HAVERHILL — Haverhill coach Tim O’Connor just wanted to weather the storm.

But it was Westford Academy that discovered, when it rains, it pours.

The Hillies scored touchdowns on their first two plays from scrimmage in the second half — runs from Jacob Dion and Pedro Santiago — to defeat the 16th-rankedGrey Ghosts, 20-9, in a torrential downpour at Trinity Stadium.

No. 11 Haverhill (2-1) emerged from the locker room for the second half with a 6-3 lead, but a fumble on the second-half kickoff gave Westford (2-1) great field position. Ben Antes ran it in from 3 yards out to give Westford a 9-6 lead.

That is when Haverhill turned it on. Moving almost exclusively to the Wing-T in the second half, O’Connor saw immediate returns.

After Jukka Morales returned a kick to Haverhill’s 48, Dion ran the first play 52 yards to give Haverhill a lead it would not relinquish.

On the ensuing kickoff, Anthony Jacobs fell on a Westford fumble. Santiago took the first play from scrimmage 39 yards for the game’s final score.

“We knew going in that we could be a more physical than them,’’ said O’Connor. “We went double tight, double wing. We’re a balanced team. I’m sure if it wasn’t raining it may have been different. But we saw an advantage and we took it.’’

Westford was able to hold Haverhill running back Jean-Charles Laguerre to 64 yards on 17 carries, but it was the Hillies’ senior depth that picked up the slack with Santiago and Dion.

“The running backs really stepped up tonight,’’ said Haverhill quarterback Broghean McGovern (5-for-7 passing, 67 yards), who did not throw a pass in the second half. “With the conditions we couldn’t really throw so we really needed them.’’

McGovern hit Aaron Brooks on a bubble screen for a 50-yard touchdown for the Hillies’ lone first half score.

“There are 22 seniors on this team and every week it is someone new,’’ said O’Connor. “Our motto is next man up. Pick your poison.’’

On defense, Haverhill was able to hold a potent Westford passing attack in check with some assistance from the rain.

Westford quarterback Connor Degenhardt was 18 for 43 for 204 yards. In the second half, Degenhardt was without top target Eric Jacobsen (four receptions, 41 yards), who left at halftime with an ankle injury. Jacobsen nailed a 30-yard field goal in the first quarter.

Santiago and Dion each intercepted Degenhardt passes in the red zone.

“This is a big win in the home opener for us,’’ said McGovern. “The boys are really happy about this one.’’

Michael McMahon can be reached at mcman92@gmail.com.