Watertown high school football preview 2026: What you need to know about the Warriors.
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Master list: CT high school football previews for 2026
WATERTOWN
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[Vitals]
COACH - Shawn Stanco (sixth season, 25-29)
HOME FIELD - John J. Mills Complex, Watertown
PLAYOFF CLASS - SS
CONFERENCE - NVL
2025 RECORD - 1-9
RETURNING STARTERS (off/def) -5/5
TEAM SOCIAL MEDIA - Facebook:WHS Football
[They're Here]
Eric Hernandez, Sr., RB
Jose Rivera, Sr., RB
Aiden Doehr, Sr., WR
Alessandro LaMountain, Sr., C
Zachary Madigan, Sr., DL
Mason Zaskey, Jr., WR
Matteo Simoes, So., K
[Reason to Cheer]
Watertown returns many players who saw significant playing time and gained valuable experience in 2025.
[Reason to Fear]
The Warriors have two senior quarterbacks, but no matter who wins the job, he will be a first-time starter.
[The Bottom Line]
After a tough 1-9 season in 2025, Stanco expects this fall's team to compete every day in practice. That's because many returning players gained valuable minutes and repetitions last year.
"By competing for starting roles every day, our players will develop the competitiveness and resilience needed to perform at a high level on Friday nights and elevate the entire program," Stanco said in an email.
Two seniors, Xavier Gianni-Moreno and Joseph Nascimento, have been playing well at quarterback and will compete for the starting job. They are new to the position and will need to gain experience.
Seniors Eric Hernandez and Jose Rivera are joined by junior Charles Hassinger and sophomore Aiden Valentine in the backfield. At wide receiver, Watertown has seniors Jason Baker, Aiden Doehr, Aaden Hickey, Joseph Khouri and Sam Sejdarasi, along with junior Mason Zaskey.
The offensive line will be led by senior second-year starting center Alessandro LaMountain. He and junior Giovani Gonzalez will anchor the line.
Senior lineman Zachary Madigan can "cause havoc" on the defensive side of the ball, according to Stanco. Two-way linemen include senior Jaedyn Ellison, junior Emmanuel Guzman and junior Alexander McGrath.
On special teams, sophomore Matteo Simoes could be a big-time weapon.
"Strong leg and is kicking 40-plus yards with ease at the moment," Stanco said about Simoes. "New to the game so is still getting coached up a ton, but has a strong leg and is very coachable."
[Schedule]
Sept. 11 - DERBY, 7 p.m.*
Sept. 18 - at Simsbury, 6:30 p.m.@
Sept. 25 - at Holy Cross (Municipal Stadium), 6:30 p.m.*
Oct. 2 - at Woodland, 6:30 p.m.*
Oct. 9 - NONNEWAUG, 7 p.m.*
Oct. 23 - at Seymour, 7 p.m.*
Oct. 30 - GNH, 7 p.m.*
Nov. 5 - at Ansonia, 6 p.m.*
Nov. 13 - OXFORD, 7 p.m.*
Nov. 26 - TORRINGTON, 10:30 a.m.*
* Conference game
@ CT HS Alliance game
This article originally published at Watertown high school football preview 2026: What you need to know about the Warriors..