During Everett’s 13-0, Super Bowl-winning season last fall, record-setting quarterback Jonathan DiBiaso often credited his offensive line for his success.
He was being modest, but DiBiaso may also have been right.
Everett junior lineman John Montelus gave a verbal commitment to attend Notre Dame in 2013 after visiting the school over the weekend and attending the annual spring football game.
“He saw the spring game and fell in love with the campus,’’ said Everett coach John DiBiaso. “His mom all along wanted him to go to a good academic school. It just fit perfect. His mother loved the idea they graduate 100 percent of their athletes. I’m just so happy for both of them.’’
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The 6-foot-5-inch, 315-pound Greater Boston League All-Star is the first Everett football player to commit to Notre Dame since Rudy Romboli in 1942.
But Romboli, Everett’s captain and leading scorer in 1941, never made it to South Bend. He was drafted into the Army and fought in World War II. When he returned from the war he went straight to the pros and played for the NFL’s Boston Yanks at Fenway Park.
Montelus, 16, chose Notre Dame from a long list of Division 1 offers including Florida, Ohio State, West Virginia, Nebraska, USC, and Boston College.
The atmosphere at Saturday’s Blue-Gold game, televised nationally by NBC, made it difficult for Montelus to say no. More than 31,000 fans attended the 83d annual game.
“Little kids were asking him for autographs. There was a pep rally before the spring game,’’ said John DiBiaso. “It’s just a great school. And a great opportunity for him.
“He’s one of the best we’ve ever had. He certainly has the most potential of anyone we’ve had. If he has a good career there I can see him playing in the pros.’’
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Montelus began as a 6-2, 190-pounder and started as a 14-year-old sophomore.
Baseball
Catholic Memorial 8, Xaverian 3 - Pat Hurley pitched a complete game with 12 strikeouts, and the 10th-ranked Knights left Westwood with a win over the eighth-ranked Hawks.
Boys’ volleyball
Cambridge 3, Arlington 0 - Outside hitters Jalen Penrose and Robbie Buderi produced a pair of kills to set up and clinch match point as the fourth-ranked Falcons won their seventh straight.
North Quincy 3, Taunton 0 - Outside hitter Aris Vega boosted the sixth-ranked Red Raiders with 18 kills and five aces.
Needham 3, Wellesley 0 - The host Rockets swept on the strength of junior captain Sam Tilloston’s 16 kills.
Lawrence 3, Dracut 0 - Outside hitter Anibal Henriquez had eight kills for the No. 5 Lancers.
Lincoln-Sudbury 3, Acton-Boxboro 0 - Bill Shimkus set the tone early for the eighth-ranked Warriors (5-1), starting the match with six straight service points.
Softball
Pembroke 12, Hingham 6 - Junior captain Michelle Muriph went 3 for 4 with a home run for the Titans.
Girls’ lacrosse
Needham 13, Andover 8 - Sophomore keeper Annee O’Connor made a season-high 11 saves, Maddie Stenberg (five goals, two assists) and Catherine Conley (four goals, one assist) supplied the offense, and the seventh-ranked Rockets (7-1) knocked off the fifth-ranked Golden Warriors.
Canton 14, Norwood 13 - Senior Michelle McNeil scored four goals and her sister Mary scored two for the Bulldogs.
Weymouth 22, Fontbonne 8 - Juniors Alex King and Caroline Smart each potted five goals for the Wildcats.
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Arlington Catholic 17, St. Mary’s 10 - Freshman goalie Olivia Dellano had 15 saves for the Cougars and junior Alana Zucco notched four goals and two assists.