Tide trounce Xaverian
Willcox, Everett dominate in Div. 1 title rematch
If there was any doubt about who the clear-cut Division 1 favorite was, Jake Willcox put it to bed.
Willcox went 11-for-16 for 306 yards and three touchdowns yesterday as the Everett quarterback led the Crimson Tide to a resounding 38-7 victory over Xaverian on homecoming at Everett Memorial Stadium.
The contest was a rematch of last year’s Div. 1 final in which Everett halted Xaverian’s run of consecutive state titles with a 21-7 victory.
Now Everett hopes to go back-to-back, and if yesterday was any indication, knocking the Crimson Tide off will be no easy task.
Surrounding the first-year starter Willcox are a flurry of talented offensive weapons. They were on full display as the wide receiving corps of Jason Maitre, Isaiah Likely, Mike Sainristil and Anthony Norcia to go with running back Jacob Miller proved too much for the Hawks.
Five different Crimson Tide players scored touchdowns as Everett compiled 456 total yards of offense.
“This was a great start against a good team,” Willcox said. “We came out hard. They did too. We played well, and we were just better today.”
Defensively, Everett proved just as potent, forcing a pair of fumbles and keeping the Hawks off the scoreboard until the game’s waning moments.
Lewis Cine headlined the unit as the nationally recruited safety finished with five tackles, including one that resulted in a safety.
Right out of the gate Everett reminded all in attendance who the defending champions are, as Willcox hit Maitre on a slant for a 70-yard touchdown on the first play from scrimmage. A successful two-point conversation gave Everett an 8-0 lead just 12 seconds in.
“Maitre ran a great route there,” Willcox said. “Once he caught the ball he was able to break the safeties’ ankles. It was a great start.”
The Crimson Tide added to their lead just before the half as a 55-yard pass on third-and-22 from Willcox to Likely set up a 2-yard touchdown run by Miller.
Up 15-0, Everett shut down any hopes of a Xaverian comeback immediately to begin the second half.
A monster hit by Duane Binns pinned the Hawks at their own 1-yard line, and Cine followed by tackling Xaverian running back Ike Irabor in the end zone for a safety to give the Crimson Tide a 17-0 lead.
After the free kick gave Everett possession, the Crimson Tide put the game firmly out of reach as Willcox hit Likely for a 17-yard touchdown to make it 24-0.