Boyertown outlasts Pottsgrove in 4 OTs

Leo Egbe’s 5-yard TD run in the fourth overtime ended the longest football game in Boyertown history as the Bears outlasted Pottsgrove 42-35 Friday in a non-league game at Pottstown.

The Bears (2-2) never trailed and scored on each of their four overtime possessions.

The game ended when Anthony Panarello recovered Amir Bruson’s fumble on the opening play of the Falcons’ fourth overtime.

The only other Berks game to extend to four overtimes came last season, when Hamburg beat Fleetwood 55-49.

Three other Berks games have gone three overtimes.

The teams were tied 14-14 at halftime, and at the end of regulation, in what was a defensive battle.

Even with four extra periods the Bears, led by Gavin Chamberlin and Brandon Shane, limited the Falcons to 231 total yards. Chamberlain had a team-high eight tackles; Shane had six.

Boyertown quarterback Ryder Gehris accounted for four scores. He ran 23 times for a team-high 75 yards and scored on runs of 14 and 2 yards, the second giving the Bears a 28-21 lead in the second OT.

He also threw a pair of TD passes, 9 yards to Luke Ordway in the first OT and 20 yards to Shane in the third OT.

Brunson rushed for a game-high 110 yards and two TDs, the second tying the game 28-28 in the second OT.

The Bears fumbled four times but recovered them all and did not have a turnover.

The Falcons’ only turnover came on the final play of the game.

The Bears matched their win total of last season, when they finished 2-5. They have won four of their last six games.

Boyertown was coming off one-sided losses, to Exeter and Wyomissing.

The Bears host Owen J. Roberts in their Pioneer Athletic Conference Liberty Division opener next week. The Wildcats (3-1) won their third straight Friday, beating Reading High 39-6.