In a game dominated by offense, it was a defensive stop that sent Anchor Bay’s players and fans into a joyous celebration Friday night.

Roseville had countered the Tars’ overtime touchdown with a 2-yard run by Desmond Straughton and the Panthers were lined up for the 2-point conversion that would give them the win in the Macomb Area Conference crossover thriller.

The moment Straughton was handed the ball, he was swarmed by the Anchor Bay defense to preserve the 66-65 victory.“I was on the sideline, just hanging on,” said quarterback Ryan LaFear, who passed for four touchdowns and ran for another. “It’s a crazy feeling. You see the run and see the guys flying in. It was like, oh my gosh. I can’t even describe it. It’s a feeling you can’t replicate. I’m so happy to be a part of it with these guys.”

Coach Mike Giannone thought the Tars might have received some divine intervention.

“I knew they were going for two,” he said. “I got a little emotional because my mom just passed away. I think she was there to help us.

“They have more five-star guys than we do and they’re well-coached but it was one of those nights where we were meant to win.

As soon as the fans realized the game was over, they stormed the field.

“It’s been a long time since you’ve seen that at Anchor Bay,” Giannone said. “We have a lot of tough games ahead of us, but these kids are starting to believe. Believe. That’s been our slogan since I started coaching.”

The final score — 66-65 — combines for 131 points. It’s the second-most points scored in a single overtime game in MHSAA 11-man football history. The only overtime game that went for more (Tawas 70, Shepherd 69 in 2002) required four overtimes. Roseville and Anchor Bay needed just one.

In two games this season, the Tars have scored 117 points. The two wins equals last year’s victory total.

LaFear said a lot of hard work went into the turnaround.

“I love our team. They worked so hard all through the offseason,” he said. “This is what we do. It’s the new culture at Anchor Bay.”

The Tars trailed 35-14 midway through the second quarter after Roseville scored on a 58-yard pass from Jordan Simes to Herman Searcy. Anchor Bay cut the deficit to 35-29 at halftime on a pair of touchdowns by Isaiah Domey, one on a 19-yard pass from LaFear and the other on a 71-yard run.

Domey ran for two other touchdowns and earned the praise of Roseville coach Vernard Snowden.

“He’s going to college (Michigan State) to play baseball but that kid is one of the most underrated players in the state,” Snowden said. “He’s really good.”

Domey’s 3-yard touchdown run midway through the third quarter put Anchor Bay ahead 36-35. A short run by Straughton put the Panthers back in front, but on the next play, LaFear scored on a 59-yard keeper.

Touchdowns by Simes and Straughton gave Roseville a 53-44 advantage with 5:38 left in the fourth quarter. Anchor Bay drove 60 yards in six plays to make it 53-51 with 4:31 to go. LaFear completed 5-of-6 passes in the drive, finishing it off with a 13-yard strike to Gerry Hanson.

The Tars blocked Roseville’s extra-point kick after a 4-yard score by Straughton with 1:31 to go. Anchor Bay got the ball near midfield after a good kickoff return by Hanson. Ten plays later, LaFear hit Hanson in the corner of the end zone as time expired. He then connected with Orlando for the extra point to tie the game at 59-all.

Anchor Bay got the ball first in overtime and the Tars scored on a 5-yard pass from LaFear to Orlando and Rivera kicked the extra point. Straughton answered with a 2-yard run, setting the stage for the defensive play of the game.

“This really showed the resilience of our team,” LaFear said. “First I have to start with my O-line. They’re my big guys and I love them. There’s a very special connection with my receivers. They’re making grabs, doing stuff on the run and doing it at the right time.”

Straughton finished with 304 rushing yards and five touchdowns. Simes threw for 256 yards and three scores, and receiver Herman Searcy racked up 123 yards and two touchdowns.

There’s nothing wrong with Roseville’s offense — the Panthers have scored 100 points in two games. It’s the defense that concerns Snowden.

“We couldn’t stop anybody. It was sad,” Snowden said. “Structurally we were out of place and sometimes we just didn’t make plays. We’ve got to go back to the drawing board and do something. Maybe structurally, but we’ve got to get better.”

Neither coach could remember a game quite like Friday’s.

“That definitely was the wildest game I’ve been a part of in 20-some years of coaching,” Snowden said.

Giannone compared it to a game against Clarkston when he was at Dakota in 1999.

“We lost 54-53,” he recalled. “They went for the 2-point conversion to win the game and they scored.”