Waterford — They ran off the field Friday night hollering their record. Fancy that. At Waterford High School. The football players. Not always bearers of the school's most successful sport. But now it is 2016 and the Lancers are proud to tell anyone listening they are 2-0 this season.

And in first place in Division II of the Eastern Connecticut Conference.

"It feels great," coach John Strecker said Friday night, following a 21-12 win over rival Montville, a feel-good win in a feel-good season to date.

"It's the result of a lot of hard work," Strecker said.

The Lancers (2-0, 1-0) used the arms and legs of quarterback/punter/kicker Spencer Hoagland, a goal-line stand late in the first half and a defense that blanked the Indians in the second half.

Montville led 12-7 late in the first half and had the ball first and goal at the 7 in the final minute, following an interception. Luke Barrs and Kevin Grandieri made huge defensive plays for the Lancers, who went to halftime trailing ... but with some inspiration.

"One thing we've talked to the kids about is playing for four quarters," Strecker said. "No quit. They proved it to themselves on the effort they gave on that series."

Barrs' 39-yard touchdown run midway through the third period gave the Lancers the lead for good at 14-12.

Hoagland, who took several notable hits, scored on a 38-yard run in the fourth period, following an 11-yard touchdown run in the first. He finished with 110 yards rushing and 94 yards passing.

"He knows he's got to be good for a certain number of carries," Strecker said of Hoagland. "But after he takes some of those hits, I flinch a little bit. He's the kicker, punter and quarterback."

Montville took the 12-7 lead on Luke Hall's 50-yard touchdown pass to Bradley Johnson. Hall to Johnson connected eight times for 161 yards. Joe Satiro added 82 rushing yards for Montville (1-2, 0-1)  who hurt themselves with turnovers and four 15-yard penalties.

"Give Waterford credit," Montville coach Tanner Grove said. "They made fewer mistakes than we did. Our guys have to understand that we are so thin, we have to play perfectly to win. We can't make the kind of mistakes we did tonight."

Waterford, meanwhile, heads to Fitch next week to play old coach Mike Ellis. And to keep the season perfect.

"A little success is dangerous," Strecker said. "It's not going to be news to them if I say that a lot this week."

m.dimauro@theday.com