Lorenzo Recupero – Everett Leader Herald

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.

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.

Pietrantonio rushing for Ward 6 council score

City council candidate and Everett High assistant football coach Ross Pietrantonio is taking on Al Lattanzi for the open Ward 6 seat. (Photo by Joseph Prezioso)

Assistant EHS football battles local businessman for open spot in city government

By LORENZO RECUPERO

Lifelong Everett resident and standout athlete Ross Pietrantonio knows what it feels like to win for Everett, having been part of three championship Crimson Tide football teams. He plans to reprise the winning sentiment this fall, as a candidate for the open Ward 6 City Council seat.

A 2004 Everett High School graduate, Pietrantonio hasn’t felt pressure from anyone but himself to run for city council, stating he’s not a politician, just a guy from the city who wants to help.

He is resolute and his motive for running is clear: Everett kids deserve more.

Youth development is at the forefront of Pietrantonio’s campaign platform. The city’s lack of such programs has been a source of major frustration for him.

“The city’s missing active role models for our youth and I want to fill one of those roles,” said Pietrantonio, who plans, win or lose, to live by his campaign slogan: “Change starts with you”.

“[The slogan] is pretty simple. If you want to help change something, you can’t wait for someone else to do it, you need to be first,” he said.

Tide pound Revere 43-6, Lynn Classical up next

MAY 7: Darryl Monvil sails into the endzone against Revere. (Photo by Jim Mahoney)

Clerveaux and Lamothe lead the way to big win

By LORENZO RECUPERO

The Crimson Tide crushed Revere High School, 43-6, in the last home game of the season at Veterans Memorial Stadium Friday.

It was a special night for 12 seniors including Josaiah Stewart, Samy Lamothe, Brandon Gibbs, Tyrese Baptiste, Tyler David, Egan Gouveia, Ali Fountain, David Matthias, Brendon Previlon, Jasheem Rivera, Donrae Richardson, and RadJiwa Norestant who were cheered on by family, friends, and teammates as they donned Everett crimson for the last time.

First-year head coach Robert DiLoreto said they exemplify the strength of Crimson Tide football.

“All 12 of our seniors have been outstanding leaders,” said DiLoreto. “They have committed themselves to working hard and buying into the team mentality. I am so proud. It has been a pleasure to coach each of them,” he said.

Bullock led Tide as captain in late 1800s

Matthew Bullock, Everett High School star went on to Dartmouth College. (Creative Commons)

By LORENZO RECUPERO

Everett is no stranger to great athletes and sports teams. We all know names such as Diamond Ferri, Omar Easy, who both excelled on the football field for the Crimson Tide before runs in the NFL, and even Ghared Boyce, the city’s all-time leading basketball scorer, among many other names that proved their ability in a special way on the field and hardwood of play.

But what do all the aforementioned athletes have in common? They are all achieving Black men.

In honor of Black History Month, we at the Leader Herald would like to shed light on the first documented African American leader in Everett sports history – Mr. Matthew Bullock.