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Sports

Whalers Fall To Rams In Great Game

New Canaan's Dylan Leeming stopped New London's Kyle McKinnon inches short of the goal line on a two-point attempt with 1:45 remaining to keep the Rams' season alive.

The New Canaan football team escaped from New London on Tuesday with a thrilling 27-26 victory over the Whalers in the CIAC Class L quarterfinals.

New Canaan's Dylan Leeming stopped Kyle McKinnon inches short of the goal line on a two-point attempt with 1:45 remaining to keep the Rams' season alive.

McKinnon had scored on a 2-yard touchdown run to bring the Whalers (9-2) within 27-26. Instead of kicking the extra point and possibly going to overtime, New London went for the win.

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New Canaan (10-1) will face top seed Windsor (11-0), a 14-7 winner over No. 8 seed Notre Dame of West Haven, in the semifinals on Saturday at a site and time to be determined.

The Rams will be looking to advance to the state finals for the sixth consecutive year. Last year, Masuk ended New Canaan's four-year state title reign with a 50-20 victory.

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The Rams could see Masuk in the finals again as the third-seeded Panthers advanced with a 28-14 victory over No. 6 North Haven. No. 2 Hand rolled over No. 7 Coventry/Windham Tech 35-12 in Tuesday's other quarterfinal.

Masuk (11-0) and Hand (11-0) will square of in the other semifinal on Saturday. The final is set for the weekend of Dec. 9-10 at UConn's Rentschler Field in East Hartford.

Matt Milano had a rare off might for the Rams, passing for under 100 yards and one touchdown, but Kevin McDonough picked up the slack for New Canaan by rushing for 230 yards.

With New Canaan trailing 20-19, Milano scored on a 31-yard keeper. McDonough then added the two-point conversion run that turned out to be the difference in a back-and-forth affair.

After McKinnon, who rushed for 120 yards, gave New London on early lead on a 4-yard TD run,Milano's 5-yard TD toss to Peter Kraus put the Rams ahead, 7-6.

McDonough's 14-yard TD run and Collin Shapiro's 37-yard field goal extended the Rams' lead to 16-7.

After New London pulled withion 16-14 at the half on Jose Garcia's 41-yard TD reception, Shapiro booted a 28-yard field goal, giving the Rams a 19-14 lead entering the fourth quarter.

New London regained the lead, 20-19,on Key's 20-yard TD pass to Khaleed Fields with 6:43 remaining.

Milano responded by driving the Rams 90 yards. His keeper put the Rams back ahead for good with 4:19 to play.

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