Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
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.