EASTHAMPTON — The Easthampton football team’s rally fell short in a 14-12 season-opening loss to Ware, Friday night.

The Eagles trailed 14-0, but they came back behind two Colin Hogan touchdown passes to Trevor Canon-Smith and a defense that held the Indians scoreless in the second half.

“I was very impressed by my team,” Easthampton coach Kyle Dragon said. “Ware is always a tough team to play and I’m very proud of the way they played tonight.”

Easthampton had a chance to tie the game with less than five minutes remaining. Hogan found Canon-Smith for receptions of 22 and 27 yards on a drive to the red zone. Following a 5-yard scoring strike, Ware double-teamed Canon-Smith on a fade route to the corner. The conversion attempt was knocked away.

“It was disappointing,” Hogan said. “We got to be able to punch it in. We came up short.”

Hogan’s connection with Canon-Smith was evident. The quarterback finished 6-of-8 passing for 118 yards and one interception. All his passes went to Canon-Smith.

“My only look was to Trevor,” Hogan said.

Added Canon-Smith, “As long as Colin is throwing me the ball, I’m feeling good.”

Lineman Travis Carpenter gave the Eagles a boost with a tone-setting sack. The Indians (1-0) were driving early in the second half behind running back Jadrien Berthiaume (16 carries, 123 yards). Facing second-and-10 at Easthampton’s 28-yard line, Carpenter dropped QB Brady Dyer for a 10-yard loss.

“It was a momentum shift,” Hogan said. “Our team was pumped. It was electric out there.”

Ware took a 14-0 lead on its next series, but the defense tightened. On three consecutive series to start the second half, Eagles safety Luis Salgado intercepted Dyer, Ware went three-and-out and Dylan Mcginn-Stevens recovered a fumble.

“I always talk about being resilient,” Dragon said. “We really were in the second half. It was the resiliency of the kids and that’s something to build on. They came back and fought hard.”

Easthampton cut into the deficit just before halftime. With under a minute left, Hogan rushed for 20 yards, hit Canon-Smith deep in a 1-on-1 situation for 19 yards, then found his wideout again on the seam for a 20-yard touchdown. The conversion attempt failed as the Eagles trailed 14-6 at halftime.

The Eagles struggled to run the ball against Ware’s sizable line. Vynce Carr led Easthampton with 27 yards on six carries. His 9-yard run following an Eagles false start set them up in a manageable second-and-6 from the Ware 29 on the fourth quarter scoring drive. Two plays later Hogan found Canon-Smith for 27 yards.

Easthampton next plays at Monument Mountain on Friday.

“We have to have a great building week and come back stronger,” Canon-Smith said.