Powers collide as Everett, Central Catholic clash

They’ve occupied the top two spots in the Boston Herald’s Sweet 16 since the start of the season.

Tomorrow night, No. 1 Everett (8-0) and No. 2 Central Catholic (9-0) get a chance to settle the score at Lawrence Stadium (5 p.m. kickoff) with the Division 1 North sectional title on the line. The winner advances to the Div. 1 Super Bowl at Gillette Stadium on Dec. 2 against the Catholic Memorial-Xaverian survivor.

Everett has lived up to the hype, dominating the opposition on a weekly basis. The Crimson Tide have plenty of game-breakers on the offensive side of the ball, most of them capable of scoring from anywhere on the field.

Jake Willcox has settled in very well in his first full season at quarterback, throwing to an army of receivers led by Anthony Norcia, Isaiah Likely, Mike Sainristil and Jason Maitre. Running backs Jason Miller and Kevin Brown provide Everett with a balanced attack.

“We can’t give up quick scores,” Central Catholic coach Chuck Adamopoulos said. “We’ve seen them score three, four touchdowns in no time at all. We have to find a way to slow them down.”

Central Catholic may have its hands full in the eyes of some, but don’t count Everett coach John DiBiaso among that group. He has seen enough of the Raiders and is expecting a tough battle.

“Central is a very good team, they’re very balanced,” DiBiaso said. “Chuck does a real good job with his kids year in and year out. They don’t have any weaknesses, and the one thing they have which is very important at this time of the year is a lot of seniors playing.”

In other sectional finals on Saturday, Tewksbury travels to Lynn English for the Div. 3 North title, Hamilton-Wenham hosts Stoneham in the Div. 6 North final and Cathedral visits Lynn Tech in the Div. 8 North final.

Two key games in the ISL pits Buckingham, Browne & Nichols at Brooks and Belmont Hill at Governor’s Academy.

Marblehead and Melrose meet tonight for the Div. 4 North sectional title. Both teams enter the contest with perfect 9-0 records. North Attleboro gets a rematch with Duxbury for the Div. 3 South title, while King Philip puts its 22-game winning streak on the line against visiting Bridgewater-Raynham in the Div. 2 South final.