SOUTHBURY -- Pomperaug High senior Dan DeGeorge booted a 24-yard field goal in the third overtime, propelling the Panthers to a dramatic 34-31
South-West Conference victory over previously unbeaten Stratford Friday night and keeping alive its post-season hopes.

"It was a great win," Pomperaug coach Chuck Drury said. "It was a hard-fought game wire to wire."

After playing to a 17-17 stalemate in regulation, both teams scored touchdowns during the first two overtimes.

Pomperaug (6-1) then held the Red Devils (6-1) on downs with the help of a bad pitchout on first down that lost 12 yards. On fourth-and-goal from
the 8, an incomplete pass gave the hosts a chance to win.

DeGeorge capitalized, converting his second field goal of the night on fourth-and-goal from the 5. He had none coming into the contest.

"It's amazing," DeGeorge said of his first game-winning kick. "It's a dream come true. You can't ask for a better way to end a game."

DeGeorge noted it was a team effort and he was correct. There were numerous heroes along the way.

Receiver Pat Reagan leaped between two defenders in the end zone to catch a 10-yard touchdown pass from Steve Sheppard in the
second overtime. DeGeorge's extra point forced the third overtime.

"That last touchdown that they had, the kid made a heck of a play. We had a chance to make a play
on that pass," Stratford coach Duane Shirden said.

"That was huge," Drury said.

The Pomperaug defense held the Red Devils to 10 points in regulation. A key factor was its
offense, which maintained possession for much of the first half.

At halftime, Pomperaug had run 37 plays for 241 yards and 10 first downs while the Red
Devils had only 15 plays for 20 yards and one first down.

The Panthers led 14-7 at intermission.

Tim Miller gave them a 7-0 lead, scoring on an 8-yard run on the third play of the game after he returned the opening kickoff
69 yards to the Stratford 23. He then suffered a shoulder injury late in the opening quarter and did not return.

Five minutes later, Stratford drew even when Delroy Morris scooped up a fumble and raced 65 yards for a touchdown.

Mike Leonetti's 5-yard run put Pomperaug ahead 14-7 with five seconds left in the first quarter.

The Panthers squandered a chance to seize a 21-7 lead, moving to the Stratford 8 and failing to score on four running
plays as Stratford made an inspired defensive stand in the final minute of the first half.

Stratford took the second-half kickoff and tied the game at 14-14 on Torrey Mack's 21-yard touchdown scamper.

Pomperaug answered immediately, regaining the lead, 17-14, on DeGeorge's 27-yard field goal.

DeGeorge then attempted a potential game-winner from 38 yards but it was blocked by Mack with 1:11 left in the fourth period.

Leonetti (25 carries, 137 yards) and C.J. Elser (13 carries, 99 yards) led the Panthers' ground game.
Leonetti's 10-yard scoring run in the first overtime kept game going.

Mack finished with only 46 yards on 12 carries against what Shirden said was the best defense his team has faced this season.

FIRST QUARTER

P -- Tim Miller 8 run (Dan DeGeorge kick), 10:02

S -- Delroy Morris 65 fumble return (Jack Hartman kick), 5:45

P -- Mike Leonetti 1 run (DeGeorge kick), :05

THIRD QUARTER

S -- Torrey Mack 21 run (Hartman kick), 7:55

P -- DeGeorge 27 field goal, 3:14

FOURTH QUARTER

S -- Hartman 29 field goal, 7:55

FIRST OVERTIME

S -- Mack 5 pass from Justin Shumyhora (Hartman kick)

P -- Leonetti 10 run (DeGeorge kick)

SECOND OVERTIME

S -- Octavious McKoy 4 run (Hartman kick)

P -- Pat Reagan 10 pass from Steve Sheppard (DeGeorge kick)

THIRD OVERTIME

P -- DeGeorge 24 field goal