Top-ranked Everett improves record to 3-0:Willcox leads Tide to big win over St. John’s Prep
By Cary Shuman
Everett quarterback Jake Willcox is always quick to tell reporters that his receiving contingent is in a class by itself in Massachusetts.
But Willcox is off to a sensational start himself this season. The 6-foot-1-inch quarterback had another big afternoon, completing 20-of-26 passes for 261 yards and two touchdowns as the Everett High football team routed St. John’s Prep, 42-28, Saturday at the newly dedicated Fred Glatz Field.
Anthony Norcia had seven catches for 106 yards, including a 22-yard TD reception, while Mike Sainristil had a 19-yard TD reception, to showcase the Tide’s passing attack.
There was a huge crowd on hand for the dedication ceremonies, but Willcox and Company quickly quieted the Prep faithful with a 22-point outburst in the first quarter.
Jacob Miller completed the Tide’s first possession of the game with an 8-yard run before Willcox’s TD passes made it 22-7 after one period.
The electrifying Jason Maitre wowed the Everett stands (which were filled to capacity) with a 40-yard TD run before Monte Campbell scored from one yard out. Sainristil followed with a two-point conversion to increase the margin to 36-7 at the break.
Senior linebacker Duane Binns, who keyed another strong effort by the Everett defense, sacked St. John’s Prep quarterback Mike Yarin on the final play of the half.
Kevin Brown’s 2-yard run made it a 42-7 advantage before the Eagles posted two fourth-quarter touchdowns.
St. John’s Prep coach Brian St. Pierre said Everett’s offensive firepower was impressive.
“Obviously we had a hard time stopping [Everett] – they’re way more athletic than we are and that was on display,” said St. Pierre. “They’re going to do that to a lot of people. They’re going to be tough to beat. That’s as good a team as we’ll see.”
Head coach John DiBiaso was asked about his team’s 36-point output in the first half.
“I thought we did a good job today but there’s room for improvement,” said DiBiaso. “Jake was on and he ran the offense. He’s like a point guard in basketball. Distribute the ball – that’s his job and I thought he did a good job.”
While DiBiaso notes that a team’s record and ranking are most important in December, the legendary coach is pleased with his team’s outstanding 3-0 start.
“I’m very happy to be 3-0 – that’s the bottom line,” he said. “Whenever you come out of the Prep 3-0 and you’re healthy, it’s a good sign.”
TIDE NOTEBOOK
The Boston Herald recognized Jake Willcox as a Division 1 “Star of the Week” for the second time this season.
Defensive back Lewis Cine, who has drawn the attention of major college programs, is off to an All-Scholastic caliber start for the Crimson Tide.
Jason Maitre, who is getting calls in the Everett ground game, showed his speed and elusiveness on a 40-yard run to the end zone.
Everett is idle this week before returning to action on Friday, Oct. 6, against Lowell (3-0). Potential playoff opponents Central Catholic and Lexington are also 3-0, with the Minutemen and their quarterback Sal Frelick, getting a lot of publicity.
Brian Vaughan’s Lynn Classical Rams, whom the Tide outscored in a preseason scrimmage, are 3-0 with a big test at 3-0 Gloucester Friday night.
EHS Roundup
EHS boys soccer team finishes road trip, set to return home this week
The Everett High boys soccer team is set to return to the friendly confines of Everett Stadium this week after a long sojourn of five games on the road. Coach Oswaldo Constanza and his crew were set to host Lynn Classical this evening (Wednesday) at 7:00 and will entertain Malden Saturday afternoon at 2:00. The Crimson Tide will travel to St. John’s Prep this coming Monday for a 7 p.m. encounter.
Constanza’s young squad — the Tide feature five sophomores who start and two more sophs who are playing heavy minutes — stand at 2-3-1 after their five-game road trip.
“We are looking forward to playing in front of our home crowd,” said Constanza. “We think it will boost morale after a long road streak, which saw us traveling a lot in just a few days.”
The Crimson Tide dropped a 1-0 decision at Gloucester this past Monday after dueling Lowell to a 3-3 deadlock on Saturday. The Everett goals in the Lowell contest were scored by sophomore Bryan Matal, assisted by Abraham Betancourth; Matal again, unassisted; and sophomore Henrique Da Silva, unassisted.
In a 3-1 loss at Malden last Tuesday, junior Juan Meza reached the back of the Golden Tornado net for Everett.
EHS volleyball team defeats Malden, 3-1
The Everett High volleyball team rebounded after a tough loss in Lowell Wednesday to defeat Malden at home Thursday, 3-1.
Everett, playing with their full roster healthy and available for the first time, rebounded after losing the first set 25-19 to take the next three, 25-18, 25-19, and 26-24.
In the final set, Everett trailed for much of the game, trailing 21-16 and 24-20, but stellar serving from junior outside hitter Camila Morare and senior Chrystel Fortunat brought the Crimson Tide all the way back.
Senior co-captain had what EHS head coach Mike Fineran termed “a monster game,” tallying 15 kills, including five in the final set.
Senior middle-hitter Stephanie Ariste also came up big, with three kills of her own in set four, making it seven for the match.
“I challenged the team before the game to get our big hitters more involved,” said Fineran, whose team now holds a 3-2 record in the Northeastern Conference and is 3-3 overall. “We didn’t generate enough swings against Lowell, and that’s not just the hitter’s responsibility. If we don’t pass well, our setters aren’t in good position to distribute the ball where we want it. They responded well.”
Captain Yasmeen Guerrier set up many of the kills and added two timely kills herself in the third and fourth sets. She also served at 100 percent for the match. Morare and sophomore Bianca May, both out last week with leg injuries, returned to provide a spark, especially on defense. Morare sealed the second set with a stuff block and May had nine aces in the match.
Seniors Gianna McDonald, Giana Escobar, and Brenda Eleuterio shored up the back row, limiting the Malden attack. “A lot of people stepped up,” said Fineran. “It was a good win for the program.”
Everett finished with 23 aces and 27 kills, a much different story than the previous day, when the Lady Crimson Tide managed only five kills and one ace in a three-set loss to a strong Lowell team.
Everett was scheduled to face Pope John this past Monday and Revere yesterday (Tuesday). Fineran and his crew will travel to Peabody tomorrow (Thursday).