Adam Bossinger's opportunities to score points may not be as limited as he thinks, playing defense for the Watertown Red and Black.

He scored a pair of third quarter touchdowns Saturday night.

The safety returned an interception 65 yards, and eight minutes later returned a fumble 18 as Watertown rode a near perfect defensive effort to a 41-0 Empire Football League victory over Massena at the Alex T. Duffy Fairgrounds.

Quarterback Brian Williams also rushed for two touchdowns, but the Red and Black made its boldest statements on the defensive side of the ball its regular-season opener, holding the Silver and Black to just 69 yards of total offense.

 

Dylan Kirker tallied 11 tackles, Mike Dumaw nine, and Dustin Houppert contributed eight stops as the defense forced six Massena turnovers. Anthony Tyrkala also notched a touchdown on an interception of Massena quarterback Ryan Mason, racing 30 yards two minutes before halftime.

"How's that for a swarming defense?" said head coach George Ashcraft, pointing out the fact that his four linebackers combined for 36 tackles. "This whole group is just so mobile and quick. If you get outside of them on the run, you're lucky."

Buddy Compeau rushed 11 yards early in the third for the Silver and Black's longest play from scrimmage. Mason completed two passes — both to Rob James — for 18 yards, but he also tossed four picks.

Head coach Jim Compeau saw hardly any of the same type of production that helped the Silver and Black (0-1) challenge defending champion Quebec in a preseason game.

"We beat ourselves. We gave up 20 points on defense," Jim Compeau said. "There was definitely a lot more confusion this game than in our first."

Any real chance of a Massena comeback was silenced as Bossinger shot down the sideline en route to his first career touchdown. He looked up and saw one Massena player between him and the preferred end zone destination.

"First off I couldn't believe the ball was right there. I had to make one move and then there was a lot of green in f ront of me," Bossinger said.

And he wasn't done there. Massena eventually fumbled again, attempting to punt, and Bossinger picked that up, too. Defensive coach Rich Potter said Bossinger doesn't usually rush the punter on such plays, but the coaches saw an opening they believed he could exploit.

"This is just one game. But it shows how we can play when we work, and stay strong together," Bossinger added.

Williams attempted just six passes, completing one. But Watertown's rushing attack was consistent enough so that it didn't matter. T.J. Williams led the way with 50 yards and a touchdown, while Brian Williams scooted for 30.

The Red and Black put six different ball carriers on display, running for a collective 178 yards on 41 carries.

Field position was key, too, as Watertown began six of its 10 offensive series in Massena territory, and never stood more than 56 yards away from the Silver and Black's end zone.

"Playing with the field cut in half like that really allows us to play to our strengths, and that's the run," Brian Williams said. "As long as we hit our spots, we won't have to go to the pass too much."

Wide receiver Nate Bryant also recognized how his teammates' defensive efforts translated to the offense.

"We can relax, and go with our flow," Bryant said. "In the opening drive we messed up a couple plays. But we were able to have faith that they'd get the ball right back for us."

■ NOTES: DLGreg Robersonrecovered a fumble, and had one interception. ..Todd Kiechlealso intercepted a pass. ... Watertown's next home game is Aug. 1 against Vermont. ... Ashcraft came through in his promise to allow longtime manager/ball boyMatt Melvinto dress for Saturday's game. He carried on a two-point conversion attempt in the first quarter, but was stopped at the one-yard line.