Daily News Photos by CRISTIAN SIMESCU Educational Complex running back Brandon James, left, scores the winning touchdown in overtime against CAHS.

In a fitting end to an exciting tackle football season in the Virgin Islands, the Educational Complex Barracudas and the Charlotte Amalie Chickenhawks needed a little extra time to finish their first of two contests.

After 48 minutes and an extra series by each team, the Barracudas emerged victorious with a 28-20 overtime win. The two teams will face each other again in the territorial championship on St. Thomas.

On their home field, the Barracudas not only exacted revenge for their championship loss to CAHS last year, they also handed the Chickenhawks their first loss in the past 25 games.

CAHS looked to be running away with the game after building a 20-8 lead in the third quarter, but Complex fought back by turning two fourth-quarter interceptions into touchdowns and tying the game with just over a minute to play.

Down by 12 points, Barracudas defensive back Angel Mendez intercepted CAHS's Cursim Hansen with 10:06 left in the game to start their comeback on the 50-yard line.

CAHS' Shaquille Peterson tackles Educational Complex's Brandon James during the second half at the Educational Complex field.

Quarterback William Tutein then capitalized on the turnover when he connected with Jelani Rollins for a 30-yard touchdown pass with less than 10 minutes left. After a failed two-point try, the score was 20-14.

Complex's defense continued showing heart as defensive end Davante Polius intercepted Hansen at the Complex 22-yard line on the ensuing drive with 9:07 left in the game. Again, Complex would make CAHS pay for the turnover.

After a couple of key receptions by Jelani Rollins, Complex nearly lost it as they fumbled deep in Chickenhawks territory. But they were able to jump on the ball and save the game.

Tutein then capped the drive when he scored on a 2-yard play, on which his entire offensive line helped push him across the goal line, overpowering the defense as the crowd erupted with 1:23 left in the game.

After a failed two-point conversion attempt, the game went into overtime tied at 20.

Each team got four downs from the 10-yard line to try to put the ball in the end zone and Complex got the first shot. On 3rd and goal, running back Brandon James ran in for the score from five yards out to put the Barracudas on top. Tutein then completed a two-point pass to Rollins to put them up by eight.

CAHS then got their chance, but failed to score. The entire Barracudas team and fans erupted in cheers after the goal line stand gave the Barracudas a big home victory.

"It was really good to beat them, especially the way we came from behind," Complex head coach Jason Woodard said. "They didn't give up, ever, and they always kept saying they could get back in it.

"They've probably been the best program in the territory for forever, so it's good to realize we can compete on the same level."

This game, the only one to end in overtime this year, began with Complex drawing first blood. With 5:30 left in the first, Tutein sneaked in from 1 yard out to give the Barracudas the lead. James then ran in the two-point conversion to make it 8-0.

The Chickenhawks wasted no time in responding, getting one of their own on the following drive. Running back Devin Pruitt ran in the touchdown from four yards out. But after a failed two-point try, CAHS was still trailing, 8-6.

Near the end of the first half, Pruitt scored again on a 4-yard touchdown run. With 2:39 minutes left, Charlotte Amalie had taken the lead, 12-8, but failed to convert the two-point try.

On the next series, Complex's Tutein was intercepted by the Chickenhawks' A.J. Hairston at midfield before time ran out at halftime.

In the second half, CAHS continued their scoring as Hansen ran in a 9-yard touchdown with 9:37 left in the third. Hansen then completed a pass in the end zone for the two-point to give CAHS a 20-8 lead. After that score, Complex turned up the heat and began their improbable comeback, which left no team undefeated in the territory this season.

"We just got outplayed tonight," CAHS head coach Francisco Jarvis said. "Not that we weren't trying, but that team was a little more hungry than us and it showed."

Now Complex has the chance to put up a winning streak against CAHS when they face-off again the championship game. The game was to be played this Saturday, but it has been postponed with a date to be determined this week.

"It really was a fun game," Woodard said. "It was two equal teams playing good football the way it should be played."

- Contact reporter Chris Walsh at 774-8772 ext. 310 or e-mail cwalsh@dailynews.vi.