EASTHAMPTON — Mahar’s offense ran out of gas in the second half, and Easthampton’s shifted into gear.

The Senators’ football team squandered a 14-point lead in the final 14 minutes, 45 seconds, as the Eagles rallied for a 28-20 win at White Brook Middle School.

“A lotta young kids. We’re not a well-oiled machine yet,” Mahar coach Jim Woodward said. “Once we get there, we’ll be OK.”

Jon Gariepy put Mahar (0-2) ahead 20-6 with a 3-yard run with 3:45 left in the third quarter. He accounted for two of the Senators’ three touchdowns, also throwing a 20-yard strike to Charlie Barnes in the first quarter.

Gariepy finished with 51 yards on 20 carries and threw for 47 yards.

“He’s our go-to guy, but he’s only one guy,” Woodward said.

Mahar played without captain Lucas Seney, which hurt its ground attack. Barnes had three catches for 55 yards.

In between Gariepy’s touchdowns, fullback Joey Brazell imposed himself on the game. The senior ripped a 40-yard run to the 5-yard line in the second quarter after Easthampton (1-1) turned the ball over on downs. He rumbled in for a 5-yard touchdown and a 13-0 lead with 7:12 to halftime.

Brazell (64 yards) also blocked and recovered a punt early in the third quarter and returned it to Easthampton’s 6. Gariepy scored his second touchdown two plays later.

Easthampton started rolling in the fourth quarter.

Nick Pellegrini threw a 45-yard slant to Quentin Baker-Cisero 8 seconds into the final frame that cut the Eagles’ deficit to 6.

Mahar punted on the next possession, and Easthampton drove to the red zone despite fumbling and facing a second-and-40. Mahar sacked Pellegrini, he fumbled, then Brazell picked up the ball before fumbling himself, and it was recovered by Easthampton.

Baker-Cisero scored on a 15-yard pass from Pellegrini to tie the game at 20 with 2:51 left. Then Pellegrini eluded a sack and threw a strike to Damien Diluzio for the lead.

Mahar turned the ball over on downs on its next possession, and Jacob Neumann ran for a patient 25-yard touchdown two plays later. The Eagles missed the extra point that would have put the game out of reach, so the Senators pulse pumped with 1:21 left.

Gariepy returned the kickoff to Easthampton’s 46, giving Mahar even more life. But Ben Landry intercepted Aydan Sevigny to end the game.

The Senators host Athol at 7 p.m. Friday for their home opener.