Lorenzo Recupero – Everett Leader Herald

Celebration of Life, Scholarship Set To Honor Late Michael Joseph Matarazzo

By LORENZO RECUPERO

When lifetime Everett resident Michael Matarazzo passed away suddenly in April of this year, it opened a huge void in the lives of those who had the chance to know him.

Included in the many in Everett grieving the loss of Matarazzo was childhood friend and former teammate, Ross Pietrantonio, who felt it necessary — and fitting — his longtime pal continue to be celebrated in life after his death.

“He was a legend,” said Pietrantonio, who first played football with Matarazzo on the Everett Pop Warner D-Team at 8-years-old. They traveled together to Florida for the national tournament. “[He was] quiet, hardworking and didn’t say a lot — but he did a lot,” said Pietrantonio of the late Matarazzo, who was part of multiple championship sea- sons for the Everett High School football dynasties of the 2000’s.

At a Celebration of Life at Village Bar & Grill scheduled for Thursday, July 7, Pietrantonio plans to commemorate the essence which made Matarazzo so special to the community, with hopes of recapturing it for the future.

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The Mountain’s Tip-Top

April 7: Boxer Richie LaMontagne jumps rope in the ring during his nightly workout at the Broadway Boxing Club. He is preparing for a fight in the summer. (Photo By Jim Mahoney)

By Lorenzo Recupero

According to a well-known mountain in Everett, ‘there’s no quitting boxing’.

That mountain – not to be confused with the Whidden hill – is, none other than Everett native and boxing champion Richie “The Mountain” LaMontagne.

At 52 years of age, he’s back in the ring doing what he does best and showing no signs of stopping.

“I love to fight,” said LaMontagne, who is preparing for his fourth professional bout since returning to the ring in October of 2021. Since returning to the pro ranks, he is 3-0 including two knockouts.

Prior to October, LaMontagne fought last in 2005, a World Boxing Union cruiserweight title fight with Enzo Maccarinelli. Now why would a man his age want to get punched still, you ask? It’s all about the thrill of the fight.

“It just feels real good to punch, and the fear of being punched, It’s living on the edge for me,” said LaMontange, who remains entrenched in his love for boxing.

And although he may not have competed professionally for nearly two decades, the will and desire never left.

“I never left the ring,” said LaMontagne. “Anyone that knows me knows I’ve been doing this since I was a kid. I grew up with punching bags in my cellar. I’d wake up every day and first thing I would do is walk down there and hit the bags and I still do. I’m not lying on my a** doing nothing. I push myself to my limits,” he said.

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Crimson Tide Basketball Continuing Ascent

Everett High’s David De Souza (left) and Jaysaun Coggins (right) scramble for a loose ball against Tech Boston Academy. (Photo by Jim Mahoney)

By Lorenzo Recupero

Everett Crimson Tide boys’ basketball has a strong core of young talent powering its rise this season.

At 13-2 overall with only seven games remaining, riding a 9-game win streak, the Tide find themselves undefeated at home (6-0) and in the GBL (11-0).

Within the team’s successful mix of talent are guys like second-year player David De Souza.

The junior guard has been a coaches dream in a so far successful season for the Tide.

“[De Souza] was a rotational player for us in the shortened season last year. Started the year playing limited minutes but minutes began to increase once we saw what he brought to the defensive end. Something clicked with him,” said EHS Head Coach Stanley Chamblain. “David built off last season and emerged into our defensive specialist guy we can count on night in and night out. He just plays so tough and hard all the time and with an edge too. He sets the tone for us just off his energy alone. You’ll look at the box score and his name may not pop out at you, but if you’re at the game or manage to catch it on livestream, you’ll immediately realize how vital he is to our team success,” said Chamblain of his high-energy guard.

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Patriots Drop Regular-Season Finale, Limp Into Playoffs

By Lorenzo Recupero

The New England Patriots finished the regular-season with a winning record, but how they look entering the postseason is hardly ideal.

Sunday’s nagging 33-24 loss to the Miami Dolphins had some playoff-seeding implications and the Patriots didn’t help themselves with a lackluster performance defensively, as the Dolphins (9-8) racked up 195 yards on the ground and nearly doubled the scoring output allowed per game (17.83 points) by the Pats. The offense and rookie quarterback Mac Jones arguably could be held more at fault for the loss, though, with 3 turnovers (interception, 2 fumbles).

The loss pushed the Patriots from the 5th to the 6th seed, which really made things more difficult. If the Pats won Sunday, they would be meeting the untested, rookie-led Bengals in the playoffs but instead they will meet Buffalo, the AFC East champions the past two seasons.

Furthermore, the Patriots opened and closed the season with a loss to the Dolphins for the first time since pre-TB12 and dynasty days, handing Miami their first regular-season sweep of the team since 2000.

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Co-captain Joe Murillo helps anchor EHS O-line

Offenseive lineman Joe Murillo (62) keeps the throwing lane clear for QB Karmarri Ellerbe. (Photo By Jim Mahoney)

By LORENZO RECUPERO

Crimson Tide senior captain Joe Murillo has spent the last four years committed to improving his game to help boost Everett High School’s offensive line to elite status.

At 6-foot-4, 300 pounds the left tackle, a starter for the first time in his career, has done so this season while earning the respect of his coaches and peers.

Behind the strength of Murillo and the offensive line, the Crimson Tide remained undefeated (5-0) while posting 18 touchdowns on the ground in just five games.

“His greatest quality is being a great kid who is coachable and has a team-first mentality,” said EHS Assistant Coach Ross Pietrantonio.

Head Coach Robert DiLoreto echoed the sentiment.

“We are very proud of Joe’s outstanding leadership this year. He has been a huge factor in our run, pass, and blocking game,” said DiLoreto, who has engineered an offense that is averaging nearly 200 rushing yards per game.

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