LAWRENCE — Perhaps it was fitting Everett clinched the Division 1 North sectional final on a Saturday. After all, the Crimson feature a swath of players who will lace up their cleats at the collegiate level once their days playing under Everett coach John DiBiaso come to a close.
There was Lewis Cine, the heavily recruited, 6-foot-3-inch, 180-pound safety who delivered his share of bone-crunching hits to unsuspecting Central Catholic skill players. There was Mike Sainristil, Isaiah Likely, and Anthony Norcia — Everett’s version of Earth, Wind and Fire — snaring passes many would deem uncatchable. There was Jake Willcox, the junior quarterback with the unassuming, even-keeled temperament whose precision and touch were at the heart of a perfect Crimson season.
It took third-seeded Everett (9-0) mere minutes to pull ahead of the host Raiders, Willcox connecting with Likely for a 2-yard score en route to a 37-29 victory at Veterans Memorial Stadium that was far less competitive than the final score indicated.
Everett will face Xaverian in a rematch of last year’s Division 1 Super Bowl at Gillete Stadium in December, a contest the Crimson won, 21-7.
Willcox was especially masterful, wielding control of the ultra-efficient Everett offense early and often, tossing for four touchdowns and 309 yards on 18-of-27 passing.
“We did exactly what we practiced all week, same plays, everything,’’ Willcox said. “They came out how we thought they were going to. [We] got a lot of reps during practice so by the time we came out here it was like second nature.’’
After Central’s first possession resulted in a three-and-out, the Crimson took advantage of a Raider miscue.
On third and 10 from his 35, Willcox recognized Sainristil was uncovered in the slot. The junior hoisted a floater that fell softly into his target’s hands, Sainristil scampering unabated into the end zone for a 14-0 first-quarter advantage.
Everett’s defense was equally formidable, Sainristil and Cine intercepting doomed efforts from Central quarterback Bret Edwards as the Crimson front seven toyed with an overmatched offensive line.
“We made plays the first two quarters,’’ said DiBiaso. “I thought we played well defensively, we played well on special teams. Offensively, we moved the ball through the air. We had some matchups and we capitalized.’’
Everett accumulated 300 yards of total offense in the first half, Norcia, Likely and Kevin Brown rounding out the scoring for a 34-6 lead at the break.
Norcia caught 7 passes for 129 yards and Likely and Sainristil combined for 10 catches and 162 yards.
“They’re all studs,’’ Willcox said of his three-headed receiving monster. “I have the best receivers in the state, definitely, by far. You can’t forget about [Jason] Maitre, too; he’s an absolute animal.’’
The Raiders made noise in the fourth quarter, cutting their deficit from 31 to 8 points with 58 seconds remaining following back-to-back scores from senior running back Ty Donatio (three touchdowns). The effort was too late as a Central onside kick bounced out of bounds to seal things for the Crimson.
Owen Pence can be reached at owen.pence@globe.com.
