121325 VBHS Football JoshuaKodis 004 — PHOTO BY JOSHUA KODIS

Rain drenched Pitbull Stadium in Miami as Vero Beach’s Fighting Indians clung to a 27- 21 lead with just seconds left on the clock. It had been a tough second half. Most of their 21-3 halftime lead was gone. Could they hold on?

Soaked fans who followed their team down from Vero in a bus motorcade were on the edge of their stadium seats; back home on the 32963 island and on the Vero mainland, hundreds jammed around big-screen televisions in clubs and sports bars at watch parties.

As time ran out, the Lake Mary Rams – who trailed for much of the game – ran a desperate Hail Mary play. As Vero fans watched in horror, it worked. The score was tied, the game was over, but there was still the matter of the extra point. Several minutes later, after penalties that extended the agony a bit longer, Lake Mary attempted the kick. It was good. There would be no overtime.

The Rams had won the Class 7A high school football state championship, 28-27.

“(Football’s) got a lot of life lessons and sometimes things just don’t go your way. It’s unfortunate. But we got to keep our heads up. (The Rams) made a heck of a play,” said Vero Beach Head Coach Lenny Jankowski after the game. “Hats off to (the Rams). It was an incredible play. It’s a freakish thing and unfortunately we came up on the short end of it.”

The first half was defined by Vero Beach dominance. Three explosive touchdown passes accounted for all the Fighting Indians’ scoring. Meanwhile, the defense held a dangerous Rams offense to three points through two quarters.

However, Vero only managed one touchdown in the second half as its passing attack was grounded in the rain. The Rams found a way to cut Vero’s lead to eight points early in the fourth.

The Fighting Indians did well to fend off any other touchdowns. Vero Beach got what any team would want: Jordan Crutchfield’s mind-boggling third interception of the night put the ball in their hands with less than two minutes left.

One first down would likely seal the victory. Running the ball was a real option considering Jonathan Hillsman’s career night with 238 rushing yards. Instead, not willing to risk anything in a downpour, Vero Beach opted for three consecutive kneeldowns that lost 16 yards and whittled the clock to 22 seconds.

Eventually facing fourth-and-31 at their own 18-yard line, Vero again opted for what looked like a safer alternative. Instead of a punt, the Fighting Indians sent E.J. White running out the back corner of their endzone to burn more clock. The safety gave Lake Mary two points and cut Vero’s 27-19 lead to six.

After a pooch kick, Lake Mary had the ball at the Fighting Indian 42. Only eight seconds remained.

Then disaster happened.

A Hail Mary pass was batted around and caught short of the endzone as the stadium clock struck zero. Lake Mary’s TJ Brundidge took the lateral from Barrett Schulz, scored, and the rest was history.

The Fighting Indians finished their season with a 14-1 record. The monumental ending left the team’s supporters stunned and heartbroken in the immediate aftermath. But a couple of days later, perspective was beginning to return – and the skies appeared brighter.

“Although (Saturday’s) loss was a tough pill to swallow, I am extremely proud of the amazing players and coaching staff that I had the pleasure of serving throughout the 2025 football season,” said Pastor Joe Moore, a chaplain and character coach for the team. “The team fought hard to bring the championship back to Vero Beach after a 44-year drought, but fell eight seconds short of that goal.”

Greg Stewart, a longtime Fighting Indians fan who has never missed a game, congratulated the Vero team for the way it played with heart.

“I’m hurt for the players. My heart goes out to them. I’ve never seen the kids play on the level they played (at the title game). It was incredible. Defense played one hell of a game,” Stewart said. “That was the best game I’d ever seen. God will bless the players. We will (return) back to the state championship.”

Despite the loss, the state championship run by Vero was still historic.

The game marked the first time Vero Beach High School competed in a state football championship in 44 years. It last competed in the state championship in 1981, when the Fighting Indians won their only state title to date.

The journey to state drew accolades throughout Indian River County and across Florida. The football players trained year-round, including in the spring during the offseason and in the summer.

“We’ve got great kids. We’ve been at it since January. It’s not one week of preparation. It’s an extended period of time. These guys make a tremendous commitment to our program,” Jankowski said. “I’m really proud of our players. I’m very humble to be part of this.”

Last week Vero Beach High School celebrated the young athletes with a pep rally and fireworks show.

White, who scored on an 80-yard touchdown pass on Vero Beach’s first offensive snap during the state title game, said he loves the support the team received from the community. The senior is signed to play football for Florida State University.

Crutchfield had arguably the best game of his career. He’ll be joining White in Tallahassee. Xavier Stinson put the Fighting Indians up three scores in the first half when Champ Monds connected with him from 50 yards out for a touchdown. He’s committed to the University of Iowa. Meanwhile, Champ Smith recently signed with the University of Illinois.

The players said they enjoy bonding with Pastor Moore during the weekly Friday prayer breakfasts on game days. The athletes said the breakfasts – which sometimes feature guest speakers – help build fellowship and put them in the right mind frame.

“We get our mentality built over here (at the Citrus Bowl), but the breakfasts help keep our mentality stable,” Stinson said. “It’s another way to keep us on the right path.”

Parents of the athletes said they felt immense pride that their children competed in the state championship that was broadcast on the National Football High School Network. Bob Burbic said his son Bobby Burbic, a senior who played in Saturday’s game, is also part of the National Honor Society, plays basketball and lacrosse, and is a member of the choir at First Methodist Church.

“He’s got a full plate. If you watch these games, his drive motivates the team. He’s always uplifting his teammates,” the older Burbic said. “It’s cool to watch your son turn into a really good man.”

Araseli Zamarripa, mother of Romeo Vargas, said she was super excited to see her son, a senior, and his teammates contend in the history-making match.

“He’s such a big dude, but the sweetest guy ever,” Zamarripa said. “He’s so happy to be an Indian.”