-0) hosts BC High (5-3) Friday night while Franklin (6-2) hosts Brockton (5-3).

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