Carlins Platel played in some of the biggest defensive units in the history of the Everett High football team – and that says a lot for a program that won 13 state titles during the John DiBiaso Era.
Platel stood out as a cornerback for Crimson Tide alongside current college players Jason Maitre (BC), Lewis Cine (Georgia) Mike Sainristil (Michigan) and Duane Binns (Central Conn. State).
Platel has now gained his own opportunity to compete at the highest level of college football. After a notable career in Division 2 at Assumption College, where the 6-foot-1-inch, 200-pound pesticide was the All-Northeast-10 Rookie and, finally, the All-Northeast-10 Conference, Platel pledged to attend the University of South Carolina. This is great football with a capital ‘B’ – the Southeast Conference with capital “SEC”. The SEC is widely recognized as the best college football conference in the country. South Carolina is the state’s top sporting attraction and fans of the state of Palmetto love Gamecocks.
“It’s great to have a scholarship and the opportunity to attend an exceptional university like South Carolina,” said Platel, who will graduate in Health Sciences at Assumption in May. “I continued to work hard for it and good things happened.”
Carlins, of Haitian descent, is the son of Gerda Camille. He has four older brothers and a younger brother and sister.
Developing your talents at Pop Warner
As with many Everett High football players – from Gennaro Leo to Matt and Frank Nuzzo to Jonathan DiBiaso – the road to Carlins Platel’s success began with the city’s excellent Pop Warner football organization, now known as the Crimson Tide.
Carlins learned the rules and techniques of football and lessons in sportsmanship from dedicated coaches, and that the combination of teamwork and unity can produce many victories.
“I played from team ‘E’ to team ‘B’”, recalled Platel. “Pop Warner football in Everett went very well and it was a lot of fun.”
A Super Bowl ring as a senior
Carlins Platel went from Pop Warner to the Everett High freshman team and then became a reserve player on the Everett team as a second year. He suffered a broken collarbone in the first game of his first year, but returned to the state MIAA playoffs in November.
Platel had a big impact in the first playoff game when he intercepted a pass in the final minute to preserve Everett’s No. 8 12-7 victory over No. 1 seed St. John’s Prep. After defeating Peabody, 18-14 in the second round, when Jordan McAfee connected with Theo Zidor for TD’s victory with 14 seconds left, Everett fell to Central Catholic in the North Sectional finals.
But Platel would return to win his Super Bowl champion ring in his senior season. The rising defensive star had six interceptions in the division’s lead during the season, as Everett defeated Xaverian in Super Bowl Division 1, 21-7, in front of 6,000 fans at Manning Field in Lynn.
All-Conference Back at Assumption College
Carlins chose Asunción in Worcester as a college destination and became a three-year holder in the Greyhounds defensive field.
He started 13 games as a freshman and was nominated for the All-Northeast-10 Rookie Team when Assumption rose to the top 10 in the country and advanced to the NCAA Division 2 quarterfinals. He had two more excellent seasons, ending his career with seven interceptions and 96 tackles and bursting onto the national scene as a potential NFL draft candidate.
But Platel never had a chance to take the field in his fourth and final high school season, as the COVID-19 pandemic forced the 2020 campaign to be canceled.
Football offers from the main programs
Platel entered the transfer portal in October and received a lot of attention from Division 1 college football programs. Coastal Carolina (where Isaiah Likely from Everett is the initial tight end) was the first to make an offer to Platel.
He also received offers from Southern Alabama and the State of Mississippi (SEC member). And then, on a memorable day, South Carolina and Old Dominion offered scholarships.
“South Carolina has given me a great opportunity to be part of its program,” said Platel. “I just liked the coaching staff and what they are doing there.”
He is aware of the majesty of the SEC. “You get the best of the best competition in terms of competition and I’m really looking forward to playing our schedule this fall,” said Platel.
Gamecocks play at home at the Williams-Brice Stadium, which attracts crowds of 80,000 fans. South Carolina hosts Eastern Illinois (Tony Romo’s former school) at the opening followed by an out-of-conference game against East Carolina and the SEC opening in Georgia.
“The whole experience is exciting,” said Platel. “Not only will we have big fans at the games, but everyone at home can definitely tune in and watch.”
Looking back on his football career at Everett High, Platel has wonderful memories, especially of his coach, John DiBiaso.
“Coach DiBiaso was one of the best coaches I have ever had,” said Platel. “I think not only for me, but for everyone who played football for him – he prepared everyone to go to college, play football and graduate. He’s a very, very good coach. He knows what he’s doing and I wish him the best ever. “