ATHOL — Easthampton learned a valuable lesson Friday night, which is to never take a winless team for granted.

Quarterback Nick Pellegrini hit Quintin Baker-Cisero with a 9-yard touchdown pass with 1 minute, 47 seconds remaining to lift the Eagles to a 20-17 victory over upset-minded Athol.

“It was tough out there, but we just had to fight through mental battles,” Pellegrini said.

Following a poor punt, Easthampton (3-1, 3-1 Intercounty North) got the ball on the Athol 30. After a 21-yard run by Ish Akanour brought the ball to the 9-yard line, Pellegrini came though in the clutch and hit Baker-Cisero for the winning touchdown.

“I saw him open down the middle and I knew I had to get the ball to him,” Pellegrini said. “I trust my receivers because I know they are going to be there if I throw them a good ball.”

Athol (0-4) dominated the game for most of three quarters, but Easthampton was resilient.

“We started out quite rough, because, quite honestly, we thought we were going to come out and hand it to this team,” Pellegrini said. “We got slapped in the face, but we were able to come back and preserver.”

A defensive stand late in the third quarter aided Athol’s upset bid. The Eagles, thanks in part to a 56-yard run by Akanour, marched to the 11, only to have a pass intercepted by Mason Barrieau in the end zone.

It was the Eagles third turnover of the game.

The first half was one Easthampton would rather forget. Ball control was key for the Red Raiders. They ran 32 plays to a mere 13 for the Eagles during the first 22 minutes.

Athol also forced two turnovers, including a fumble that Dylan Castine collected and ran 45 yards for a touchdown.

Athol ended the half with one of the longest field goals in school history, a 46-yarder by Christian Casillas as time expired with Athol up 17-6.

Athol held Easthampton to 36 yards of total offense in the half. The Red Raiders countered with 104.

Athol set the tone for the game with a lengthy first quarter drive. The Red Raiders took the opening kickoff and marched 87 yards in 15 plays, capped by a 6-yard touchdown run by Barrieau.

Easthampton used a 1-yard run by Pellegrini to cut the deficit to 8-6.

Easthampton inched closer in the third quarter after Pellegrini hit Baker-Cisero with a 30-yard touchdown pass. Pellegrini connected with Max Daviau on the 2-point conversion to cut Athol’s lead to 17-14.