By Cary Shuman
Running back Kevin Brown rushed for three touchdowns to power the Everett High School football team to a 36-20 victory over Masconomet Regional in a Thanksgiving eve game at Fenway Park in Boston.
Brown opened the scoring with a four-yard run in the first quarter. He had a two-yard TD run in the second quarter and later added a 31-yard TD run in the third quarter.
Brown, a 5-foot-10-inch, 200-pound senior, talked about his prolific performance with reporters following the game.
“Just coming to play at Fenway was a big experience,” said Brown, who had 121 rushing yards. “Coach [John DiBiaso] was giving me the ball a lot, and I just had to do my job. Every time I get the ball, I have a great line and tight end there blocking for me. The 31-yard run was probably the best feeling in the world because coach works on breaking tackles, finishing the play and keeping your feet moving, and that’s exactly what I did – it felt great.”
Brown’s second TD and two-point conversion gave Everett a 15-6 lead with 3:41 left in the half. Everett made it 21-6 when Lewis Cine blocked a Masco punt and Jordan Riggs scooped up the ball and carried it to the end zone.
Masco senior Peter Kitsakos scored on a 53-yard run early in the third quarter, but Brown answered with an electrifying 31-yard run. Caio Costa booted the PAT to make it 29-12.
Everett quarterback Jake Willcox delivered a strike to Mike Sainristil in the middle of field and the fleet-footed junior did the rest, eluding Masco defensive backs to complete the 32-yard touchdown. Costa added the PAT to give Everett a commanding 36-12 lead.
Kitsakos threw a halfback option pass to Jack Seymour for 53 yards, accounting for Masco’s final touchdown with 3:06 left in the game.
Everett coach John DiBiaso lauded Brown for this 3-TD effort.
“Kevin had a big night,” said DiBiaso. “I’m sure he’ll thank the offensive line. It was important to establish the run and we made a conscious effort to do that because of the weather. We got out of the game healthy and we get to move forward. Playing at Fenway was a great experience for the team.”
Masconomet coach Gavin Monagle, who said he had watched Everett’s previous two games on videotape, came away very impressed by the well-balanced Crimson Tide attack. “Everett is awesome,” said Monagle. They’re a special team. They have it at every position. They have great linemen who get off the ball well and speed that’s off the charts. You try to do something on defense and they can counter anything.”
Everett (10-0) will play Xaverian in the Division 1 Super Bowl on Saturday (Dec. 2) at 8 p.m. at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro. Masconomet, a regional school that includes the towns of Boxford, Topsfield, and Middleton, finished a solid campaign with a 7-4 record.