LEBANON -- Leading 14-0 at halftime, Friendship Christian exploded for 21 third quarter points en route to a 48-16 Region 4A victory over Watertown Thursday night at Pirtle Field.

The win vaults the Commanders to 7-1 (5-1) on the season while Watertown fell to 5-2 (4-1), halting a five-game Purple Tiger wining streak.

The Commanders started slowly as the Tigers stingy defense only allowed the FCS in the endzone twice in the first half of play.

The difference was in the defensive effort of the Commanders.

"We tackled better tonight and got some pressure on (Watertown QB Dalton) Phillips," FCS Head Coach John McNeal said.

FCS allowed Watertown only five first downs, four coming after intermission.

Commander quarterback Lee Maasen ran 16 times for 211 yards, running for two scores and passing for two more.

Tailback John Markham added two touchdowns, one on a 28 yard pass from Maasen and the other a 67-yard third quarter run. The senior rushed seven times for 82 yards.

Sophomore tailback Dekolas Reeves added two scores with runs of 12 and one yards and finished with 41 yards rushing.

Most of the offensive effort for FCS came in the second half of play as the Commanders looked a little flat early in the contest.

"We were not clicking in the first half. We made some good plays but we finally got our heads right in the third quarter," McNeal added.

Watertown QB Dalton Phillips completed 11-of-25 passes for 244 yards. Ben Smith caught two passes for 147 yards, both TDs — one going for 54 yards and the other 93.