Lake Mary stuns top seeded Vero Beach with last second touchdown and victory

Lake Mary completed a season changing comeback against Vero Beach, overcoming a 27 to 21 deficit and a pouring rain storm to win the Class 7A State Championship 28 to 27 on December 16 at Florida International University. Trailing with six seconds remaining, senior quarterback Noah Grubbs heaved a 42 yard Hail Mary that deflected off several Vero Beach defenders into the hands of Barrett Schulz at the 4 yard line. Sophomore running back Tavarius Brundidge Jr. wrestled the ball away and carried it into the end zone as time expired. After two offside penalties against Vero Beach, junior kicker Lucas Parker converted the extra point to complete the rally.

The game was both a thriller and a statement for Lake Mary. Grubbs finished 25 of 43 passing for 333 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions, and his 143rd career touchdown pass tied a state mark for second all time. Schulz caught seven passes for 129 yards and a touchdown and also completed a two point conversion pass. Other contributors included Gavin Isaacs with four catches for 57 yards and a touchdown, O Shean Faison with 50 rushing yards and six receptions for 45 yards, and Brundidge with three catches for 50 yards and a touchdown.

Vero Beach opened with an 80 yard scoring pass and led for most of the game, but Lake Mary chipped away late. The Rams scored on consecutive possessions spanning the third and fourth quarters, including a trick play that set up a two point conversion to trim the gap. Defensive adjustments were decisive as Lake Mary allowed 318 yards in the first half but held Vero Beach to 163 yards in the second half and just 37 yards in the fourth quarter.

For Seminole County the win provides a unifying moment for students, alumni and local youth sports programs, reinforcing investment in coaching and athlete development. Coach Scott Perry, a Lake Mary High graduate, captured his first state championship in his 20th season, giving the school a milestone that may boost community morale and support for school athletics. The game also underscores the physical demands of high level high school football and the importance of continued attention to player safety, training resources and access to medical care for student athletes across the county.