Charlie Breitrose
Watertown hosts Belmont in the annual Thanksgiving Football Game at 10:45 a.m. Thursday.
Watertown has dominated the annual Thanksgiving Game with Belmont recently, winning the last three years, but the Marauders could be a more challenging opponent this year.
Last year, the Raiders thrashed Belmont 34-13 on their home turf. Watertown finished an impressive 9-2, while the Marauders finished just 3-8.
The 2015 edition of the rivalry (Thursday at 10:15 a.m. at Watertown’s Victory Field) features a Watertown team that comes in 6-4, while Belmont has gone 4-6 this year. The Raiders’ record includes two playoff wins, while the Marauders collected a couple wins in the non-playoff rounds. Belmont, however, played in the large school division of the Middlesex League – the Liberty Division.
If oddsmakers were to make a spread, surely the Raiders would be favorites, especially at home. But they were expected to beat Belmont the year that Victory Field debuted its new turf – 2011 – but the Marauders pulled it out.
Watertown features a powerful run offense, led by junior quarterback Deon Smith. Running back Kyle Foley also has the ability to make big gains, and in short-yardage situations Zach Rimsa is called upon. Smith can put it in the air when needed, too.
Belmont has its own star runner. Mekhai Johnson ran for nine touchdown in the last three games – five against Boston Latin and four against Somerville but was shut out against Masconomet. The Marauders also have an experience in junior quarterback in Cal Christofori, who will play in his third Thanksgiving Day game.
Can’t make it to the game – get live updates from Victory Field below:
Updates will begin near kickoff which will be shortly after 10:15.
And we are live! Watertown up 7-0 in the second. Belmont has it on the Raiders 9. Touchdown Belmont. Now 7 all with. 4:07 ledt second quarter.
3:19 left – Big run by Deon Smith moves the ball to the Belmont 24.
41 secs left second – Touchdown Watertown! Kyle Foley runs it in from 7 yards out. 14-7 Watertown.
8 secs left – Belmont moved to the Raider 18.
3 secs left – Belmont kicks a field goal. Watertown 14, Belmont 10 at halftime.
Raiders scored on a 19 yard run by Deon Smith after Belmont snapped the ball over the punter’s head.
Teams getting ready for the second half.
Raiders kickoff lands at 25, loose ball recoverd by Watertown at the Belmont 22.
9 mins left third – first and goal at the 1 for Watertown.
8 mins left – Kyle Foley scores! Watertown leads 21-10.
6 mins left – Roughing the passer penalty keeps the Belmont drive alive. Marauders now at the WHS 49.
3 mins left third – Belmont goes for it on fourth and 3, Watertown goes offside. Belmont now at the Watertown 26.
End of third – Watertown 21, Belmont 10. Marauders have it third and 6 at the Watertown 10.
10 mins left – Raiders move on fourth and 1. Belmont first down at the 3.
9 mins left fourth – Mekhai Johnson scores. Belmont goes for 2 but is stopped when Johnson fumbles juar short of the end zone. Now Watertown 21, Belmont 16.
8:52 left – Good runback by Smith comes back due to Watertown personal foul. Ball at Belmont 15.
7 mins left – Watertown punt blocked. Belmont gets ball at the Watertown 10.
6:05 left – Ben Jones runs dor a 4 yard touchdown. He is stopped on the conversion. Belmont leads for the first tome 22-21.
Watertown returns kickoff to Raiders 48. Fumbles on first play. Belmont called for unsportsmanlike conduct. Ball at Belmont 45.
4:56 left fourth – Watertown going for it on fourth and 3 at the Belmont 38. Pass incomplete.
2:56 left – Offsides on third and 10 gives Belmont a first at the Watertown 48.
2:39 left – Watertown calls last timeout after stopping them on second down. Belmont called for holding on long run.
1:45 left – Belmont punt goes out at the Raiders’ 19.
1:22 left – Smith runs 19 yards. Then passes to Poulin to the Belmont 39.
24 secs left – Belmont drops. Interception.
13 secs left – Conor Kennelly kicks a field goal. During celation WHS called for unsportsmanlike penalty.
Final Watertown 24, Belmont 22. Belmont last gasp falls incomplete.