BCAT News

Red Devil Football headed to Victory Field on Friday, October 1 to face the Watertown Red Raiders in the first Middlesex Freedom Division game of the season. 

In the first quarter, the Red Raiders began with possession of the ball at their own twenty five yard line. After seven plays on the drive, Watertown punted it away. It was a slow start for Burlington in their first drive, as they were unable to get a first down. This resulted in the Red Devils punting it away back to their opponent. Later on in the quarter, Watertown was nearing the end zone at Burlington’s twenty one yard line. Red Raiders Quarterback Johnny Cacace threw an interception to Burlington Cornerback Brady McGonagle. At the end of one it was tied at 0-0.

To start the second quarter the Red Devils began the drive on their own twenty yard line. Quarterback Ronan Noke ran it himself to get the Devils to the thirty-two yard line. The next two plays on the drive were runs by Noke and Runningback Adam Eldeeb. On a third and two, the Red Devils fumbled the ball at Watertown’s thirty yard line and the Red Raiders recovered it. During a third and twelve attempt on the drive Cacace threw his second interception of the night, this time to Burlington Corner John Hoffman. 

The Red Devils did not make much progress getting the ball down the field, as they went three and out on the drive. Burlington and Watertown did not finish the first half of the game with points on the board. At halftime it was still 0-0. 

Burlington began the third quarter at their own fifteen yard line. During a second and ten on the drive Noke threw a pass to his brother and wide receiver Aidan Noke. The drive lasted for another four plays which resulted in the Red Devils punting at the thirty-five yard line. Watertown started from their own forty yard line. On a second and seven Defensive Tackle Anthony Elkins of Burlington sacked Cacace bringing the Watertown offense back to a third and twenty on their their own thirty yard line. A personal foul penalty on Watertown pushed them back to the twenty five yard line and they were facing  a long  conversion of third and twenty five.  This resulted in another fourth down punt for Watertown. 

The Red Devils began the next drive on the thirty three yard line. Noke made a pass to wide receiver Sammy Doherty who gained five yards on the play. Three plays later it was second and goal from the Watertown’s three yard line. Noke ran for a four yard touchdown run to put the Devils on the board 6-0. The extra point made the score 7-0. On Watertown’s next drive they went three and out, however on the four and six play the Red Devils ran into the punter and got called for a penalty giving the Red Raiders a first down. Watertown Cacace handed it off to wide receiver Billy McHugh who ran it down the field for a forty seven yard touchdown run. 7-6. The extra point was good and it was tied up at the end of the third at seven a piece. 

As the fourth quarter began, Burlington had a chance to take the lead. On a fourth and five at the fourteen yard line, the Devils took a chance and went for it and made the conversion for a first and goal. Noke kept it himself for a one yard run. On second down, Burlington was called for a holding penalty which brought them back to the eighteen yard line. The next three plays resulted in incompletions by Noke and the Devils turned the ball over on downs. 

Watertown’s next possession started from their own eighteen yard line. During the extensive drive, Running Back Mason Andrade gave the Red Raiders the lead after a touchdown run. 14-7 was the score after the extra point attempt. It was the Red Devils last chance, as they began the drive at the thirty six yard line. First play of the drive resulted in a fumble but luckily Burlington recovered it. The next three plays were incompletions by Noke. The Red Devils turned the ball over on downs and the Red Raiders ended the game with a knee. 

The final in the game was 14-7 Watertown. Burlington drops to (0-4) on the season and will face the Wakefield Warriors on Friday, October 8 at the BHS Varsity Field.