STANDISH — Jeff Amell caught a 3-yard touchdown pass from Ryan Nason with 28 seconds left as Bonny Eagle rallied to a 25-19 victory over Portland in the quarterfinals of the Western Maine Class A football playoffs Saturday.

The third-seeded Scots (7-2) never led until the last minute, during which Nason returned after injuring his ankle on a 2-point conversion attempt earlier in the period. The two-time defending state champions seemed headed for an early exit in the playoffs, missing three conversion attempts and playing a lackluster first half.

"We have too much pride and passion not to come back," said Nason. "The seniors didn´t want the season to end."

Bonny Eagle will play a semifinal Saturday at No. 2 Windham.

Nason limped off the field after being stopped on a conversion rush that would have put the Scots ahead. Bonny Eagle stopped the sixth-seeded Bulldogs (5-4) on three running plays to get the ball back.

"We needed to get a couple of first downs to put it away," said Portland Coach Mike Bailey.

Trailing 19-18, the Scots took over on their 37 and had to convert two fourth-down plays to keep the drive alive.

Backup quarterback Matt Rollins passed to Amell for 16 yards on fourth-and-13 from midfield. Nason returned and hit Cameron McKague for 6 yards on second down. A play later, Bonny Eagle faced fourth-and-3 on the 27. Joe Davis swept left and went down the sideline for an apparent touchdown. But the Scots were called for holding, which left them with a first down at the 11 with 49 seconds left.

Nason passed to Davis for 8 yards, then spiked the ball on second down to stop the clock. On third down, Nason passed to Amell just over the goal line, and Amell held onto the ball just long enough before getting hit. Nate Martel kicked the extra point to make it 25-19.

"I didn´t see the touchdown pass," said Nason. "I was knocked to the ground."

The Bulldogs got the ball at the 20 after the kickoff, and defensive back Sam Proudman intercepted Gordon Parker´s pass to end it.

"Both teams played well," said Bailey. "It was a great high school football game. Unfortunately, penalties killed us."

Wide receiver Jake Alexander scored all of Portland´s touchdowns. His first came on a 57-yard run that gave the Bulldogs a 6-0 lead with 2:19 in the first quarter. He scored again with 59 seconds left in the first half on a 31-yard reception from Imadhi Zagon.

Then with 5:12 remaining in the game, he outfought Davis for a pass thrown by Parker for a 23-yard score that gave Portland a 19-12 lead. The Bulldogs tried for the 2-point conversion, but Zagon was stopped on a run.

Two plays later, Bonny Eagle was back in the game. On second down, Nason passed to Davis in the flat, and he took it 81 yards for the score with 4:13 left.

"I knew Joe was going to break one," said Nason. "He had been so close all game."

The Bulldogs were called for encroachment on Martel´s PAT kick, moving the ball half the distance to the goal line. Scots Coach Kevin Cooper decided to go for the 2-point conversion, but the Bulldogs stopped Nason.

"We felt we could get a yard and a half with our best runner," said Cooper.

Staff Writer Tom Chard can be reached at 791-6419 or at:
tchard@pressherald.com