WATERTOWN – Friday night’s 15-7 win for Watertown against Middlesex League foe Melrose wasn’t just any ordinary regular season win. It’s one of the biggest wins in program history. Three years ago, the Raiders were a laughing stock, an afterthought around the state. Thanks to a memorable all-around performance from Maximus Velazquez and a few big moments from Mason Lamacchia, the Raiders took down the Red Hawks for the first……

By Mukala Kabongo NEFJ Correspondent ANDOVER – It came down to fourth down, as Andover’s defense needed just one big stop to get the win on Friday night And they did just that, defeating Pinkerton,36-29, in a big interstate matchup. Leading by seven with 1:15 remaining, the Warriors aimed to stop a pesky Pinkerton team, whose offense came to life in the second half, completely in their tracks. The drive…

By Charlie Adams NEFJ Correspondent NORTH KINGSTOWN – A penalty turned a St. Raphael go-ahead touchdown into a Nick Stafford scoop-and-score just plays later, as North Kingstown won a fifth straight on Friday. Jordan Morgan’s troubles with the football started on St. Raphael’s first play from scrimmage, losing a handle on the opening handoff as Anthony Calore recovered for the Skippers. The North Kingstown defense never let the Saints get…

Image courtesy of @WCVB By Jared Keene NEFJ Correspondent SHREWSBURY – It’s no secret that St. John’s Prep has an abundance of offensive weapons, but Eagles coach Brian St. Pierre has all the confidence in the world in his team’s defense. On Friday night, Prep’s defense had plenty of eyes on it in the battle of St. John’s, which, understandably, garnered plenty of attention this week as the top game…

By Mike Sidhly NEFJ Correspondent MILTON – With worries about an impending storm, Friday night’s matchup between two Bay State Conference rivals was moved up. While that storm never came, Walpole quarterback Blake Pileski and receiver Shane Harrington provided enough thunder and lightning in the dominant victory. The Timberwolves scored three first-quarter touchdowns and the defense was stifling in a 21-0 shutout win over Milton. Pileski hit Harrington on two…

By Colby Shannon NEFJ Correspondent MANSFIELD – With the game on the line Friday night, Mansfield made the bold decision to go for two in the final moments rather than tying the game, which didn’t come as a big surprise to North Attleboro head coach Mike Strachan. “You don’t get to be a 5-0 team without taking a couple of risks,” Strachan said. Mansfield, who had not held the lead since…

By Michael Najarian NEFJ Correspondent WEST ROXBURY — After arriving at Catholic Memorial for his senior year of high school, there was a question of how quickly quarterback Kingston Rust would gel with star Knights receiver Ramar Thomas. Consider that question answered. Rust threw two TD passes to Thomas as part of a four-touchdown day, Thomas added a rushing score of his own, and Catholic Memorial doubled up Catholic Conference…