fought back from a 19-point deficit, but Watertown's combination of quarterback Joey Farrar and wide receiver Giovanni Ortiz proved too much as the Red Raiders beat the Rams 25-14 Saturday night in a game played at Woburn's Connolly Field.
Up 7-0 in the first quarter, the Raiders started their second possession on their own 24-yard line after forcing the Rams to punt. In the first play of the drive, Farrar connected with Ortiz for a 76-yard touchdown.
With a little more than four minutes remaining in the first quarter, Watertown pressured Shawsheen Tech quarterback junior Mike O’Hearn into throwing an interception, which was returned for a touchdown. A second straight missed extra point made it 19-0.
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It looked like Watertown would have a comfortable lead entering
the second quarter but the Rams ran the ball for a touchdown with 58 seconds to play in the quarter. In their next possession, the Raiders fumbled and the Rams regained possession at Watertown’s 14-yard
line.
O’Hearn threw a 14 yard touchdown the next play. Shawsheen Tech’s sideline and supporters were breathing new life after the Rams scored two touchdowns in 16 seconds to make it 19-14.
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“We battled and had some opportunities to take the lead,” said Rams coach Al Costabile.
The Raiders wouldn’t let the game slip away. Their defense was just as impressive as their offense. Down 25-14 with less than a minute to play in the third quarter, the Rams opted to go for it on fourth-and-1 on the Raiders’ 8-yard line. The Raiders stuffed the fourth-and-1 run and forced the turnover on downs.
The Raiders had a key interception with 9:55 to play in the game. With a little more than 6 minutes remaining, the Rams lined up to take a field goal on fourth down that would have narrowed the lead to eight. Watertown was not caught off guard when the Rams faked the field goal and passed it. The Raiders deflected the pass and Farrar took a knee on the final possession to give Watertown a 25-14 win.
“We had big plays from a lot of positions,” said Raiders coach John Cacace. “Gio [Ortiz] brings speed and quickness. Joey was terrific
and gutsy. The defense forced turnovers. It was awesome.”
