After a slow start, the Watertown High School football team got in sync and rolled over Austin Prep in the first round of the MIAA Div. 3 North Playoffs, Friday night.
The top-seeded Raiders were lead by senior quarterback Deon Smith, who found the end zone at Victory Field three times in the 34-18 win.
The visitors held a 6-0 lead at the end of the first quarter, following a Jake Thain touchdown run and two Watertown fumbles. That lead ended on the first play of the second quarter when Smith ran it in from 27 yards out for the 7-6 Raiders lead.
His second touchdown came on a 36-yard run later in the quarter, and a weaving 55-yard run by senior running back Zach Rimsa gave the Raiders a 20-6 halftime lead.
Junior running back Isiah Pierre increased the Watertown lead when he ran for a 20 yard score in the third quarter.
After two Austin Prep touchdowns with failed conversions, Smith finished the scoring with a 35-yard run in the fourth quarter.
Next Friday, Watertown (7-1) hosts fourth seeded Newburyport (3-4), which won 21-17 over Pentucket on Friday. The North Section semifinal will begin at 7 p.m. at Victory Field.