Lake Mary Shocks Miami Norland with Epic 4th-Quarter Comeback, Wins 30–29

LAKE MARY – The 2025 high school football season kicked off with a thunderous roar in Lake Mary Friday night. After trailing 29–7 heading into the final quarter, the Rams executed one of the greatest comebacks in program history to top Miami Norland 30–29—a dramatic win that will echo across the region.

The first half belonged entirely to Norland. The Vikings jumped out to a 13–0 first-quarter lead and stretched it to 29–7 at halftime, highlighted by a pick-six and a late field goal. Lake Mary’s offense looked stalled, and costly mistakes piled up.

But the second half told a completely different story.

The Fourth Quarter Turnaround

After a scoreless third quarter, Lake Mary finally broke through early in the fourth, punching in an 8-yard touchdown to cut the score to 29–14. Minutes later, a QB keeper from the 2-yard line plus a successful two-point conversion narrowed the deficit to 29–22.

With less than a minute left, Notre Dame commit Noah Grubbs connected on a clutch 21-yard touchdown pass to #4, bringing the Rams within one, 28–29. On the ensuing attempt, Lake Mary drew Norland offsides with a hard count. Instead of settling for a field goal, the Rams lined up for two — and #7 muscled into the end zone, giving Lake Mary its first lead of the night, 30–29.

Norland nearly spoiled the comeback, driving into field goal range with one second left. But Lake Mary’s special teams rose again, blocking the kick to seal the victory. The crowd erupted as the Rams completed their improbable comeback.

Coach Perry: Resilience Defined

Head Coach Scott Perry praised his team’s grit and ability to regroup after a shaky start:

“The resilience for the whole team. I mean, our first half we were very mistake prone — offense, defense, special teams — and then second half we just kept grinding, thinking about the next play coming up.”

On the decisive final minutes, Perry added:

“I guess I just feel like we wanted it more at the very end of the game. We kept fighting, kept fighting. We weren’t able to move the ball on them in the first half like we did in the second half — or I should say in the fourth quarter. And I don’t know if they got tired out or if, like I said, our tenacity and our heart just took over.”

And about what this win means for the Rams moving forward:

“It’s huge. With all these kids that came in from different places, we need something to galvanize us, bring us together. And I think tonight is an example of that. Going forward they’re going to know — hey, we’re never out of a game. And that’s what you need in a football team.”

Looking ahead, Perry was realistic about the challenges to come:

“Next week’s a tough one. I mean, in the next three weeks they’re all state-ranked teams and it’s tough. So we just got to learn from this, watch the film, and get better — and hopefully don’t have to win it in the last second.”

Grubbs: “We’re Not Going to Give Up”

Quarterback Noah Grubbs shouldered the comeback, tossing multiple fourth-quarter touchdowns and orchestrating the game-winning drive.

“Everything as a team just shows what we’re about to Central Florida, just being down in the first half, 29 to 7.”

On what the performance means:

“Just shows people what we’re about. I mean, we’re not going to give up whenever things get tough, and we’re always going to lean on each other and just go all the way until the end.”

And on the win’s significance:

“Everything. I mean, no Miami team’s not going to be good. They’re going to come here, they’re going to give us their all, and the stands showed out today — the student section, the community, everyone showed out. I’m glad we got to show them what we are all about.”

Game Timeline & Highlights

• First Quarter: Norland struck early. At 9:41, a sharp 29-yard touchdown pass put the Vikings up 7–0. Lake Mary responded with a three-and-out, and Norland scored again at 3:20—though the extra point was blocked by the big man #44 Ashton, a play that would loom large later. Norland carried a 13–0 lead into the second quarter.

• Second Quarter: Lake Mary got on the board at 8:47 with an 11-yard TD pass, narrowing the gap to 13–7. Norland answered with a 6-yard touchdown but failed the two-point try (19–7). Just before halftime, Norland intercepted a Lake Mary drive and returned it for a pick-six, extending the lead to 26–7. Despite getting as close as the 8-yard line after the ensuing kickoff, Lake Mary fumbled. Norland then tacked on a field goal as time expired—29–7 at the break.

• Third Quarter: No scoring. Lake Mary’s offense began to find traction, but Norland’s defense held strong. The stage was set.

• Fourth Quarter: Everything changed. Lake Mary marched down and punch in a TD from eight yards out—29–14. A quick two-yard QB keeper with a successful two-point conversion (thanks to a bold call) cut the lead further: 29–22.

  Late in the quarter, after a Norland turnover, Lake Mary’s final drive struck gold when Noah Grubbs hit #4 with a 21-yard touchdown pass with 44 seconds remaining (28–29). A hard count forced Norland offside on the point-after setup—Lake Mary took advantage, and #7 sealed it with a two-point conversion run: 30–29.

• In a final nail-biter, a targeting penalty plus rush-down moved Norland into field goal range with just 1 second left—but Lake Mary blocked the kick. The Rams had completed one of the most improbable comebacks.

Player Spotlight & Team Impact

• Noah Grubbs orchestrated the dramatic comeback, delivering multiple critical TDs in the fourth quarter under pressure.

• Norland’s blocked extra point in the first quarter and failed two-point attempt at halftime are now glaring missed opportunities—two points may well have decided the game.

What It Means for the Season

• Lake Mary (1–0) sends a statement: Even trailing big, they have the resilience and playmakers to pull off big comebacks. With Grubbs at the helm, they look like serious contenders.

• Miami Norland drops to 0–1, but a commanding first half shows they have explosive potential—if they can close games more consistently.

Lake Mary’s schedule continues on 8/29 @ Osceola, and 9/5 @ Lakeland next.

At-a-Glance Breakdown

Quarter

Key Highlights

1st

Norland up 13–0; PAT blocked by Lake Mary #44

2nd

Lake Mary scores; Norland intercepts and scores pick-six; FG leads to 29–7 half

3rd

Defensive adjustments; no scoring

4th

Rams score 3 TDs (incl. 2-point conv); win on conversion; blocked FG at wire

This was not just a win—it was a declaration: Lake Mary is not just prepared—they’re relentless.