WATERTOWN INDIANS FOOTBALL

WATERTOWN — Woody Hayes would have been proud. And Bo Schembechler, Bill Parcells and all the other coaches who have equated the ground game with the ultimate ecstasy over the years.

Watertown took a page out of the "three yards and a cloud of dust" philosophy Thanksgiving morning with only one minor alteration, a chunk of mud replacing the dust.

The Indians ran the ball and then ran it some more, rolling up 335 yards en route to a convincing 33-22 win over Torrington in near balmy conditions at the John Mills Athletic Complex.

"We wanted to work together as a team and drive the ball and keep possession. We wanted to do what we do," said Watertown running back Dan Mabry. "We entered the game and just wanted to pound the ball, and I think we were in control throughout."

Mabry led the way for the Indians (3-7), bulling his way for 127 yards and two touchdowns on 21 carries. However, this was grind it out by committee, and hardly a one-man show.

Anton Galaganov rolled up 80 yards, Frank Danay 77 and Mike Lopes 48 as Watertown seized control of the line of scrimmage in the second quarter behind its offensive line of Eric Campbell, Matt Woodruff, Matt Sheeks, Tony LoRusso and Tom Beliveau.

It wasn't spectacular just punishing, monotonous and effective. At times the Red Raiders (1-9) must have wondered if they would see the ball again. With the score tied, 6-6, the Indians pounded out a 17-play, 76-yard, six minute second quarter drive capped off by quarterback Mike Lopes' 10-yard run for a lead that would never be relinquished.

There was a 12-play, 67-yard march in the second half that ended up with Mabry scoring from five yards out. There was a 12-play drive in the first half that died on the Torrington six-yard line.

In the first half, Torrington managed to get off just 15 plays

as Watertown just hammered away again and again.

"You always have a game plan and it doesn't always work, but we just wanted to keep the ball in our hands and out of theirs," said Watertown coach Roger Ouellette. "We did that, especially in the first half. We had some fourth and five, fourth and three situations that we converted. All three backs and the line did a heck of a job."

Torrington may have also paid for playing a Watertown team that was licking its chops to right a ship that had no smooth sailing during the season.

"A lot of frustration was let loose today," said Ouellette. "We never had any consistency throughout the year. We had to stay healthy and we didn't. You have different kids in different positions and you lose games. It has been frustrating."

After scoring on its first possession with a 60-yard drive capped off by freshman Zack Schebell's 16-yard scamper around the left end, Torrington saw the hammer come down in the form of Watertown's offense.

"(Watertown's) offensive line dominated around the second quarter," said Torrington coach Todd Thompson. "They were pushing off the line two or three yards. And they made big plays on offense. Congratulations to them."

The Indians took control of the game in the second quarter, and then won it in the third quarter. After recovering a fumble on the opening kickoff, the Indians drove 25 yards with Galaganov going in from five yards out for a 19-6 lead.

The next possession was the clock-eating 12-play drive with Mabry going in from five yards out and Danay running in the conversion for a 27-6 lead.

Torrington showed some chutzpah late in the game, scoring twice in the last seven minutes. Quarterback Chris DeBerry hit Sam Antwi for a 20-yard score, and followed it up with a four-yard strike to Dwayne White.

"At the end we told the kids, lets do what we know how to do," said Thompson. "We're not going to get five touchdowns, but let's leave the game proud, and we did."