History lesson

There was something missing from Everett's postgame celebration after they handily defeated the Xaverian Hawks, 31-6 Tuesday night, and coach John DiBiaso knew exactly what it was.

"This is a nice win, but we don't get a trophy for this one," said DiBiaso. "We still have one more game to play."

Within minutes, that philosophy had spread through the entire team, with quarterback J.R. Suozzo and running back Isaac Johnson soon repeating the mantra of unfinished business.

You can certainly understand DiBiaso's concern. Two years ago the Crimson Tide advanced to the Super Bowl with a convincing win over Xaverian, and it seemed a foregone conclusion that the three-time defending champions would win, but Brockton pulled off a 22-21 upset.

Everett enters this year's contest 11-0, but it is the Boxers who are two-time defending champions, handing Dartmouth its first loss of the season Tuesday night, 15-14.

The Crimson Tide returned to the Super Bowl in impressive fashion, rolling over a Xaverian squad that seemed to be peaking as the playoffs came into focus. DiBiaso has faith in his squad, and it showed early as he rolled the dice and made a gutsy call in the first quarter. The Crimson Tide led 3-0 and were facing fourth-and-2 from the their own 35. Rather than punt, Everett went for it, and Suozzo made it pay off, faking a handoff up the middle to Nick Parker, then keeping the ball himself and taking off down the right sideline, 65 yards, for a touchdown.

"I have confidence in my offensive line," said Suozzo, who wears No. 8 and looks like a right-handed Steve Young under center. "I know they're going to protect me. We made a nice fake. Nick did a nice job, and I just took off."

The call showed DiBiaso believed in his entire team.

"It's not just the offensive line," said DiBiaso. "It's trusting J.R. as well. He has the option of pitching it out. I knew he would make the right decision."

Johnson was a thorn in Xaverian's side all night, rushing for 105 yards and two touchdowns. The play of the game might have been at the end of the first half. Trailing 24-0, the Hawks appeared to finally gain some momentum and drove the ball into the red zone. They were hoping to punch one in, then ride that emotion through halftime, and carry it over to when they received the opening kickoff in the second half.

It was not to be though, as Johnson made an outstanding defensive play, sticking with Xaverian wide receiver Kevon Mason on a fade and making a leaping inteception in the end zone to keep Xaverain scoreless at the half.

"We felt like we knew their routes," said Johnson. "We went over it all week. I knew on that play they were going to run a fade. From there, it was just being in the right position. I feel like I can jump with anyone"

Johnson stayed on the inside, and Mason never really had a chance. The second half turned into an exercise in running out the clock, as Everett turned its attention to Saturday's Super Bowl.

Shortly after the game was over, the Crimson Tide learned they would face Brockton again, in what fans are hoping is another classic. The two programs have combined to win the last five Division 1 Super Bowls, but to expect a repeat from two years ago might be asking a lot. Everett is averaging 39.2 points per game, while only allowing 11.9. For the Crimson Tide, it's been a long three years without a Super Bowl crown.