Everett Football is Back
Theluxon Pierre steps in as new head coach
By Cary Shuman
More than 120 football players took the field at Everett Memorial Stadium Friday for the first preseason practice of the 2018 season.
Theluxon Pierre made his first official appearance as the new head coach, taking over the state’s most successful program from John DiBiaso, who is now the head coach at Catholic Memorial High School.
“It feels good to be coach, this is a dream come true,” said Pierre. “I’m excited and ready to go. This is a new year and a new team. We lost a lot of key guys so other guys have to step up.”
One key player that the Tide must replace is All-Scholastic quarterback Jake Willcox, who transferred to Milton Academy.
“We have Duke Doherty and IshZamor at quarterback,’’ said Pierre. “We’ll see how it all plays out.”
Everett once again has one of the toughest schedules in Massachusetts. Everett opens up with a Super Bowl rematch on Sept. 7 against Xaverian under the new lights that have been installed at Hawk Stadium in Westwood. Week 2 has one of the toughest tests of the season: Division 2 state title favorite Mansfield, who has eight starters returning on defense. St. John’s Prep, Lawrence, BC High, Medford, and Malden are the other regular season opponents.
With back-to-back state titles and the return of Virginia Tech commit, Mike Sainristil, among other talented players, Everett will almost certainly be ranked No. 1 in Massachusetts in the preseason polls.
Super Sainristil
Everett senior is hoping for another title
By Cary Shuman
There were three reporters waiting to talk with Everett High senior Mike Sainristil before the Crimson Tide’s first football practice of the season.
Head coach Theluxon Pierre graciously granted the request for interviews, and like he has done throughout his career, Sainristil handled the assignment magnificently.
The multi-talented, 5-foot-10-inch, 175-pound player was asked about the new-look Tide who have a new head coach and new receivers after the graduation of All-Scholastics Jason Maitre (BC), Anthony Norcia (Merrimack), and Isaiah Likely (Coastal Carolina).
“Knowing that we have a younger crew of receivers, I know that I’m going to have to lead, but I think we have a lot of talent at the position,” said Sainristil, who has verbally committed to Division 1 Virginia Tech.
Sainristil said he was excited to take the field for the first practice of Pierre’s tenure.
“I couldn’t wait for practice to start,” said Sainristil. “The first day of camp is always the most electric day. Everyone has high energy. Everyone wants to be here. The guys worked hard this summer. The freshmen worked hard this summer. I feel it’s going to be a good year. We’re young, but we have heart. We’re like the Celtics.”
Sainristil said he would like nothing more than to lead the Tide to the Division 1 state championship in Pierre’s first season.
“If we can do it this year, we can help coach Pierre have a good start,” said Sainristil. “As members of the Class of 2019, if we can win it all, which is always the goal, we can be the first in history to say we were the only Everett team to win [a state title] with a new coach. That’s the goal.”