Football doesn't get any more dramatic than this.

With just over two seconds remaining in Saturday's game in Trumbull, and after scoring a remarkable comeback touchdown, the Rams had a choice: kick the extra point and take the game into overtime or go for the two-point conversion and decide the game right there.

New Canaan's head coach, Lou Marinelli, rolled the dice and went for two.  New Canaan quarterback Matt Milano threw a slant to wide receiver Cameron Armstrong,  but it was batted down by a St. Joe's defender, handing New Canaan its first loss of the season.

With the loss, New Canaan drops to 5-1, while the Cadets improve to 4-2.

In explaining that pivotal play, Marinelli said, "We were lucky to be in the game after their kick-off return, and if I had to, I would do it again."

The two-point conversion attempt was an exciting finish to a thrilling second half, which showcased offensive firepower from both teams.

The game, however, did not start out that way.

On the opening drive, the Cadets quarterback Joe Della Vecchia marched his team down the field from their own 18 yard line.  The Rams inexplicably committed three penalties, including two personal fouls, which kept the Cadets' drive alive.

That initial drive was capped off by Cadet running back Tyler Matakevich -- making his much anticipated season debut after a pre-season injury -- running the ball into the end zone for the first touch down of the game.

"Those penalties were stupid," said Marinelli. "It looked like [our team] had never been coached."

The Rams looked sluggish in the first half and could not get their offense clicking.  At the half they trailed 7-0, which is the first time they've trailed at half time all season.

In the opening drive of the third quarter, Milano was masterful in mixing up running and passing plays, which included a dazzling run by Connor Goodwin, who twisted and spun to find daylight for a 29- yard gain.  Kevin Macari also made a key 8-yard gain to move the chains.

Then, from St. Joe's 12 yard line, Milano connected with Patrick Newton in the end zone, which finally put the Rams on the scoreboard.    

Della Vecchia, who Marinelli said "is probably the most dynamic player we will face all year," answered back with two more Cadets touchdowns.  When the game entered the final quarter, St. Joe's owned a commanding 21-7 lead.

As the fourth quarter began Milano once again engineered a beautiful scoring drive, this time from their own 36 yard line.   

Milano's accurate arm found junior John Brainard in the end zone, who just managed to keep his feet in for the touchdown, bringing the score to 21-14 in the Cadet's favor. 

After a St. Joe's three and out, New Canaan again took over on offense. 

Once again, the Rams' offense steamrolled down the field which ended in a one-yard touch down run by Milano himself to tie the game 21-21.  At that point, just over one minute remained on the clock.

On the ensuing kick-off, the Cadets' Pat Mulligan returned the ball 90 yards for a touch down, and St. Joe's pulled ahead 28-21.

With the St. Joe's crowd going wild and with a mere 53 seconds remaining on the clock, it appeared the game was over – but nobody told the New Canaan offense.

The Rams offense once again dug deep.  From their own 32 yard line they drove down the field, getting first downs and managing the clock like pros.

With just over 2 ticks left on the clock, Milano once again found Brainard in the end zone to make the score 28-27 and arrive at the fateful two-point conversion attempt, which was ultimately turned back by the Cadets.

"We showed them in the end that we can play with any team," said wide receiver Cameron Armstrong, "we just didn't show that in the beginning, which is what hurt us the most." 

In reflecting on the game, Marinelli said, "maybe our team had it too easy the first five games, but we take our hats off to St. Joe's; they did a tremendous job."  He added, "our kids played their hearts out, and I couldn't be any prouder of them."

Up next, the Rams host Wilton on Saturday at Homecoming 1:30 p.m. at Dunning Field.