Senior QB Shamik Desai completed 12-of-25 passes for 202 yards in his first varsity start.

The fourth-year coach also didn’t expect his running game to be completely nullified but it was in a 22-13 loss to Enfield in a Nutmeg Conference contest under the lights.

The senior-laden Raiders sacked Desai six times, allowed Farmington minus 39 yards rushing and blocked two punts. The Enfield defense was anchored by 6-foot-7, 275-pound tackle Jack Griffin, who has already accepted a full scholarship to play at Maryland next fall.

"They were a very good team," Bemis said. "They were getting penetration (into our backfield) and we can’t do too much if they penetrate like that. We have two sophomores in the guard slot and they ate them alive."

"We had only one scrimmage," he added. "We’ll get better as the line gets some more experience. It will take a little time."

While the Indians struggled to run the ball, Desai was able to complete some long throws to Martin Jones, who pulled in five passes for 142 yards including catches of 45, 35 and 30 yards. That is the highest single-game receiving effort in the last nine years for Farmington.

Jermaine Baskerville and Anthony Aniello also pulled in 19-yard receptions.

Enfield used a pair of blocked punts by Kauffman to grab an early 14-0 lead in the first quarter. Raider coach Jay Gaucher noticed how the Indians lined up on special teams in last year’s films so he decided to overload the right side of the line. Twice, Kauffman broke through unblocked to block the punt by Dan Ray. The first time, Kauffman knocked the punt into the air and rambled 12 yards for the game’s first score with 2:57 left in the first quarter.

Farmington got the ball back, had one pass batted down and gained only three yards. Forced to punt, Kauffman again broke through on the right side, blocked Ray’s punt into the air and ran 19 yards for his second TD with 1:38 left in the quarter. Nate Mathewson’s second extra point made it 14-0.

"I was just seeing the ball," Kauffman said. "That is what the game is about - seeing the ball."

Farmington was able to move the ball through the air in the second quarter. Desai completed back-to-back passes to Martin of 35 and 21 yards, respectively, to drive the Indians to the Enfield 15-yard line. After a seven-yard completion to Sean Garvey and an Enfield penalty, Farmington had first and goal on the four-yard line.

But an incomplete pass, back-to-back sacks and delay of game penalty pushed the Indians back to the 26 yard line. But Garvey put the Indians on the board with a strong 42-yard field goal.

Enfield extended its lead to 22-3 early in the fourth quarter on a seven-yard run by Jesse Marrow and a two-point conversion run by Kauffman, who ended up scoring 14 points.

Farmington cut the lead to 22-10 when Jermaine Baskerville ran back a 28-yard interception return with 6:33 left in the game.

Farmington didn’t get the ball back until there was 1:38 left. Garvey hit a 41-yard field goal at the buzzer for the final 22-13 margin.

"We have 12 seniors on our defense," said Gaucher, Enfield’s fourth-year coach. "We know we will rely on it as the offense goes through the early-season bumps. (Griffin) is a difference maker and we have a bunch of players around him that make plays."

Griffin had one of the six sacks.

GRID DUST: Enfield has won eight of 14 games between the two schools since 1985. ..Since 1950, Farmington is 20-33-1 on opening day. ..The highest passing performance in the last nine years was Brad Percival who passed for 231 yards and 5 TDs against Crosby in the season-opener in 1997. ..Martin’s 142-yard performance is the highest since Steve Seymour caught four passes for 118 yards against Berlin in 1998.