BENNINGTON -- You better believe that ankle was hurting Nick Reed.

But the addrenaline was flowing through his body on a cold night and Syracuse was in need of a fourth-quarter comeback to keep its unbeaten season alive.

Reed's two fourth-quarter touchdown receptions and pair of two-point conversions were the difference in third-ranked Syracuse's 30-13 victory against Bennington on Wednesday in the second round of the Class C-1 playoffs.

Syracuse exploded for 24 fourth-quarter points after tailing 13-6 after the third.

Rarely in such a situation during a season where Syracuse rolled to big wins and four shutouts, Reed admitted he was nervous, but said fourth quarter was a blast.

"Coach was really getting us fired up, and everybody was making big plays and we were getting excited," Reed said.

Reed was injured when he got knocked down while punting in the first quarter and missed a few series. Coach Rick Nordhues thought it may have been a fractured ankle, but it was just a bad sprain.

Reed had the go-ahead touchdown on a 19-pass from Adam Vogt with 11 minutes to in the fourth quarter. He scored again on a 12 TD reception only two minutes that put the Rockets up 22-13.

Reed had seven receptions for 158 yards in the second half and eight receptions for 187 for the game. Bennington knew the ball was going to Reed, but rarely double-teamed him. Reed made plays both on winning balls in the air and making big gains after the catch.

All but the last of Vogt's nine completions went to Reed. After struggling with his timing in the first half, Vogt threw for 188 yards in the second half.

Vogt also rushed for 110 yards a first-quarter TD.

"Those two kids are special," Nordhues said. "They just make plays. Adam can do it with his arm and his legs, and he proved that tonight. Nick was calling for the ball. Adam told me, 'Nick wants the ball, let's get it to him,' and that's what we did."

Reach Brent C. Wagner at 473-7435 or bwagner@journalstar.com.