The Watertown High football team has come a long way since practices began in the middle of August. There have been dramatic plays, crushing defeats, and thrilling victories. There’s only one final game looming for this Raider team, the Thanksgiving game against hated rivals Belmont.

The big game will serve as Watertown’s curtain call of the year, capping a season that, despite a first-round exit from the Division 4 playoffs, has been a historic one.

In completing a perfect 7-0 regular season, the Raiders never missed a beat through the first two months of the season, capturing their first Middlesex League title in more than three decades with a last-second win against Wilmington.

The Raiders had four players named Middlesex League All-Stars: seniors Austin Farry, Angel Carrion, Erik Baghdasaryan, and Nick Giordano. Giordano, the Raiders quarterback, also captured the Middlesex League MVP award.

“I think it’s been a terrific year,” said coach John Cacace. “It’s been a great group of guys to work with. We’ve had great leadership. Everyone worked extremely hard to prepare for the season and for each game going all the way back to last winter.”

The Raiders play in Belmont against their neighbors, in one of the fiercest rivalries in Massachusetts football. The Thanksgiving game is always a focus for the Raiders, particularly for the seniors who are finishing their careers against their hated rivals.

“The Belmont game is huge,” Cacace said. “It’s so fun to be a part of rivalry this big. So many people have an attachment to the game and it’s great to see everyone at the game. Our players are excited to play on Thursday and the seniors understand this is the last time they will get wear the red and black for Watertown. It’s a special day for everyone.”

The rivalry spans most sports, but is arguably fiercest and most competitive on the football field, as the teams prepare for their 93d meeting. Watertown holds a 44-43-5 edge in the series.

“[The rivalry] has the history dating back to 1921,’’ said Cacace. “It’s got the proximity with the bordering towns.  It’s got everything. Nobody wants to lose, and so many people have been a part of this rivalry that it’s bigger than just those involved in the current-day version.

“It’s an honor to be a part of it, and it will create memories that last a lifetime.”

Despite putting together a flawless regular season, the Raiders weren’t able to carry their momentum into the playoffs, falling in the first round to Swampscott on their home field. The Raiders had the lead for much of the game, but a final-minute Swampscott touchdown carried the seventh-seeded Big Blue to a 24-21 victory.

“I think our team played tough,” said Cacace. “I think the kids played hard and stayed together down the stretch and fought ‘til the end, but I think Swampscott is a terrific team. I thought their quarterback was a terrific playmaker and made a lot of big plays. They were well coached and played a great game.”

The loss left Watertown at 7-1, still with two games to play in the consolation bracket to complete its schedule. The Raiders bounced back the following week with a 33-15 victory over Saugus, before nearly completing a big comeback against Weston, however falling short, 29-21.  

That loss left the Raiders with an 8-2 record heading into the final game of the season on Thanksgiving against Belmont, which carries a 3-7 record.

Watertown opened the season with non-league wins over Medway and Shawsheen Tech. Giordano put on an exhibition through the air against Stoneham, posting 247 yards and throwing for three touchdowns in a 29-14 victory. Giordano followed that up with a dazzling four-touchdown performance in a 40-22 dismantling of Wakefield, throwing for two TDs and scoring two more with his feet.

The biggest test of the season came on senior night against Melrose. The Raiders squeaked out a 28-26 win at Victory Field, highlighted by a pivotal late-game interception by Farry, which was followed by an 81-yard touchdown run by Giordano.

The win brought the Raiders to 5-0, and put them safely in first place in the Middlesex League Freedom Division. As for Melrose, it bounced back strong and will be playing for the Division 3 Super Bowl at Gillette Stadium on Dec. 6.

For Watertown, defensive heroics played a big part again in a thrilling 36-29 triumph over Burlington, as junior safety Stevie Mey’s interception with seconds remaining halted a Burlington comeback and gave the Raiders a big road win.

The Raiders had let a 21-point lead slip away in the second half, but a 68-yard drive culminated in 2-yard touchdown run by sophomore Zach Rimsa with 30 seconds remaining put the Raiders in the driver’s seat and the defense finished the job.

“I think the Melrose game really established us as a contender,” said Cacace. “We knocked off the defending league champs and positioned ourselves to make a run for the title. After that, we had the tremendous comeback against Burlington when it looked like we might let our opportunity for the title slip away, but scored the game winner in the final minute.”

With a 6-0 record in hand, the Raiders walked into Wilmington with a chance to clinch sole possession of the league title. With yet another final-minute interception, the Raiders delivered. Rimsa dove into the end zone to put the Raiders up, 14-7, at the start of the fourth quarter. The defense stopped a Wilmington drive with only a minute remaining, as senior Jared Grillo snatched a Wildcat pass for the game-sealing interception.

Cacace said, “[When] we hung on to win the Wilmington game in the final minute, after that game, when we clinched the title all alone, the excitement and joy on everyone’s face was something special. That was a great moment.”

With the win, the Raiders completed a perfect 7-0 regular season and took home the Middlesex League title for the first time in 31 years.

“This is a great senior class that is playing their last game on Thursday,” Cacace said. “They’ve accomplished a lot … and with the opportunity to win nine games and beat Belmont for three straight years, this could be one of the all-time great seasons for Watertown.

“I love these guys. They are great football players, but more importantly, they are great people. They stick together, they care about each other, and they try to represent the team and program the best they can.

“Their leadership is terrific. The older guys support the coaches and work with the younger guys, and most importantly, they all compete. The play every snap til the end, and they’ve been a pleasure to coach.  Being a part of our football family is a special thing, and this group appreciates that.”

–Nov. 26, 2014–