DEERFIELD — The Williston Northampton football team came to play in its season opener against Deerfield Academy on Saturday. 

After falling to the Big Green last fall, the Wildcats came out with a different focus this time around, punching it into the end zone on their first three drives of the game while Lucas Guay added a pick six to end the first quarter, helping Williston build a 27-7 lead at the half. 

Deerfield got its offense going in the fourth, scoring a pair of touchdowns, but it came too late, as the Wildcats walked away with a 34-21 victory at Jim Smith Field. 

“The guys up front did a great job,” Williston head coach Thomas Beaton said. “They were doing the right thing, they were physical and they were getting movement. That’s the biggest thing. We have a great group on offense and we have a lot of different running backs we can use to keep those guys fresh. 

“That’s as well-coached of a team as we’ll go against this year,” Beaton added of DA. “I have the upmost respect for [head coach] Brian Barbato, Ray Di. They’re great people and great coaches. I’ve always loved and respected this program.” 

Without its starting running back, the Big Green were unable to get much going on the ground. 

That allowed Williston to attack the passing attack, which limited Deerfield quarterback Cole Geer — who’s committed to play at Virginia — to 7-for-15 through the air and just 57 yards passing. 

“It was frustrating where we got off track a couple times,” Barbato said. “Self-inflicted wounds, penalties. You can’t have that type of stuff if you’re going to win in this league and they’re the kind of team that keeps the pedal to the metal. When you fall behind against a team like that, you’re going to be up against it.

“Our [postgraduate] running back hasn’t been able to go,” Barbato added. “Running back by committee, as you see in the NFL, isn’t always the dream you think it is. We’re working on it and it’s a next man up mentality. Until we have that continuity, we have our strong safety and our Mike linebacker playing running back.” 

Beaton credited his secondary for making life difficult for the Deerfield offense. 

“The offensive skill group they have is as good as any in the league,” Beaton said. “The biggest thing is our secondary did a good job. Really proud of those guys.” 

Williston got the ball to open the game and went on a nine-play drive capped off by a 6-yard touchdown pass from Davian McDonald to Brooks Connors, with Joseph Killcommons’ extra point giving the Wildcats a 7-0 lead with 8:31 to go in the first. 

Following a Deerfield punt, Williston got the ball back. Facing a third-and-12 from the Deerfield 29, McDonald scrambled to his left and found Ryan Commoss wide open for a 29-yard score. The extra point was blocked, but the Wildcats still led, 13-0, with 2:38 to go in the first. 

The Big Green drove into Williston territory but facing a third-and-9, Geer threw over the middle and it was picked off by Guay. He used his speed to return it 70 yards for six on the final play of the quarter. Following a missed two point try, the Wildcats led 19-0. 

The Deerfield offense responded with a touchdown drive of its own. 

DA went on an eight-play drive that ended with Liam Appleton powering in off the right side from 6 yards out. Nick Gold’s extra point cut the lead to 19-7 with 7:25 to go in the half. 

Williston came right back with a touchdown drive of its own. A big run 28-yard run by Amherst’s Jameson Dion sparked the Wildcats and later in the drive, Nathanial Ellis ran it in from 6 yards out. Dion added the two-point try to extend Williston’s lead to 27-7 with 2:10 to go in the half. 

Following a scoreless third quarter, the Wildcats were able to put the final blow to the Big Green on the second play of the fourth quarter. 

At the DA 32, McDonald dropped back and lofted a perfectly placed pass to Troy Worrell at the left pylon, with the extra point making it a 34-7 game with 11:47 to play. 

Appleton made a great cut n DA’s next possession to score from 29 yards out with 9:14 to play that cut the lead to 34-14.

After Williston drove into the red zone, the Big Green forced a fumble to get the ball back with just over seven minutes to play but the Wildcat defense stood up and forced a punt. 

Appleton added his second touchdown of the game, a 40-yard score with 1:51 to go, but Williston recovered the onside kick and ran the clock out. 

McDonald finished with 170 yards through the air while Dion carried it for 55 yards for the Wildcats. 

“Davian is as good as it gets,” Beaton said. “He’s a hell of a competitor and we’re lucky he’s on our team.” 

While it wasn’t the way the Big Green hoped to open the season, Barbato said he feels confident in his group and that they will get things back on track. 

“The heart of the Deerfield player and program is what it’s built on,” Barbato said. “We came out and competed in the second half. The type of kids we have, they’ll get better. We’re missing a couple of puzzle pieces right now. When those come together, we can beat anybody. But, we have to get it right now.”