WEST PALM BEACH, FLA. – After last year’s upset over True North Classical Academy in Miami, The King’s Academy decided to run it back on their schedule this year, and boy did this one not disappoint.
Both teams scrapped back and forth with big hits and lots of penalties to open the game as there was no score at all in the first quarter.
The seal finally broke with three minutes left in the second as King’s quarterback James Dailey took it upon himself to score to put a red hot Lions team up in the lead.
Although this lead didn’t last long, within the dying seconds of the quarter True North pushed their way down the field and locked in a touchdown as the clock expired to send the game into halftime, as returning quarterback Zac Katz found freshman receiver James Rolle for a touchdown.
Kings got their response in the third, as Dailey would find his top target Javian Jones once again on the season to give Kings back the lead, but the game was way too close for comfort for either team.
True North, once again got a touchdown in the dying seconds of the quarter, really earning themselves the nickname of “Cardiac Titans” tonight. Katz went back to the air to find Kareem Brown to give True North back the lead to end the third.
Once again locked in a defensive battle as time quickly was running out in the game, James Dailey kept the ball and put it in the endzone for his second rushing touchdown on the night. The Lions followed up with a successful two-point conversion from Tristian Stewart. But even still, this game was still way too close for comfort.
True North with one final drive marched straight down the field. However, they were met with a great resistance and push back from the Kings defense. King’s looked to have this one put away with one final stop needed on a 3rd and 14. Kings did get their stop with ten seconds left on the clock. However, the refs ruled it as a pass interference and it gave the Titans one final chance to send this game home.
With time winding down, Katz placed a ball perfectly into the hands of Rolle for his second receiving touchdown of the night and stopping the clock at four seconds left in the game.
The atmosphere which was loud and electric at Kahlert Stadium suddenly died and became hollow and quiet, no one could believe it, except for the True North parents who witnessed a miracle.
The Lions did get the ball back but with four seconds left on the clock there was not much to be done. Dailey threw a quick checkdown pass which turned into multiple lateral attempts which resulted in a fumble being returned by True North for another touchdown, ending the game at 27-14.
