Charlie Breitrose
Watertown junior Conor Kennelly, left, is congratulated by senior Ryan Barry for hitting the game winning field goal against Belmont in 2015.
Coming off one of the most successful seasons in years, the Watertown High School football team is nearly ready to kick off the season – well the preseason, anyway.
Last year the Raiders lost in the section final to league-rival Stoneham, but defeated Belmont on a last-minute field goal. The first scrimmage for the 2016 squad will be held Saturday, Aug. 27 at 10 a.m. at Victory Field.
After a second scrimmage at Newburyport, Watertown plays its first official game on Saturday, Sept. 10 at Arlington Catholic.
The schedule has a new opponent this year – Plymouth South, who the Raiders take on in the final non-league game on Sept. 16. The Middlesex League season kicks off with a home game against Wakefield on Sept. 23.
The schedule is loaded with home games early – three of the first four – and with away games late in the season. Watertown has four straight away league games, counting the Belmont game on Thanksgiving at 10 a.m.
Before the annual clash, however, will be the playoffs. Watertown seeks its fourth straight playoff berth.
2016 Watertown Football Schedule
Saturday, Aug. 27, 10 am, Home vs North Shore Tech (Scrimmage)
Saturday Sept. 3, 10 am, Away @ Newburyport (Scrimmage)
Saturday Sept. 10, 1 pm, Away @ Arlington Catholic
Friday, Sept. 16, 7 pm, Home vs Plymouth South
Friday Sept. 23, 7 pm, Home vs Wakefield
Friday Sept 30, 7 pm, Home vs Melrose
Friday Oct. 7, 7 pm, Away @ Burlington
Friday, Oct. 14 7 pm, Away @ Wilmington
Friday Oct. 21, 7 pm, Away @ Stoneham
Friday, Oct. 28 or Saturday Oct. 29, TBA (Section quarterfinals of playoffs or consolation round)
Friday Nov. 4 or Saturday, Nov. 5, TBA (Section semis of playoffs or consolation round)
Friday Nov. 11 or Saturday Nov. 12, TBA (Section final of playoffs or consolation round)
Thursday Nov. 24, 10 am, Away @ Belmont
(Home games are played at Victory Field, 60 Orchard St., Watertown)