Maitre ‘D’ has no reservations
EVERETT — Everett wide receiver/defensive back Jason Maitre opened the football season with a bang and hasn’t slowed down since.
On the first play of the season, Maitre hauled in a pass over the middle from Jake Willcox and turned it into a 70-yard touchdown, getting the Crimson Tide off and running en route to a 38-7 victory against Xaverian.
“All week long at practice, the coaches talked about taking a shot because they wouldn’t be ready,” Maitre said. “When we called it in the game, I was shocked. (Willcox) made a great throw and put it right there.”
Maitre is one of several talented skill position players on the Everett roster. While the 5-foot-10, 170-pound senior fully understands he’s not going to have the numbers, Maitre cares about one stat — wins.
“At the end of the day, everyone is going to get the ball. The coaches do a good job of making sure we share the ball,” Maitre said. “As long we get the win, that’s all that matters to me.”
To longtime Everett coach John DiBiaso, Maitre is the poster child for unselfishness.
“For Jason, the stats aren’t important,” DiBiaso said. “A lot of guys in the program sacrifice statistics for the team and Jason is one of them.”
The lack of big-time numbers didn’t keep the colleges away. At the start of last summer, Maitre ended the recruitment process by committing to Boston College, following in the footsteps of former Crimson Tide defensive backs Isaac Johnson, Jimmy Noel, Manny Asprilla and Lukas Denis, all of whom started for the Eagles.
“They showed me love from the very first day,” Maitre said. “When I went there, it felt like I was at home. Lukas is always texting me, telling to keep working hard because they like me.”
Having coached the previous four BC recruits, DiBiaso feels Maitre will not be out of place on Chestnut Hill, citing his versatility.
“Jason is just like his four predecessors in that he can do everything on the field,” DiBiaso said. “He can return kickoffs, punts, play wide receiver, he’s our wildcat quarterback and he’s a cover corner. He’s just the complete package.”
All Maitre wants to complete his high school career is another shot at a championship. Last year’s Division 1 Super Bowl title was the first for the storied Everett program since 2012.
Maitre and his teammates are hungry for a repeat.
“Every player came into this year with a chip on our shoulders,” Maitre said. “That’s how we are in Everett. We have the same mentality we had last year.”