RallyNorth.net

Watertown knocks Hornets out of playoffs

NORTH READING — North Reading head coach Jeff Wall said the Hornets knew what Watertown would do, and they were prepared for it. But quarterback Deon Smith just proved too much to handle last night for the Hornets, who fell 31-7 in the Division 4 North semifinals. 

"Every team you play at this time of year is a great team," he said. "We're out of our league but we knew what they liked to do. We were prepared for it and I'm proud of the kids because they battled all night, they were just really good and better than we were."

Deon Smith, Watertown's quarterback, ran for 292 yards and three touchdowns. The Red Raiders completed 14 first downs and totaled 369 yards on the ground in the game.

After Smith's first touchdown, a 66-yard scamper, North Reading's Matt McCarthy responded with a 61-yard touchdown on the very next snap.

"I was definitely proud of the way we responded," Wall said. "No one was hanging their head. I told our kids, don't hang your head. Be proud of what you accomplished."

North Reading was in the playoffs for the first time in at least 35 years. Wall said that they'll move on to Bedford next week before prepping for Lynnfield on Thanksgiving, but at some point there will be time to reflect no just what was accomplished this fall. The loss to Watertown was just the Hornets' second loss of the season after falling to Pentucket earlier this year.

"Right now it's hard to think about it," he said. "You look at these kids' faces and it's hard. It's really hard. but I'm sure that we'll be able to appreciate it. It's just hard right now."

North Reading also struggled offensively, totaling 62 yards on 21 plays outside of the McCarthy touchdown run. The Hornets went 1 for 9 on third down.