The Watertown Red and Black actually didn't have too bad a game Saturday night. The team limited the Quebec's powerful air attack, and even reeled off a few big, downfield plays of its own.

Pretty much everything went according to plan. Except the final outcome.

The Titans took advantage of Denis Houle's 112 yards rushing, along with his pair of 5-yard scoring runs, to claim a 17-9 Empire Football League victory over the host Red and Black at the Alex T. Duffy Fairgrounds.

The result left Watertown's postseason hopes even dimmer, as it dropped to 1-5 heading into the league-wide bye week for Labor Day weekend.

"The defense played a great game, and we held them down in scoring. We probably should have put more points on the board ourselves," head coach George Ashcraft said. "But that's part of the game. Good things are starting to come out of this. Even if we're not getting the wins yet."

A re-energized offense gave the Red and Black an opportunity to notch the much-needed upset. Quarterback Anthony Noel went 4-for-15, but his completions totaled 100 yards, and Watertown eclipsed 100 yards rushing again.

Lester Cole hauled in his first regular-season touchdown — a 50-yard strike from Noel — midway through the first, and Watertown received another jolt of energy moments later.

Ben Pritchard intercepted Kevin Wyeth's attempt at a shovel pass on Quebec's next play from scrimmage, and returned it to the Titan 19. Manny Munoz buried a 32-yard field goal three plays later, giving the Red and Black a 9-3 edge. But the home team didn't score again.

"People have to understand there are a lot of rookies here," Cole said. "For us to stay in this game all the way through the fourth quarter is an outstanding job."

Wyeth, who in July tossed three touchdowns against the Red and Black, didn't find the end zone Saturday and was intercepted four times. He kept throwing the ball in Brian Williams's direction, and Williams picked it off three times, raising his league-best total to eight. He also broke up two passes, both intended for the Titans' No. 1 receiver Marvin Joseph, in the end zone.

Watertown was unable to convert those momentum shifts into points, however.

Twice during the final quarter, powered by the running of Joe Brennan (18-99), Watertown drove inside the red zone only to come up short.

Quebec made more of its opportunities, as it orchestrated a nine-play, 85-yard series to set up the clinching score.

More importantly for Quebec (6-1), and disheartening for the Red and Black, it overcame two holding penalties on the drive. Both flags negated long runs by Houle, but he still managed to find the goal line 7 minutes, 7 seconds after his team took possession. The Titans attempted only five second half passes.

"We got into a bad habit a little of overpursuing the ball, especially at linebacker," Brady Nix said. "We were trying to cut back on their runs and make arm tackles instead of getting in close and wrapping up.

"That's been the story of our season. We'll stuff somebody again and again, and they'll break a big run or pass, and score off it."

Dustin Houppert registered six tackles, while Quatrell Walker and Adam Bossinger each turned in five to help lead the defense.

"We didn't play that well on offense, with the four interceptions. But George's teams are tough," Titans' head coach John Mouland said. "You're going to have ups and downs. I've been there. Believe me."

Watertown plays again Sept. 6 at Ottawa.

OTTAWA 20, MASSENA 2

The Deacon Demons' Ryan Corbit scored on a 10-yard run in the first quarter, and that was all the scoring Ottawa needed as it defeated the winless Silver and Black in an Empire Football League game in Potsdam.

Jason Hudson caught a touchdown pass for Ottawa (2-3), which has recorded both of its wins over Massena.

Mike Weller recorded a safety for Massena (0-5).

TROY 34, ST. LAWRENCE VALLEY 0

The Fighting Irish used a 22-point outburst in the second quarter to overtake the Trailblazers in a Northeastern Football Alliance game in Troy.

Justin Kastner recorded touchdown passes of 50, 70 and 42 yards in the second quarter to lead Troy's offense. Flip Tarver had two touchdown receptions for Troy (3-3).

St. Lawrence Valley fell to 1-4 on the season.