Playoffs are when the best of the best head against each other in a one elimination game, winner takes all. Each team gives it its all and leaves nothing on the field with no regrets.

The Watertown boys’ soccer team is in this position now. The Raiders have worked hard this season and grew as a team. Even if there were some bumps in the road on the way, they made it. Their record this season was 11-6-1, including a six-game win streak during the middle of the year, which helped them reach their goal of a place in the MIAA playoffs.

They beat some tough teams and lost to some tough teams, but in end the it all paid off. Watertown ended the year as the fifth seed in Division 3 North, which wasn’t easy. Each person works well together on and off the field, making sure everyone knows that they are a part of that family.

When asked what they thought about the playoffs, an outspoken senior had a very confident answer.

“I am the best player ever,” Akif Yagcioglu said.

He knows his skills, he knows how soccer works, he is a very smart player on the pitch — and may possibly be the best player in the world.

Robert Danielian, another WHS senior, had a very positive optimistic look on the playoffs.

“We just need to focus and take it on one game at a time, and big things are in our future,” he said.

Robert and Akif are are excited to play in the playoffs, which begin Friday, Nov. 2, at Victory Field. Whittier Tech (8-9-0), the 12th seed, will be coming to Watertown for a first-round game at 7 p.m. The winner will play in the Division 3 North quarterfinals on Monday, Nov. 6, at a time and place to be determined.

–Nov. 2, 2017–