NATICK – For the first time since 2014, Needham has won at Memorial Field in Natick.

Through all three phases, the Rockets pushed back through adversity to come out on top over the Redhawks, 20-7.

“It’s awesome,” said Needham coach Doug Kopcso about getting the win over Bay State Conference rival Natick. “(Coach Mark) Mortarelli does an amazing job with his program. … They have some great kids, so it means a lot to us.”

After Needham and Natick traded three-and-outs and turnovers to start the contest, the Rockets forced a fumble recovered by senior JC Andrade. Two plays later, senior Stephen Rocamboli rushed it in from 17 yards out to give Needham the lead at 7-0 with 5:40 left in the first half.

“This year, (Rocamboli) is kind of coming into his own,” Kopcso said. “He’s been a phenomenal player for us. He’s great on offense. He’s a great running back and he’s a great corner. He plays like he’s six feet, but he’s a smaller guy.”

Rocamboli was not done as he added a 30-yard pick-six only a minute later to extend the lead for the Rockets to 14-0.

“We swarm,” Kopcso said about the ability for the defense to score. “This year, it is about scoring. Like, we can’t just let the offense or special teams take on that burden. We really have to make sure that we’re trying to put the ball in the end zone.”

Needham (2-0) nearly went up three scores at the end of the half after a short punt for Natick, but senior captain Sam Hubbard intercepted the ball in the end zone as the clock hit triple zeroes.

In the fourth, Natick (1-1) finally got on the board thanks to a long drive after an eight-play, 82-yard drive that was capped by a 19-yard pass from junior Jesse Gagliardi to senior James Perrier. It cut the deficit to 14-7 with 2:08 left.

After Needham recovered the onside kick, three plays later, senior Aidan Williams made it 20-6 with a 48-yard run into the end zone.

“(This team) when they get punched in the mouth, they react the right way,” Kopcso said about the late touchdown run. “They don’t really care what happened. They’re looking at the next play.”

On the ensuing drive for the Redhawks, senior Ben Schreiber intercepted the ball to seal the contest with less than a minute left.

“It’s awesome because most of the time they can’t even throw the ball before our defensive line gets a sack,” Rocamboli said about the defensive effort through two games. “It’s just great to be out here and the environment is awesome with all the energy.”

Next Friday, Needham will head to Lincoln-Sudbury for a 7 p.m. kickoff while Natick will head to Walpole at 5:45 p.m.