The Everett High School football program has enjoyed many triumphant moments in its history, especially under the unparalleled guidance of head coach John DiBiaso.
Everett football fans will remember Frank Nuzzo’s 97-yard interception return in the third quarter of the Crimson Tide’s 13-7 victory over St. John’s Prep in the 2002 Super Bowl at Marciano Stadium in Brockton.
One year earlier in the 2001 Super Bowl at BU, Gennaro Leo placed his name in the record books with the famed “Leo Leap” into the end zone for a two-pointer in a thrilling 8-7 win over Bridgewater-Raynham. The decision to go for two points added to the growing DiBiaso legend at that point in his career and likely wrapped up Leo’s selection as the Boston Globe Division 1 Player of the Year.
Saturday at Cronin Stadium in Danvers, the Everett High football team again made the community proud with a 12-7 upset of No. 1 seed St. John’s Prep in the Division 1 playoffs. Few outside of the Everett coaches, players, and their supporters thought they could win this game. But with an excellent game plan devised by the coaches on both sides of the ball, a dedicated group of seniors who exhibited excellent leadership, and coaches and players who believed in each other – Everett won a game that most thought it couldn’t win.
Coach John DiBiaso called it one of the greatest non-Super Bowl victories in his illustrious tenure. Supt. of Schools Frederick Foresteire, the overseer of the state’s best high school football program, echoed that sentiment, adding that he hadn’t seen the offensive line formations that Everett used in this game “for at least 50 years.”
Saturday’s dramatic victory over St. John’s Prep was another illustration of what makes Everett High football such a special program.
We wish the team continued success in the MIAA playoffs.