Sports 08-09-2017

Crimson Tide Pop Warner teams begin practice for 2017 season

By Cary Shuman

The Crimson Tide Pop Warner youth football and cheerleading organization has begun practice sessions for the 2017 season that gets underway on Sunday, Sept. 10.

The athletes on the six football teams and six cheerleading squads (levels A-F by age group) have been preparing at Glendale Park located in front of Everett High School, moving over from Sacramone Park, the Tide’s usual practice site that is undergoing renovations.

Everett football teams will compete in Division 1 North this season under a new North/South alignment. The top four teams in each division will advance to the regional playoffs with the Division 1 North champion eventually facing the Division 1 South champion for a berth in the national finals in Florida.

“I like the new set-up,” said Brian Dimond, who is beginning his sixth year as president of Crimson Tide Pop Warner (he previously served as president of the Everett Eagles for 12 years). “In some conferences, you only had three other opponents. Now there are 10 teams in Division 1 North that are all very competitive, and will be good tests for our teams each week.”

Dimond said the outlook is optimistic for the football and cheerleading teams who are perennial contenders for state and national titles. Last year, for example, the Crimson Tide ‘B’ cheerleading team finished third in the nation. Elena Hickey is the coordinator of the cheerleading program.

Bolstering the Crimson Tide ‘B’ football team’s chances this season is the return of legendary Pop Warner coach Peter Forte, whose past teams have achieved much success, including a national championship.

“Every one of our teams usually makes the playoffs and go deep in the postseason, so we’re been very happy about the success every year,” said Dimond.

Everett will play its home games on Sundays at Everett Memorial Stadium beginning at 8 a.m. and continuing through the day.

Dimond said his organization has several alumni now competing in John DiBiaso’s Everett High football program that is the defending Division 1 state champion.

Current EHS players Jake Willcox, Mike Sainristil, and Anthony Norcia, among others, helped the Crimson Tide Pop Warner unlimited team win a national championship. Willcox is a candidate for the starting quarterback position.

“I think Jake is ready to excel for Everett High,” said Dimond. “I really look forward to watching him play quarterback this fall. He’s a great kid and a pure athlete.”

Dimond is pleased that his organization is contributing to Everett High’s program under the leadership of John DiBiaso, whose son, Jonathan, was a record-setting Pop Warner and EHS quarterback.

“John DiBiaso is a great coach – I wish I had the luxury of playing football for him when I was in high school. What he’s accomplished is amazing. We feel Crimson Tide Pop Warner sets a very good foundation for the high school program.”

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