In a few weeks the Watertown High School football team kicks off a season featuring at least four home games, including the annual Thanksgiving game, but their preseason slate begins this week.
The Raiders come off their first losing season in several years. This fall Coach John Cacace’s team will look to erase the disappointment of a 4-7 record, which saw WHS miss the playoffs and lose to their archrivals, Belmont, after six straight wins.
Watertown’s 2019 campaign begins with a non-league home game against Arlington Catholic on Sept. 13. Then they hit the road to take on Cambridge Rindge & Latin on Sept. 20 at Russell Field.
Watertown hosts the first two Middlesex League games, against Burlington on Sept. 27 and Wilmington on Oct. 4.
Then the Raiders hit the road for three straight. On Oct. 11 Watertown plays at Stoneham, followed by Wakefield on Oct. 18. The final pre-Thanksgiving league game will be at Melrose on Oct. 25.
Watertown hopes to return to the State Tournament after missing them for the first time since the change to the in-season playoffs last year. The first round is the week of Nov. 1, the section semifinals are on the week of Nov. 8 and the North Section final will be on the week of Nov. 15. If the Raiders do not make the playoffs, they play games against non-playoff teams, or those that have been eliminated.
The Raiders close the season with the annual clash against Belmont on Thanksgiving. This year, Watertown hosts the Marauders at Victory Field.
Before the games that count, Watertown will have four scrimmages. The first is at home against Essex Tech the morning of Aug. 24. The Raiders also host Quincy on Aug. 28, and play at Dedham on Aug. 31. The final scrimmage is on Sept. 7 at Victory Field. No opponent is listed on the schedule.
Aug. 24, 10 a.m. Home vs. Essex Tech
Aug. 28, 3:30 p.m. Home vs. Quincy
Aug. 31, 10 a.m. Away vs. Dedham
Sept. 7, 10:30 a.m. Home Scrimmage
Sept. 13, 7 p.m. Home vs Arlington Catholic
Sept. 20, 7 p.m. Away vs Cambridge Rindge & Latin (Russell Field)
Sept. 27, 7 p.m. Home vs Burlington
Oct. 4, 7 p.m. Home vs. Wilmington
Oct. 11, 6:30 p.m. Away vs. Stoneham
Oct. 18, 7 p.m. Away vs Wakefield
Oct. 25, 7 p.m. Away vs. Melrose
Week of Nov. 1, Playoff/Consolation Round 1
Week of Nov. 8, Playoff/Consolation Round 2
Week of Nov. 15, Playoff/Consolation Round 3
Nov. 28, 10:15 a.m. Home vs. Belmont