Frelick, Lexington take aim at Everett
Count Everett coach John DiBiaso among those who marvel at the abilities of Lexington quarterback Sal Frelick.
His defense will have the task of trying to slow down the two-time All-Scholastic in one Division 1 North semifinal tonight. The winner will take on the Central Catholic-Methuen survivor next weekend for the sectional title.
“He is a little like (former Andover quarterback E.J.) Perry in his ability to make plays.” DiBiaso said. “You have to really be disciplined because just when you think you have him, he’ll make a big play.”
While Everett is the defending champion and a program with 11 Super Bowl titles in the past two decades, this is Lexington’s biggest game in years. Minutemen coach George Peterson said his team relishes the opportunity to lock horns with the highly touted Crimson Tide.
“We’re very excited to have a chance to play the best team in the state,” Peterson said. “It’s a good chance to measure ourselves against the best, and we feel we are up to the challenge.”
Both teams have proven they can score points with the best of them. Everett has scored at least 42 points in each of its past five games, while Lexington is averaging 44.75 points in its eight games.
Not surprisingly, Peterson feels his defense has to be able to step up to the challenge in order to have a chance to win. Defensive backs Ben Quint and Anthony Bianchi will match up against Everett’s impressive stable of receivers, while inside linebacker Max Stevens and nose tackle Tenzin Pharachesur have been solid.
“I think we’ve gotten better defensively the past few years. We’re averaging under 23 points a game and some of those have come against the backups,” Peterson said. “We’re going to have to be able to reduce their big plays. We saw them do that against St. John’s Prep, and we can’t let that happen.”
In other big games tonight, the loaded Div. 2 South section is into semifinal stage as Natick hosts Bridgewater-Raynham, while King Philip is looking to extend its winning streak to 22 games against Hockomock Kelley-Rex rival Mansfield.
Three Catholic Conference teams remain alive in the hunt for the Div. 1 South crown. BC High hosts archrival Catholic Memorial in one semifinal, while four-time defending champion Xaverian travels to
Needham.
A huge ISL contest pits Governor’s Academy at Buckingham, Browne & Nichols, with the winner likely in line for a NEPSAC bowl bid.
Defending Div. 4A (now Div. 8) champion Millis travels to Sandwich tomorrow to take on undefeated St. John Paul in what figures to be a classic.
Tewksbury would love to erase the bad memories of a semifinal loss to Danvers two years ago when they meet in a Div. 3 North semifinal.
Milton Academy looks to keep its NEPSAC bowl bid alive, but the task is a daunting one against undefeated Lawrence Academy.