Lake Mary defeats Vero for state football championship in last-second heartbreaker

The Vero Beach Fighting Indians lost by one point to the Lake Mary Rams in the 7A state title game 28-27. Vero Beach’s faithful fans packed the stands and cheered on the players as they competed to hoist the championship trophy at Pitbull Stadium in Miami.

Video by Nick Samuel

 

Vero Beach controlled the game through the first half. It was aided by explosive plays on offense.

E.J. White scored the first touchdown on the Fighting Indians’ first offensive play from 80 yards out. Marcus Melbourne scored on a 79-yard touchdown pass and Champ Monds linked up with Xavier Stinson for a 50-yard touchdown strike.

Video by Nick Samuel

 

Jordan Crutchfield intercepted two passes as the defense held the Rams to three points.

At halftime, the Fighting Indians led the Rams 21-3. The competition heated up during the second half.

Lake Mary found the endzone and scored a two-point conversion to cut the lead to 27-11. Vero Beach responded on a one-yard touchdown run by White, his second of the game.

Crutchfield grabbed his third interception during the fourth quarter. Vero Beach took a safety in an attempt to give the Rams as little time as possible to score and led 27-21 with eight seconds left.

However, Lake Mary ended up winning the title. A Hail Mary caught short of the endzone and handed off to another player tied the game.

Then the Rams kicked the ensuing extra point to walk it off.

The historic football game was the second time Vero Beach football players made it to the state championship. The Fighting Indians last competed in the football state championship game in 1981, when they won their only state title to date.

Video by Nick Samuel

 

Fans watched historic state title game from Vero Beach

As the Vero Beach High School Fighting Indians took the field in Miami, fans in Vero Beach gathered to witness history from afar.

In a show of widespread community support for the team, watch parties appeared across the county for the historic kickoff against the Lake Mary Rams. Two iconic island venues served as hubs for the pigskin devotees.

At Riverside Café, fans eagerly gathered in hopes of seeing the 44-year title drought come to an end. One group stood out, sporting dark blue; they clearly hadn’t gotten the memo. After watching the Navy-Army game, they stayed to cheer on the Indians.

Meanwhile, about a mile downriver, members at the Quail Valley River Club gathered for an exclusive viewing event. The club set up large-screen displays outside, transforming the club’s McKeever’s Pub into a center of Fighting Indians pride for an epic gathering of nostalgic support.

Past, present, and future athletes debated game play to the bitter end. Cameron Barnes, a former VBHS and Saint Edward’s School student, watched in anticipation as his cousin, Efrem “E.J.” White #11, scored the first touchdown of the game.

“He made me proud, and Vero made me proud. I’m mad they didn’t pull this one away. It was exciting to see him on the big screen. I can’t wait to see what else he has in store,” said Barnes. 

Fighting Indians fans also witnessed the jaw-dropping game at Cap’s Pizza, located on the mainland.

Whether at Pitbull Stadium or on the Indian River, the entire community stood behind the “Tribe.”