Catholic Memorial senior quarterback Kise Flannery has emerged as a star.
After powering the Knights to a Div. 2 Tremendous Bowl championship final 12 months, the captain has his squad off to a 4-0 begin. Now he’s trying to cap his highschool profession in type.
“Once you placed on the helmet and the jersey, you’re not simply taking part in for you,” Flannery mentioned. “You’re taking part in for the individuals who look after you. So, it’s actually such as you’re attempting to uphold that very same identify, that very same historical past that got here earlier than you. It’s a really proud second, to have the ability to be a part of one thing that’s so large, greater than your self.”
Since his teaching profession began at St. Patrick’s in Watertown in 1982, coach John DiBiaso has captured 16 state titles in Massachusetts. This included 12 with Everett, and three extra since taking up at Catholic Memorial in 2018. He’s had a number of athletes attain the NFL.
“He’s up there with the nice gamers I’ve had,” DiBiaso mentioned. “He’s simply an superior mixture. A fantastic pupil going to Harvard, and really sharp. An amazing soccer participant, and actually a top-notch chief.”
Flannery joined the Knights after transferring from Catholic Convention rival BC Excessive previous to final fall.
“Clearly, having Coach Dibs was a giant issue,” mentioned Flannery. “With the ability to be mentored by him, and being in a program with that form of pedigree was an enormous a part of it too. The college welcomed me in, and it felt like a superb place for me and my household.”
Nearly instantly, the transfer paid dividends.
“He began his first recreation final 12 months within the first recreation of the 12 months,” DiBiaso mentioned. “We gained 12 in a row after that.”
Catholic Memorial claimed its third Tremendous Bowl in 4 seasons on Dec. 5, 2024, cruising to a 39-21 victory over King Philip. That evening, Flannery broke issues open simply previous to half, connecting with Mekhi Dodd for a 37-yard landing go at Gillette. Final 12 months, he accomplished 92-of-128 passes for 1,628 yards and 22 touchdowns, ending with a quarterback score of 126. He added 235 yards speeding with 5 extra scores.
“It felt prefer it all flew by, actually,” mentioned Flannery. “I jumped proper into it as a result of I didn’t actually get an offseason with the crew. I used to be injured in the summertime. Nevertheless it felt nice to step into that function, do what was requested, and to win the Tremendous Bowl.”
Flannery opted to decide to Harvard in March. He acquired quite a few affords from different Ivy League packages, together with Davidson.
Flannery selected to make Cambridge his subsequent residence for the foreseeable future after giving it a lot thought, his household being a high precedence.
“Once I went on my first go to there, I knew that was the place I needed to go straight away,” mentioned Flannery. “I fell in love with the campus, and the place itself. Then with it being near residence, I might keep close to my mother, my little brothers and sister, it made it excellent. I might nonetheless see them develop up alongside the best way. They’ll be capable of come watch me play.”
DiBiaso was happy with Flannery’s choice.
“Harvard is the highest college on the earth,” DiBiaso mentioned. “He has a possibility to go there. He’s a Boston child, staying residence, near his mother and siblings, who’re very younger. It’s the perfect of the whole lot for him. I do know it’ll set him up for the following 50 years of his life.”
In 4 video games this 12 months, Flannery has accomplished 73 p.c of his passes (33-for-45) with 640 yards and 11 touchdowns for a quarterback score of 136. He’s added 228 yards speeding and three extra touchdowns as well. Catholic Memorial has averaged 40.3 factors.
“I feel the important thing to success is simply being with the crew and maintaining that bond we now have,” mentioned Flannery. “And each day in observe, (we now have to) simply preserve coming in, and dealing to the perfect of our means in order that when it’s recreation time, we’re prepared. That bond will carry us by way of.”
