Charlie Breitrose
Watertown senior quarterback Nick McDermott carries the ball in the home opener against Cambridge Rindge & Latin.
The Raiders got off to a fast start against Cambridge Rindge & Latin, but the offense struggled after losing the team’s starting running back, and a last minute comeback attempt failed. Watertown High School fell 21-19 in the team’s home opener Friday night at Victory Field.
Watertown’s senior quarterback Nick McDermott ran for two touchdowns and threw for a third, but Raiders running back Mange Camara missed much of the game with an apparent ankle injury. Last week, against Arlington Catholic, the senior scored three touchdowns.
After stopping the Falcons on their first possession, Watertown (1-1) drove 96 yard and went up 7-0 when McDermott scored on a sneak.
Charlie Breitrose
Senior running back Mange Camara missed most of Friday’s game against Cambridge Rindge & Latin with an injury.
Cambridge (1-1) took an 8-7 lead with under 9 minutes left in the second quarter by scoring a touchdown and a successful 2-point conversion. The Falcons also scored the next touchdown to take a 14-7 first half lead.
Before halftime, McDermott scored his second touchdown, but the Raider’s 2-point effort failed, leaving the score 14-13 in Cambridge’s favor at halftime.
Both teams were held scoreless for most of the second half, with the Falcons scoring a touchdown with 1:48 left in the fourth quarter, putting the visitors up 21-13.
Charlie Breitrose
Raiders quarterback Nick McDermott scored the first of two running touchdowns. He also threw for a score against Cambridge Rindge & Latin.
The Raiders comeback effort fell just short. The Raiders closed the gap with 24 seconds left on a drive that culminated with a 9-yard touchdown pass from McDermott to junior Brendan Cook. Watertown’s 2-point conversion effort failed.
Watertown got one more shot after recovering an onside kick, but the McDermott’s Hail Mary pass fell short.
The Raiders return to Victory Field on Friday, Sept. 21 at 7 p.m. for the Middlesex League opener against Melrose.
Charlie Breitrose
Watertown sophomore running back Shakel Inniss dives at the end of a run in the game against Cambridge Rindge & Latin at Victory Field.