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WILKES-BARRE — Holy Redeemer made it interesting.

The clock just wasn’t on its side.

Columbia-Montour Vo-Tech built a 38-20 lead with 2:52 left in the game before the Royals rallied.

Cameron Brennan found JD Turosky for two late long-distance touchdowns to cut the advantage down to 38-33 with 33 seconds left. The Royals, which recovered an onside kick earlier in the fourth, couldn’t pick up the second one it needed as the Rams left Wilkes-Barre Memorial Stadium with a 38-33 victory in a game that lasted nearly three hours.

Three hours, nearly 18 penalties for more than 100 yards and an almost-unbelievable finish.

No doubt, the fans got value for their dollar.

In a back-and-forth game, CMVT took a 24-20 lead into the fourth quarter and seemingly put it away with 2:52 left.

An 89-yard pass from Trent Longenberger to John Binder, plus a two-point conversion, gave Vo-Tech a 32-20 edge with 5:21 left. And when Longenberger rushed in for his second touchdown, a quick 3-yard hitter, it appeared the Rams were in cruise control to their second win.

Not so fast.

Redeemer put together a quick, eight-play 70 yard drive, which was helped by a 15-yard personal foul call. Thomas Engle, who rushed for 126 yards, got the Royals down to the CMVT 18. On a second-and-10, Brennan rolled out and found Turosky for the 18-yard TD strike. The two-point conversion was no good, but the lead was cut to 38-26.

Scott Dennis’ club then recovered the ensuing onside kick to keep the hopes of an amazing comeback alive.

Redeemer needed just three plays this time as Brennan found Turosky on a 31-yard hookup down the left sideline for its second score in a 30-second span. Mauricio Rodriguez connected on the extra point, and the Royals were just down 38-33 with 33 seconds left.

But the magic wasn’t there on the second onside try as the pooch kick was recovered by Binder.

Engle finished with 126 yards on 19 carries, and Brennan completed four passes for 78 yards – three of them to Turosky.

Vo-Tech finished with almost 270 yards – 200 of those by Longenberger.

By Tom Fox

For Times Leader

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