Page 10 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, SEpTEmbER 11, 2026 Everett High football, girls’ soccer gears up for their upcoming seasons with a nice mix of youth, veterans The Everett Crimson Tide 2026 football captains; Steven Thomas, Kamari Washum, Jamauri Dulin, Armani Negron, Omarian Ayala, Tyler Freni and Jeremiah Joseph. (Advocate photos by Emily Harney) By Joe McConnell Tide football hosts non-league Arlington Friday night in the home opener C rimson Tide football is back, and it all begins Friday night, Sept. 11, against non-league Arlington in the home opener at Everett Veterans Memorial Stadium, starting at 6 p.m. Coach Rob DiLoreto is also back for Year 2 in his second incarnation as the team’s football boss. Last year, the rebuilding was underway, and as a result they finished up with a 3-7 record. “Our team learned many important lessons from last season,” DiLoreto said. “Most importantly, we learned that every day was an opportunity to improve, and have since continued to embrace (that concept). It’s all centered around a family atmosphere from top to bottom.” DiLoreto added that the players have worked hard in the offseason to get ready for the fall ahead. “They committed to our strength and conditioning program, and are now prepared physically and mentally for the season. As coaches, we are very proud of the work ethic that they have displayed (so far),” he elaborated. The Tide will be led by captains Tyler Freni (running back, linebacker), Omarian Ayala (center), Kamari Washum (offensive, defensive tackle), Jamauri Dulin (wide receiver, defensive back), Armani Negron (tight end, linebacker) and Stevenstone Thomas (running back, linebacker) this year. Arguably, the most important position in football will be in the capable hands of freshman Michael Walsh for the 2026 season. “It is a credit to Michael’s talent and work ethic that he earned the starting job at quarterback,” said DiLoreto. One year ago, both Lynn English and Somerville were the top teams in the Greater Boston League, and DiLoreto anticipates more of the same in terms of competitiveness this season. “We expect the league to be strong again this year, particularly those two teams that are returning many talented players,” he said, “but we also know that every GBL opponent will be a challenge for us.” Tide girls soccer takes on Malden in the home opener under the lights Sept. 17 T he Everett High girls soccer team ended up with a 6-10-2 record last year. “It was a tough season,” admitted coach Dom Persuitte, who’s beginning his sixth season along the Tide sidelines. But the veteran Everett coach is ready turn the proverbial page as the 2026 gets underway this week. “The season is looking bright,” he said. “We have many returnees, along with a lot of new faces. The returnees are already helping out the freshmen, showing them the ins and outs of high school soccer. The goal this year is to keep building up the program, and, of course, make it to the state tournament. I have very high hopes for this season, because of those returnees and the new faces. We now have more overall options than ever before throughout the program. This will allow me to move players into roles better suited for them without sacrificing other positions.” Seniors Sofia Arana-Quintanillia and Kayla Andrade are this year’s captains and are also the only seniors in the program. Junior Gissell Lemus is ready to begin her third season on the varsity as one of the team’s leaders. “I look forward to seeing what we can do as a program,” said Persuitte. “All of my girls SPORTS | SEE PAGE 11
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