One tradition that Everett High head coach Theluxon Pierre has kept going is that the Crimson Tide will play any team in Massachusetts, any time, and anywhere.
And the Crimson Tide certainly have one of the toughest opening night tests again this year when Springfield Central brings its high-powered offense to Everett Memorial Stadium for Game 1 of the 2019 season.
Kickoff is Friday at 7 p.m. between Springfield Central – the defending Division 3 state champion and owner of an 11-game winning streak – and Everett High – who finished 10-1 in Pierre’s first season.
Springfield is rated the No. 1 team in western Massachusetts with the return of its starting quarterback, Isaac Boston, who threw 16 touchdown passes and rushed for six TDs for the Golden Eagles last season. The main man in the backfield is Kwame Kyles, who rushed for more than 1,100 yards and scored 21 touchdowns.
Springfield averaged more than six touchdowns per game and broke the 50-point mark in four of its games during an 11-1 campaign.
But Everett has looked every bit like a Division 1 Super Bowl contender in pre-season scrimmages against Thornton Academy (Maine) and Haverhill High School. Everett held a wide edge over a good Haverhill team in Saturday’s scrimmage, notching six touchdowns while holding the visiting Hillies scoreless.
Pierre was pleased overall with his team’s performance while junior quarterback Duke Doherty led a high-powered offensive attack with two touchdown passes. Duke Doherty will be complemented this season by running backs Clarence Jules and JC Clerveaux and a speedy receiving corps that includes Ishmael Zamore and Eli Auguste. Samy Lamothe is a difference maker in the Tide defensive backfield.
“Monday we had a great day of practice, offense and defense, and we’re trying to build on that and see if we can continue in the right direction,” said Pierre.
With good weather forecast for Friday night, a huge crowd is expected for the matchup of two of the highest ranked teams in Massachusetts.
Tide Notebook
Coach Pierre has announced the following team captains for the 2019 team: center John Molloy, wide receiver Eli Auguste, middle linebacker Trey Sejour, right guard Jason Portillo, tight end and defensive end Louie Philippe, and left tackle Dazi Perreira.
Everett’s Ismael Zamor and Samy Lamothe, among others, are receiving correspondences from Division 1 college programs.
Springfield Central coach Valdamar Brower and Everett coach Theluxon Pierre are both proud alumni of UMass/Amherst.
Central lost to Lincoln-Sudbury in its opening game before rattling off 11 consecutive victories, including a win over Tewksbury in the Super Bowl.