Raider Football Prepares for Playoffs

So for the first time in a long time Hunnewell Field will play host to an MIAA football playoff game as your Wellesley Raiders square off with the Braintree Wamps in the D2 South Quarterfinals Saturday afternoon. Coach Jesse Davis was kind enough to take some time to answer a few questions as his team prepares for their first post season berth since 2013. The Raiders finished their regular season 6-1 but will have to rebound after a heart breaking 14-7 loss to Milton last Saturday that denied the team its first Herget title since 1999. That being said Davis believes that if any team can put a loss like that behind them quickly, it’s this team, “We have done a good job each week this year staying focused on what is ahead of us and not looking back or too far ahead. Our players know what is at stake. We just need to concentrate on having good practices and getting better each day.” The Raiders will be taking on a Wamp squad that comes in after a 3-4 regular season and who despite being in the Bay State League the Raiders haven’t faced since 2012 due to the new scheduling and playoff format. “I think they are a good football team,” Davis said about his teams first round opponents, “They are well coached and they have tough players. Their offense is explosive and they fly to the ball on defense.” In terms of the d2 south bracket as a whole Wellesley is the number 2 seed in what is considered by many to be year in and year out the toughest bracket in the state. Davis offered his thoughts on this sectional as his Raiders get set for their 2nd appearance in sectional play in 3 years, “The division is extremely competitive and has some of the best programs in the state. When you are playing teams of that caliber week to week in the playoffs, you need to play mistake free football in all three parts of the game.” The Raiders and Wamps will kick off at 1 pm Saturday with the winner advancing to take on the winner of Friday night’s Needham-King Philip game