SOUTH DEERFIELD — The Frontier Regional football team capitalized on two special teams mistakes to defeat Easthampton, 24-22, in an Intercounty League North matchup, Friday.

“It was a dogfight,” Red Hawks quarterback Garrett DeForest said. “It doesn’t get much better than that. It’s going head-to-head with a good team and we came out on top. We had some big mistakes, but in the end, it’s those small plays that bring it together and I think that’s what won it for us.”

Trailing 16-14 with 6 minutes, 21 seconds to play, the Eagles went to punt from their 25 when DeForest and Andrew Logan burst through the line and got their hands on the ball.

Frontier recovered at the Easthampton 20, and four plays later, DeForest ran in a bootleg from 3 yards out. Ito McMillan ran in the two-point conversion to make it a two-score game with 5:06 to play.

The Eagles weren’t about to give up, though.

Speedster Marcus O’Meally took the following kickoff to the Red Hawk 35, and on the next play, Liam Burke found Bennett Kelly on a crossing route, and he proceeded to break a pair of tackles on his way into the end zone. Burke found Jacob Neumann for the two-point conversion as Easthampton pulled within 24-22 with 4:44 remaining.

The Red Hawks recovered the ensuing onside kick, but were stopped on downs with 1:32 to go, giving Easthampton an opportunity to drive for the win. However, the Frontier pass defense blanketed the Eagle receivers, and a drop by Alex Tilton on fourth down ended the game.

“Even when you win ugly, it’s a win,” Red Hawks coach Don Gordon said. “We uncharacteristically made too many mistakes.”

Frontier opened the scoring in the first quarter with a 2-yard run from fullback Alec Kirkendall, and DeForest ran in the two-point conversion.

Easthampton answered on the next drive with a 16-yard touchdown run by Kelly, but the two-point conversion fell short.

The Eagles lost starting quarterback Fred Murray on the first drive, as he took a hard shot from DeForest and was forced out of the game. The play was whistled for a personal foul for leading with the helmet. Burke replaced Murray.

“They’re two different players,” Easthampton coach Matt Bean said. “It did change what we were going to do. That being said, we should have been alright.”

The Red Hawks held an 8-6 lead at the half, and forced a three-and-out on the first Eagle drive.

Nathan Logan went to punt for Easthampton, but the ball went directly into the line, giving Frontier the ball in the red zone. Kirkendall then ran up the gut for a 10-yard score.

Josh Semaski ran in the two-point conversion to put the Red Hawks up 10.

“Every year we play them like this,” Bean said. “They knew what we were going to do, we knew what they were going to do. Those two special teams plays killed us.”

Special teams weren’t just an issue for the Eagles, as a high snap went over Frontier punter Dylan Apanell’s head, setting Easthampton up at the Red Hawks’ 5-yard line.

Two plays later, Kelly ran it in and Neumann converted the two-point attempt to cut the Frontier lead to 16-14.

The Red Hawks defense was able to limit the two-headed running attack of O’Meally and Neumann.

O’Meally had 85 yards rushing on eight carries, including one carry for 65 yards in the first quarter. Neumann had eight carries for 20 yards.

“We were watching a bunch of film all week,” DeForest said. “We knew where they were motioning, we knew where they were going. The guards and tackles were pulling all night. As a middle backer and outside backer, we saw the play develop and it made it easier for us. That study session got us ready.”

McMillan led Frontier with 14 carries for 131 yards. Kirkendall had eight carries for 29 yards and a pair of scores.