HERTFORD — The exact time the momentum shifted was 3:14 in the third quarter.

That's when the First Flight defense pushed Perquimans running back Jamel Warren over the Pirates' goal line

for a safety, tying the game at 14.

The Nighthawks used the play to rally the troops to a 24-14 win in the gridiron season opener in Hertford on Friday night.

A Perquimans fumble on a punt on the 6-yard line set up the Nighthawks' first score. Trey Luke took it in from the 2, but the kick was no good.

The Pirates rebounded quickly, recovering an onside kick at their own 46, then hitting paydirt when running back Jamel Warren found a seam for a 35-yard touchdown.

The kick was good, and the Pirates held a 7-6 lead at the half.

The teams traded touchdowns in the third quarter, with Nick Hamm striking for First Flight and Warren adding his second for Perquimans.

After the safety, First Flight scored on its next possession when quarterback J.J. Allen went over from the 2.

Later, Luke McDonald booted a field goal from the Perquimans 21 to seal the victory.

Perquimans had a chance for a final touchdown, marching 75 yards to the First Flight 2, but Ryan Mead's interception in the end zone shut the door.

Warren ground out 194 yards on 16 carries for the Pirates, accounting for over half of Perquimans' 334 yards of offense.

For First Flight, Hamm was the workhorse with 113 of the Nighthawks' 128 rushing yards. The team's aerial attack accounted for 144 yards.

Perquimans travels to Northampton-East next Friday night.