Magna » As Murray High quarterback Dee Hamala put it, by this time last year, the Spartan football team would have already given up.

Not this year -- especially not with Hamala leading the charge.

After watching a 10-point lead disintegrate with five minutes left to play, Murray scored on its first possession of overtime, and held host Cyprus on down to preserve a 24-17 Region 2 victory on Friday.

"I'm pretty scared, but I know everyone else is too," Hamala said of his emotions during the overtime drive. "I just used it as adrenaline. Last year by this game we showed up just to show up. We've overcome a lot of adversity."

Indeed they have. The Spartans, who snapped a 19-game losing streak earlier this season, earned their third win in six weeks thanks to their comeback. Hamala connected on both of his overtime passes, and scored from a yard out.

Meanwhile, Murray's Joe Fisihetau made a key third-down sack to drive Cyprus further back from the end zone for what turned out to be the final play.

"In overtime, it was about staying within the offense and trying to move the sticks," Murray offensive coordinator Charles Givens said. "We wanted to run our option offense and let Dee make good decisions. These are games that make your team."

Hamala, who had 271 total yards (143 rushing), got the Spartans on the board first with a 17-yard touchdown pass to Julian Moore in the first quarter. Cyprus tied the game on the first play of the second quarter. Murray re-took the lead on Zach Battenfield's field goal, and Christian Jensen's 6-yard run made it 17-7.

However, the Pirates, who plodded their way through the first three quarters, suddenly tied the game on Albert Wolfgram's 45-yard burst with 1:18 left.

Still, the Spartans rebounded when it mattered most.

"You've got to learn to win in [close] games," Givens said. "We've lost a lot of kids to different things, but the kids haven't given up. This was real sweet."

The Spartans probably wouldn't have been in a position to win without Hamala, who rushed 29 times and attempted 29 passes.

Kamron Sanders caught six passes for 65 yards, including a key reception in overtime.

Amazingly, Murray overcame 19 penalties to prevail.