Page 8 THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2022 GREATER BOSTON LEAGUE ROUNDUP: Malden High kicker Ronald Juarez gets D1 Football Offer from Merrimack Former Everett High star DB Lewis Cine recovering from major injury in fi rst NFL season Revere High sports ready to go for the 2022-2023 GBL season Then it was right back to the kid: "He will get more off ers very soon, if one coach strikes gold, other coaching staffs want a piece of it, too," Coach Exilhomme said. The Malden coach, who led By Jason Mazzilli W hen Malden High head football coach Witche Exilhomme learned the news that the fi rst Division 1 college football offer to a Tornado player since he assumed the reins was in the bank, his immediate reaction was pride. the Tornado football team to its most victories in eight seasons (4-6) this past fall, got a text from Class of 2022 placekicker Ronald Juarez Tuesday night that he had received a D-1 off er from Merrimack College. It was the fi rst Malden player to receive a D-1 off er since 2015, when the coach's own two brothers, D.J and Danley Exilhomme got the nod from Central Connecticut State University (CCSU). Not a bad package deal for the Blue Devils — two of Malden's all-time best players! Juarez had a standout career www.eight10barandgrille.com We Have Reopened for Dine-In and Outside Seating every day beginning at 4 PM WE'RE OPEN! 8 Norwood Street, Everett (617) 387-9810 STAY SAFE! at Malden High, playing the 2018-2020 seasons under former head coach Steve Freker and then his senior year, 2021, with Coach Exilhomme. Due to unpredictable and cloudy recruiting seasons during the COVID-19 pandemic, it was diffi cult for Juarez to be seen extensively, though he did attend several national-level kicking camps accompanied by Coach Freker in the past several years. They were run by nationally-renowned Chris Sailer and also Kicking World, in outof-state locales such as Florida, North Carolina and New Jersey. Following last season, Coach Exilhomme suggested that Juarez attend the coach's former postgraduate destination, Milford Academy, in upstate New York. Juarez was immediately accepted and locked it in to attend Milford just about one year ago. It turned out to be exactly the right move, as Juarez excelled at Milford — which plays a national schedule — dominating the kicking game, including a 51-yard fi eld goal made in one game and several other clutch kicks. In the meanwhile, Juarez continued to send highlight clips to basically every Division 1 and Division 2 college football program on the East Coast. "He knew what he wanted and he stayed with it. I really don't think he missed contacting any program you could possibly think of," Coach Freker said. "He's a very hard worker and has always been extremely motivated." Malden High Director of Athletic said he always thought highly of Juarez. "He worked hard to improve his craft of kicking and he also stepped it up in the classroom when he set his sights on playing college football. "Ronald Juarez is most likely the best placekicker or at least one of the very best, to ever play football at Malden High," Conefrey said, noting the Class of 2022 grad booted the game winning fi eld goal in not one, but two Thanksgiving wins over Medford, in the 29-0 rout in 2019 and the 12-10 (no off ensive touchdowns scored) win in 2021. Juarez's "ship came in," so to speak, when he received his fi rst Division 1 off er from Merrimack Tuesday night. After receiving a number of other off ers from Division 3 and 2 schools, this fi rst D-1 off er really excited him. Coach Exilhomme is convinced more high-end offers are coming. "Everyone's always digging for gold when it comes FOOTBALL | SEE Page 9 Former Malden High standout Ronald Juarez, Class of 2022, recently received a Division 1 football off er to attend Merrimack College. Former Everett High and University of Georgia star Lewis Cine suff ered a horrifying injury while blocking on a punt for the Minnesota Vikings against New Orleans in London in early October. (Courtesy Photo) Ronald Juarez kicked the game winning fi eld goals in each of the past two Malden High Thanksgiving Day victories over Medford before this year, in 2019 and 2021.
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