Lake Mary High School secured its first-ever state football championship in a stunning 28-27 victory over Vero Beach. The Class 7A title was decided on the final play of the game, a 42-yard Hail Mary pass that involved a tip and a lateral for a touchdown as time expired.
The improbable finish at FIU's Pitbull Stadium in Miami capped a wild sequence in which Lake Mary scored nine points in the final 12 seconds. The loss was the first of the season for Vero Beach, which appeared to have the game secured just moments before the shocking conclusion.
Key Takeaways
- Lake Mary defeated Vero Beach 28-27 to win the Class 7A state championship.
- The winning score came on a 42-yard tipped pass and lateral on the game's final play.
- Vero Beach led 27-19 with just over a minute remaining but conceded a safety with 12 seconds left, setting up the final sequence.
- This is Lake Mary's first state title in school history, avenging a loss in last year's championship game.
- The game featured significant momentum swings, with Vero Beach building a large early lead before Lake Mary's comeback.
An Unforgettable Finish
With 12 seconds on the clock and trailing 27-21, Lake Mary stood at the Vero Beach 42-yard line. Quarterback Noah Grubbs dropped back and launched a high, arching pass toward the end zone. A Vero Beach defender leaped and tipped the ball, but it fell directly into the hands of Lake Mary receiver Barrett Schulz at the 4-yard line.
Surrounded by defenders, Schulz immediately lateraled the ball to a trailing Tavarius Brundidge Jr., who ran untouched into the end zone. The touchdown tied the game at 27-27 as the clock hit zero. Kicker Lucas Parker then calmly converted the extra point, igniting a massive celebration on the Lake Mary sideline and leaving the Vero Beach team in stunned silence on the field.
The Final 72 Seconds
The game's conclusion was set in motion by a series of strategic decisions. With 1:12 remaining and a 27-19 lead, Vero Beach intercepted a pass from Grubbs, seemingly sealing their victory. However, instead of running out the clock normally, Vero Beach opted to run the ball backwards out of their own end zone for an intentional safety. This narrowed their lead to 27-21 but forced them to give the ball back to Lake Mary via a free kick with 12 seconds left.
Jahvon Robinson’s 23-yard return on the ensuing kick gave the Rams the field position they needed for one last desperate attempt, which ultimately became one of the most memorable plays in Florida high school football history.
Vero Beach's Dominance Undone by Penalties
For most of the game, Vero Beach looked like the superior team. After an early Lake Mary field goal, the Indians reeled off 21 unanswered points to take a commanding 21-3 lead into halftime. Their offense relied on explosive plays to build the advantage.
Champ Monds connected with Efrem White for an 80-yard touchdown on their first offensive play. Later, a 79-yard pass from White to Marcus Melbourne and a 50-yard strike from Monds to Xavier Stinson showcased their big-play capability.
Costly Mistakes: Vero Beach was flagged 18 times for a total of 124 penalty yards. These errors frequently stalled their own drives and extended opportunities for Lake Mary.
Despite outgaining Lake Mary 481 to 431 in total yards, the penalties and a failure to secure the game in the final minute proved to be their downfall. Running back Jonathan Hillsman was a standout performer in the loss, rushing for an impressive 238 yards on 19 carries, including a 69-yard run that set up a third-quarter touchdown.
Lake Mary's Resilient Comeback
Down 21-3 at the half, Lake Mary began to chip away at the deficit. A 35-yard touchdown pass from Grubbs to Schulz, followed by a successful two-point conversion run by Grubbs, cut the lead to 21-11 late in the third quarter.
Even after Vero Beach responded with another score to make it 27-11, the Rams did not back down. Early in the fourth quarter, Grubbs found Gavin Isaacs for a 7-yard touchdown. A successful trick play on the two-point conversion brought the score to 27-19, making it a one-score game with over 11 minutes to play.
The defense held strong, forcing a punt and later benefiting from a missed 39-yard field goal by Vero Beach with just 3:23 remaining. This resilience set the stage for the dramatic final moments that would ultimately deliver them a championship.
Key Player Performances
Several players delivered crucial performances that shaped the outcome of the game.
- Noah Grubbs (QB, Lake Mary): The senior quarterback overcame three interceptions to throw for 333 yards and three touchdowns, including the game-winning Hail Mary.
- Barrett Schulz (WR, Lake Mary): He was Grubbs' favorite target, finishing with seven catches for 129 yards and a touchdown, plus the critical catch and lateral on the final play.
- Jonathan Hillsman (RB, Vero Beach): Hillsman was a workhorse, consistently breaking off large gains and finishing with 238 rushing yards.
- Efrem White (ATH, Vero Beach): The versatile athlete scored two touchdowns, one receiving and one rushing, and also threw a 79-yard touchdown pass.
A Historic Moment for the Rams
The victory marks a historic achievement for the Lake Mary program. After falling short in the state championship game a year ago, this win represents the ultimate redemption. For a team that finished the season 12-3, the championship is a testament to their perseverance through a challenging schedule.
For Vero Beach, the loss is a heartbreaking end to a previously perfect 14-0 season. The team was seeking its first state title since 1981 and came within a single play of achieving that goal before it was snatched away in the most dramatic fashion possible.