High school football in Florida is regarded as some of the best in the country, and that was on display on Saturday in a state championship matchup between Lake Mary and Vero Beach in the FHSAA Class 7A state championship.
Lake Mary was down to one final play in the game, trailing by a score of 27-21 with 12 seconds remaining in the game. Quarterback Noah Grubbs threw a pass to the endzone that was deflected, but caught by Barrett Schultz just inside the five-yard line. He gave the ball to teammate Tavarius Brundidge Jr., who was able to do the rest and fight for the touchdown to pull the stunning comeback in the game.
With just over two minutes left, Grubbs threw an interception trailing by eight points. Vero Beach ran a lot of the timeout, but decided to run backward and take a safety to cut the lead to 27-21 with 12 seconds remaining. Lake Mary got the ball back, and ultimately delivered with the Hail Mary.
After the game, Lake Mary coach Scott Parry told reporters that his team never stopped battling, and they did everything to earn that chance.
“I was just hoping and praying like everyone else that he was going to come down with the football and Barrett did,” Perry said, per Treasure Coast Newspapers. “… We were just going to keep fighting and fighting until the final whistle.”
Vero Beach was having a season for the ages, and was undefeated and looking for the first state title since 1981.
