It wasn’t easy but winning state championships never are.
Xaverian and Everett High played a tough, highly competitive game in the Division 1 Super Bowl. But as has been the case during this amazing era of high school football under head coach John DiBiaso, the Crimson Tide repelled a formidable challenge to a defense of their crown and pulled away to an impressive victory.
It was a total team effort. The coaches did a great job preparing the team for the biggest game of the season. The players executed the game plan and played a flawless second half to earn a decisive victory.
In victory, the Everett players celebrated vigorously on the Gillette Stadium turf but as is the Crimson Tide trademark, they displayed sportsmanship and class and appreciated the efforts of their opponents.
The players know that they have been a part of something truly special, competing in a program that has soared to the top of the mountain in high school football and receives the support of the entire Everett community.
While Supt. of Schools Frederick Foresteire has often said, “John DiBiaso is the greatest coach in the history of Massachusetts high school football (and we agree),” the leader of the Everett public can also take a much-deserved bow for his contribution to the success of this incomparable program.
We were in the pressbox area when the Everett football team took the field at Gillette and to hear one of the observers (who is associated with a long-time football coach and administrator) comment so favorably about the striking Everett High gold and red uniforms and shiny gold helmets – it was symbolic of how professional and thorough Supt. Foresteire is in administering every aspect of this school system. Everett student-athletes have the 100 percent support of their school administration in all their endeavors.
We cannot take this incredible run of gridiron excellence for granted. It takes hard work. The journey begins in August and ends in December, but the commitment takes a year-round effort.
Twelve Super Bowl victories in a 20-year period is an immense accomplishment.
We congratulate John DiBiaso, his coaching staff, and his players not only for winning a Division 1 state championship but for being goodwill ambassadors for our city. The grand memories of the 2017 season will last forever.
From Homecoming in Everett to Lexington (our favorite game besides the Super Bowl) to Lawrence to Fenway Park to Gillette Stadium, it’s been a year that was – well, the 11-0 record says it all: it was indeed a perfect season.