WATERTOWN — Heavy rain slowed third-seeded Watertown’s potent passing attack, but it wasn’t enough to stifle the red-hot Raiders.
Powered by crucial defensive stands and a grinding rushing attack, the Raiders outscored No. 14 North Reading 15-0 in the second half, securing a 27-8 Division 5 first-round triumph.
“It was a battle throughout the whole game, but we just persevered,” said Watertown coach Joey Carroll after his team improved to 9-0.
Trailing 20-8 early in the fourth quarter, the Hornets (6-3) had a chance to get within a single score. But the Raiders — who allowed only 6.3 points per game in the regular season — held strong.
On second down, defensive end Peter Pavlidis blew up a run play for a tackle for loss. On the next play, Andy Riefstahl sacked quarterback Michael Corvino. William Werra then sacked him again to force a turnover on downs.
“At the biggest times during the game, we’re looking for that group to step up,” Carroll said. “We’re on their shoulders, and we’re going to go as far as they take us.”
Riefstahl finished with two sacks and a 2-yard rushing score, and Shane Garey prevented two scores, snaring a pair of red-zone interceptions and breaking up a pass.
Spearheading the Raiders’ rushing attack, Jayden Pineda ran for a score and caught a 49-yard pass from Coleman Keuchkarian-Mckeen.
Keuchkarian-Mckeen, who paces Division 5 with 16 passing touchdowns, snuck in for a 1-yard score and converted several short-yardage fourth downs.
As the clock hit zero, the Raiders sprinted to the end zone and slid head first across the soaked turf. Despite the wet conditions, they had committed zero turnovers.
“We didn’t have enough towels to keep the balls dry, but those guys held onto the rock,” Carroll said. “They carried us to this victory.”
Toby Moses can be reached at toby.moses@globe.com.