After sending its contest with Liberty into overtime with a last-minute touchdown drive, Mercer Island couldn’t stop the undefeated Pats in extra time, falling 49-42 Thursday night at Liberty High School. It was Mercer Island’s third-straight loss, dropping the Islanders to 0-3 in KingCo and 1-4 overall this year.

Both teams were trading touchdowns in a high-scoring first half. A 44-yard touchdown pass from Alfonso Gonzalez to Jack Counihan evened the score at 14 at the end of one. After a 29-yard touchdown pass from Gonzalez to Steven Duchaine tied the game at 21 in the second quarter, Liberty quarterback Nate Solly found Josh Nelson in the end zone from 12 yards out to give the Pats a 28-21 lead at the break.

Mercer Island scored two unanswered touchdowns in the third quarter, claiming a 34-28 lead with a 20-yard touchdown pass from Gonzalez to Griffin Kane. But in the fourth, the Patriots responded with two unanswered touchdowns of their own to reclaim the advantage with just over a minute remaining. Down 42-34, Gonzalez marched the Islanders down the field, capping a 65-yard drive with a 17-yard touchdown pass to Kane. The Islanders’ two-point conversion attempt was successful to send the game into extra time.

In overtime, Liberty reached the end zone on its first drive, with running back Drew Hall running it in from one yard out for his third touchdown of the game. Mercer Island had a chance to respond, but saw its ensuing possession end with a Patriots interception. With the win, Liberty improved its record to 3-0 in KingCo and 5-0 overall, good for first place in the KingCo 3A/2A standings.

Next for Mercer Island will be a home contest against Interlake at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 10 at Islander Stadium.