King’s sinks Benjamin’s perfect season on final play

The King’s Academy delivered one of their most memorable wins in school history in dramatic fashion. Senior quarterback Justin Wake threw a touchdown pass to get within 21-20 on the final play of regulation time and then — after King’s accepted a penalty on the tying extra-point kick — rushed for a two-point conversion as the host Lions erased a 21-point second-half deficit to stun Benjamin 22-21 in a rivalry matchup between Class 3A schools on Friday night in West Palm Beach.

The Lions trailed 21-0 late in the third quarter before rallying to cut the deficit to seven. The Lions defense recorded a sack and fumble recovery at their own 49-yard line late in the fourth, but they failed to convert on a fourth down pass on the ensuing drive.

After forcing a punt, the Lions offense started at their own 30-yard line with 1:34 left.

The Lions reached the Bucs 21-yard line with six seconds left. Wake tossed a 21-yard touchdown pass to Drew Luchey to cut the deficit to one.

After converting an extra point, the Lions accepted a penalty called on Benjamin and lined up for a two-point conversion to decide the game. Wake powered his way into the end zone for the victory.

The Bucs (9-1) led 14-0 at halftime after senior running back Joe LaBovick and Santino Marucci rushed for touchdowns in the second quarter.

Marucci fired a 46-yard touchdown pass down the left sideline to standout senior Kaiir Elam to give the Bucs a 21-0 advantage in the third quarter.

Wake had a 36-yard run on the ensuing drive and the Lions marched downfield to the Bucs’ 6-yard line. The drive stalled after Wake was sacked on fourth-and-goal.

Wake raced for a 31-yard touchdown to cut the deficit to 21-7 with 19 seconds left in the third quarter.

Isaac Scroggins had an interception and the Lions (9-1) started their next series at the Bucs’ 19-yard line. On the first play, Wake tossed a touchdown pass to Luchey in the right corner of the end zone with 10:57 left in the fourth.