EVERETT – Everett needed a boost on Friday night.
Lukas Denis provided it and more. His pick-6 on the first play after halftime sparked a dominant second half for Everett in a 42-27 win over Malden at Veterans Memorial Stadium.
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The victory secured the second-ranked Crimson Tide’s 20th straight Greater Boston League title.
“It’s always nice to win the GBL title. This is a rivalry game, an important game,” said coach John DiBiaso, whose team hasn’t lost to Malden since 1991, a stretch of 22 games.
Malden started the second half with the ball — and momentum. The Golden Tornadoes (5-2) had tied it at 14 with 32 seconds left before halftime on a 20-yard interception return by lineman Josh Bessey. But on the first snap of the third quarter, the tables turned.
Denis hauled in a deep overthrow from Malden quarterback Kemoni Boone and took it 65 yards for a score that gave Everett a 20-14 lead.
“[The interception] was very big,” said DiBiaso.
After forcing Malden to punt on the ensuing drive, Everett (6-1) needed just two plays to extend the lead. Jordan McAfee found Gary Clark for a 44-yard score and Luis Cardona’s 2-point rush made it 28-14.
Malden answered three plays later when Danley Exilhomme broke a number of tackles and scampered down the sideline for a 67-yard score that cut the deficit to 28-21.
But again, Denis (13 rushes, 58 yards; 2 rushing TDs) came to the rescue and squashed Malden’s hopes. The senior Boston College commit capped a 10-play, 65-yard drive with a 1-yard TD that put Everett back up by two scores. Cardona added an insurance score.
“A lot of mistakes, especially in the first half. I thought we played much better offensively in the second half,” said DiBiaso. “We’ll take it. We’ve got to get ready for the playoffs next week.”