Previewing The MIAA State Football Championships: Divisions 1 & 8

Can Everett capture a second state title in a row? The Tide has plenty of new faces since last year, but still plenty of championship caliber talent.

 By SuiteSports Staff

We finish our series of MIAA state championship previews with the largest and smallest divisions in the Commonwealth. For any of our past previews, click below, and continue on for breakdowns of Everett vs Xaverian and Hoosac Valley vs Millis.

Divisions 2 & 3
Divisions 4 & 7
Divisions 5 & 6

Everett Starts Fast and Hangs On to Down Central Catholic in D1 North Final

From Left: Jacob Miller, Helber, Dwayne Binns, Anthony Norcia, Jason Maitre, Jaden Mahabir pose with the MIAA Division 1 North championship trophy.

By Matt Feld (@mattyfeld612)

Some say that repeating as a state champion is the hardest feat to accomplish in high school sports. So far to date, that has not been the case for Everett.

On a frigid night at Veterans Memorial Stadium, the Crimson Tide offense fired on all cylinders as quarterback Jake Willcox threw four first half touchdown passes to lead No. 3 Everett to a 37-29 win over No.1 Central Catholic in the Division 1 North Sectional Final.

The Crimson Tide will now look to defend their Division 1 crown when they take on Xaverian in a rematch of last years Super Bowl at Gillette Stadium on December 2nd.

Willcox (17-for-26, 308 yards, 4 TDs) played behind Jordan McAfee a season ago and noted how special it is to be the focal point this time around.

Everett's Football Stars Sign Letters of Intent on National Signing Day

From Left: Jordan McAfee (UConn), Duval Paul (Georgetown), Theo Zidor (Central Connecticut) and Carlins Platel (Assumption) prepare to sign Letters of Intent to their respective colleges

By Nate Weitzer (@Nweitzer7)

EVERETT, Mass. – Sitting behind the MIAA Division 1 State Championship that they fought so hard to earn this past fall, four of Everett’s most distinguished scholar-athletes signed official letters of intent to their respective colleges on National Signing Day.

Quarterback Jordan McAfee (University of Connecticut), defensive lineman Duval Paul (Georgetown), wide receiver Theo Zidor (Central Connecticut) and cornerback Carlins Platel (Assumption College) beamed as they fulfilled their lifelong dreams by accepting offers to play football at the collegiate level.

No. 5 Everett comes back late to down No. 3 New Mission at The BABC Holiday Tournament

Ghared Boyce knocking down a huge three-pointer in the final minute of Everett's win over New Mission

By Nate Weitzer (@Nweitzer7)

BOSTON — With less than four minutes to play, Everett trailed an undersized and undermanned New Missions squad 63-55. 

The defending Division 2 state champion Titans had frustrated and burned the Crimson Tide for every mistake or episode of hesitation all morning at the second installment of the BABC Holiday Tournament at Cathedral High, but head coach John DiBiaso’s players woke up down the stretch and finished the game on a 12-3 run to pull out a 67-66 victory in the end.

Everett Alum Lukas Denis Latest MA Product to Start for Boston College

Lukas Denis was a play maker on both sides of the ball during his Everett days, but now he's settling in as a starting defensive back for Boston College. Photo courtesy of Brendan C. Hall and ESPN Boston.

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

In the midst of another disappointing performance by Boston College, one Bay State product broke into the starting lineup for the Eagles.

During BC's 45-7 drubbing at the hands of Florida State Friday night in Tallahassee, former Everett star Lukas Denis made his first start for the Eagles, and it appears the sophomore will be seeing a lot more action the rest of the year.

VIDEO: Everett Rolls Past Andover, 62-33, Advances to D1 Super Bowl

By Nate Weitzer (@nweitzer7)

EVERETT, Mass. – One of the most storied programs in MIAA history began the season on a low note.

The Crimson Tide dropped highly touted tilts against Xaverian and Billerica by a total of six points to go 2-2 in September, and that’s when head coach John DiBiaso decided it was time to try a different motivational strategy.

“We had to gain some confidence,” DiBiaso recalled. “We weren’t a very good team last year. We were 5-5 and that wasn't reflective of where we wanted to be. After we lost two close games early in the season I pulled everyone together and said ‘Look, you’re a reflection of your record and you’re 7-7 over the last year and a half. Do you want to be remembered as a .500 team or do you want to accept the challenge and bounce back?’”

After skating past Andover, 62-33, for their third consecutive blowout win on the way to a Division 1 North title and a guaranteed rematch with Xaverian in the Super Bowl next month, Everett’s players have done more than just bounce back.

RECAP & VIDEO: Everett Rolls Past Central Catholic Into D1 North Finals

Everett quarterback Jordan McAfee played one of the most efficient games of his stellar career Saturday.

By Nate Weitzer (@nweitzer7)

Ed. Note- Continue to the bottom of this piece for highlights of Everett's big win, courtesy of Everett High School TV.

BURLINGTON, Mass. – For a few minutes, the outcome seemed to be in doubt, but Everett ultimately rolled to a 43-18 victory over Central Catholic Saturday.

Everett raced out to a 23-0 lead over top-seeded Central Catholic in their Division 1 North semifinal matchup, but the Raiders were finally able to break through with a long kick return and a 48-yard touchdown pass.

Then the defending D1 North champions recovered an onside kick, and quarterback Bret Edwards led the Raiders deep into Everett territory to set up a critical fourth-and-five with thirty seconds remaining in the first half.

However, defensive captain Duval Paul and linebacker Josh Miller sacked Edwards for a loss of 26 yards, and the Everett offense put the game out of reach before the teams even headed to their locker rooms.

Eastern Mass HS Football Power Rankings: End of the Line

Xaverian celebrates a Massachusetts state championship in Division 1.

By Mike Uva (@mike_uva)

Editor Joe Parello started us off with his final Central Mass Power Rankings earlier this week, and now correspondent Mike Uva breaks down the Eastern section of the Commonwealth with his postseason Top-10.

1. Xaverian: 12-0, 4-0 Catholic Conference  



Accolades: Division 1 State Champs, Catholic Conference Champs



The Hawks completed a perfect season for the first time since their last state championship in 2009. Arguably one of the most dominating seasons by a defense in the past decade, Xaverian allowed just 9.8 points per game, and didn't surrendered more than 14 points in a single game until the Super Bowl.

Postgame Blog: Xaverian Holds Off Everett for D1 Crown

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

Xaverian completed a perfect season and captured the Massachusetts Division 1 high school football championship Saturday at Gillette Stadium, surviving a late rally from rival Everett.

The 38-29 win was the second victory for the Hawks over the Tide this season, and capped a year that saw Xaverian earn nearly unanimous praise as the Commonwealth's best team.

A powerful offensive line was assisted by Northwestern commitment Joe Gaziano, who often motioned across the formation from his tight end position to lay massive blocks and open up room for running back Noah Sorrento. Speaking of Sorrento, the versatile back and linebacker had himself a game, rushing for 187 yards and four touchdowns, just one score shy of the MIAA Super Bowl record.