EASTHAMPTON — The Williston Northampton football team opened the 2017 season with a 28-14 win over the Kent School, Saturday.
The Wildcats’ offense was clicking with quarterback Matthew DeGennaro throwing the ball early and often. DeGennaro connected with receiver Braeden Heald for two touchdowns.
Williston coach Tom Beaton said that the two have been working on their chemistry since the start of preseason, and Heald even flew out from Des Moines, Iowa, to practice with DeGennaro.
“Braeden’s from Iowa and Matt’s from Jersey, and Braeden flew out for a week to just throw around with him and we’re excited about both this year,” Beaton said. “It’s not always easy for two new guys, a quarterback and a wide out to come in and have that connection.”
Heald seemed to be involved in every big play for the Wildcats and showed off his value on defense with one interception in the game.
Heald credited team chemistry for the win.
“It was awesome, it felt really good we’ve been building since September 1st as a team,” Heald said. “It was a short turnaround, but it was a good feeling to get out there and hit someone live.”
DeGennaro had high praise for Heald as well, but credited the whole receiving corps for the work they put in this summer and the team for the way they played.
“It definitely gave us a leg up on everyone because most prep schools around here don’t practice in the summer, so they don’t work on chemistry until the preseason,” DeGennaro said. “We have so many weapons.”
The Wildcats focused their offense around screen passes and running the ball up the middle. In the second quarter, running back Mason Balch broke off a 15-yard touchdown run to give the Wildcats their first lead of the game.
While the offense was clicking, the Kent offense struggled to move the ball in the second half. Starting quarterback Reef Edwards was injured and replaced by Christopher Guttman, who was able to make several good plays for the Lions (0-2), including a 33-yard touchdown run in the third quarter.
Beaton said stopping the run will be important next weekend when Williston plays Taft.
“There is certainly a lot to improve on; we need to do more to stop the run,” he said. “Taft is a great team, so we have to fix the mistakes we made here.”
Wildcats receiver Michael Polk left the game early with an injury. He did not return, but was on the sideline for the rest of the game.
Williston plays at Taft at 7 p.m. Saturday.