The Williston Wildcats made a gallant comeback to take home the win in their first varsity football game of the season.

This past Saturday, at Sawyer Field, the Wildcats hosted Kent School. The Wildcats got off to a slow start, with Kent up 14-3 at the half. Williston came out of the halftime break renewed, and went on to score the first three touchdowns of the second half.

Going into the fourth quarter, Kent had a slender, one point, 22-21 lead. The Wildcats would score the first two touchdowns of the fourth quarter, capping off five straight touchdowns, and pushing Williston out to a 35-22 lead.

With seven minutes left in the game, it looked all but over, until Kent was able to put together a good drive and scored a touchdown, putting them to within six points.

Within the last two minutes, Kent then pulled off a trick play that brought them within 25 yards of a touchdown.

Slot receiver Junior Laham said he was hoping Kent wouldn’t score off the trick play. “I was caught off guard by it, it was a very well executed play,” he said. “I was sort of just praying that either [sophomore] Dallas Elliot or [senior] Henri Bourque caught up to him.”

Eni Falayi, wide receiver and defensive end, said he thought Kent had won the game with the trick play. “I thought the game was over to be honest, but we had someone make a play.”

Eni was able to force a turnover on Kent’s final drive and help Williston take the victory.

The Willistonian spoke with Heni Bourque, quarterback, following the big win.

“I am feeling good,” he said. “It was a good team win; we were able to overcome adversity, dealing with it in the first half and coming back and winning the game.”

The Willistonian spoke with Coach Tommy Beaton prior to Saturday night’s game. He said he was excited for the first game of the season.

“This has been a long time coming,” Beaton said. “All the weight lifting and running, just for eight games — we’re excited to play the first one.”

According to Beaton, Kent had some players to watch out for on their squad.

“Their running back and fullback are very good … their lineman are huge, all are over 270 pounds,” Beaton said. “They are physical and they are gonna play smash mouth football.”

Prior to the game, all the students partook in a pep rally, and made their way from the athletic center to the bleachers, many covered in face paint, to support the team. Beaton believed the crowd intensity would play a role Saturday night, and it appears it did.