New Canaan Football Holds off New London, 27-26

Editor's Note: Send any write-ups on youth or recreational games in your town to michaeld+sports@patch.com

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.

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.

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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The New Canaan girls swimming and diving team, which won its second straight FCIAC championship, saw nine members of its team honored by the league.

Cara Egan, Emma Tobey, Adelyn Graf, Alex Aliapoulios, Maddie Rusch, Jenna Egan and Ariana Ross all made the first team for the Rams. The seven first-team picks matched Wilton and Greenwich for the most in the league.

New Canaan's Ali Rusch and Kylie Towbin were named to the second team.

Here is the a list of New Canana's first- and second-team all-league choices:

All-FCIAC First Team

Alex Aliapoulios New Canaan 200 Freestyle, 200 Freestyle Relay, 400 Freestyle Relay

Maddie Rusch New Canaan 50 Freestyle, 100 Fly, 200 Freestyle Relay, 400 Freestyle Relay

Jenna Egan New Canaan 50 Freestyle, 100 Freestyle, 200 Freestyle Relay, 400 Freestyle Relay

Ariana Ross New Canaan Diving

Emma Tobey New Canaan 100 Butterfly

Cara Egan New Canaan 200 Freestyle Relay, 400 Freestyle Relay

Adelyn Graf New Canaan 100 Breaststroke

All-FCIAC Second Team

Ali Rusch New Canaan 200 Medley Relay

Kylie Towbin New Canaan Diving

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Here is a scrimmage schedule for the New Canaan girls and boys basketball teams:

BOYS BASKETBALL

Saturday -- at Derby, 10 a.m.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Saturday -- at Cromwell, 3 p.m.

GIRLS HOCKEY

Saturday -- at Shelton Jamboree, 4:15 p.m.

TUESDAY'S RESULTS

Football

New Canaan 27, New London 26, Class L quarterfinals

WEDNESDAY'S SCHEDULE

No games scheduled

STANDINGS

• Football

283-347

• Boys soccer

• Girls soccer

Field hockey

Girls volleyball