Charlie Breitrose
Watertown getting ready to play Stoneham.
The Raiders take on Stoneham Friday night in the Div. 4 North Section final beginning at 7 p.m.
The Middlesex League foes played three weeks ago at Victory Field and Watertown came out on top 21-14. The win and a better record, however, did not guarantee the Raiders (6-3) a better seed than the Spartans (5-4). Both teams had some upsets along the way, but with the fifth seed, Stoneham got to host the section final.
Watertown has been lead by junior quarterback Deon Smith, who has scored numerous time on the ground, and added more touchdowns through the air. Junior running back Zach Rimsa has also been a force for the Raiders.
The Raiders defense will have to stop Stoneham running back. Evan Taylor. He scored three touchdowns in the Spartan’s win over Triton in the section quarterfinal and three more TDs against Bedford in the section semifinal. Brandon Cann quarterbacks the Spartan’s offense.
Live updates will be provided here. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.):
– Watertown wins the toss and will receive.
– Stoneham tries onside kick. Raiders get it.
– Three and out. Watertown punts. Stoneham gets it at their 33 with. 9:31 left first.
– Stoneham scores on a 53 yard TD pass from Brandon Cann to Tim Russell. Went for 2 but run failed. 6-0 Spartans 6:18 left.
– Watertown got the ball at the 7 and has driven to their own 32. Then penalty moved them to the 22. 3:12 left.
– Raiders fumble and Shane Collins returns it for a Stoneham TD. Kick good. 13-0 Spartans.
– 3 and out Watertown. Punt to Stoneham 49.
– End of first quarter. 13-0 Stoneham.
– Spartans drove to 15. Had 4th and 2 and got 7. First and goal.
– Stoneham’s Evan Taylor scores on a third and goal run from the 4. Kick good. Now Spartans 20-0 with 5:35 left second.
– Stoneham gets ball at own 27.
– Three and out. Raiders get ball at own 46. 1:10 left second.
– Deon Smith pitches to Kyle Foley who runs 53 yards for the TD. 20-7 Spartans.
– Halftime Stoneham 20, Watertown 7. Raiders take some momentum to the locker room after the long TD. Defense must stop the Spartans, though.
– Watertown kicks off to Stoneham. Touchback. Spartans start the third at the 20.
– Three and out. Punt returned to the Stoneham 40.
– Raiders convert on 4th and 1. After a Kyle Foley run Tyler Poulin scores from the 20. 20-13 Spartans, 7:08 left third.
– Three and out Stoneham. Raiders get ball on own 38.
– Watertown drive stalls at Stoneham 30. Can’t get it on 4th and 4.
– Watertown will start fourth quarter on its own 35 after a punt. Still 20-13 Stoneham.
– Deon Smith overthrew a wide open Kyle Foley. A fumble forced Watertown back to the 14 and a bad punt gave Stoneham. Ball at the Watertown 17.
– Stoneham scores on a 13 yard run, extending lead to 27-13.
– Watertown fumbles on first down. Stoneham gets ball at Raiders’ 25. 4:40 left in fourth.
– Stoneham misses a field goal. Raiders get ball at the 20 with 2:38 left.
– Watertown turns over ball on downs with 1:52 left. Stoneham kneeling. Final Stoneham 27, Watertown 13.