Lakeland Christian football tops Victory in overtime

St. John's two-point conversion in OT lifted the Vikings a stunning come from behind win

LAKELAND, FLORIDA – They’ll be talking about this one 20 years from now.

Lakeland Christian coach Danny Williams rolled the dice and opted to go for a do-or-die 2-point conversion in overtime, which shocked his quarterback Parker St. John.

But the senior took matters into his own hands and bulldozed his way into the end zone to give the Vikings a stunning 28-27 come-from-behind win over Victory Christian at Southeastern University on Friday.

“I probably wouldn’t have called it if he hadn’t been so determined on the run before that when it really wasn’t there,” Williams said. “He just ran so hard and made it happen.

“I was going to kick (the extra point) if we eventually scored. But he made that run like that (on the touchdown) and was so determined, I said well, I am going to put it in his hands.”

Lakeland Christian quarterback Parker St. John turns on the gas and bears down on the end zone while getting a block from Zack Lester. St. John scored a 2-point conversion on the play to give the Vikings a stunning come-from-behind win in overtime Friday at Southeastern University / Photo by Bill Kemp

It was the first meeting between the two Lakeland-based programs and a pivotal game in the 1S District 5 standings, which kept LCS (6-0, 3-0) in sole possession of first place in the district and its perfect record intact.

“It was great. I think everyone got what their money was paid for and what they thought it would be,” Williams said. “They are a great team and we are probably going to see each other again in the playoffs, and that is the one that really matters.”

Trailing 27-20 in overtime, St. John scored on a 5-yard run to pull LCS within one point. He then looked to his bench and was shocked. Williams called for the 2-point conversion attempt instead of kicking the extra point and forcing the game into double-overtime.

“It was by far the most exciting game (I’ve ever played in),” St. John said. “It just means a lot, this game has been in the making for like 11 years or something. We have always wanted to play them and it just never worked out. But this is definitely my favorite high school game that I have ever played.”

Lakeland Christian running back Dre Hughes makes a move to the outside with Victory Christian defender Eric White in hot pursuit on Friday at Southeastern University / Photo by Bill Kemp

St. John took the snap from center and ran left towards the end zone where he cracked shoulder pads with a host of Victory Christian defenders at the goal line, but he bullied and twisted his way in the end zone to win the game.

“I honestly didn’t know they were making that decision,” St. John said. “I just heard them yell out that formation. I thought we were going to kick, I wasn’t paying attention. So I said, OK, let’s go, let’s run it.

“I just planted my foot and told myself, ‘You’re going to get into that end zone.’ I knew they would meet right before the goal line but I told myself I would get in there.”

Victory junior running back Rashad Orr gave the Storm a brief 27-20 overtime lead after plowing into the end zone on a 1-yard run. It was his second touchdown of the night. He also scored on a 3-yard run in the third quarter to give the Storm (4-3,1-1) what appeared to be a solid 20-7 lead.

Victory Christian running back Rashad Orr makes a turn up field on Friday at Southeastern University in a showdown game against Lakeland Christian / Photo by Bill Kemp

But Lakeland Christian mounted a courageous-and-swift fourth quarter comeback, knotting the game 20-20, after scoring on a 5-yard run from St. John and a startling 58-yard touchdown run by Jacob Allen with 6:35 remaining.

Victory Christian still found itself in a strong position to win, and marched down the field in hopes of kicking a game-winning field goal. Twice Storm drives seemed to stall and twice Victory head coach Kendrick Stewart gambled on fourth down and picked up the first down to keep possession of the ball and the clock ticking toward zero.

“It was definitely electric tonight,” Stewart said. “Danny Williams, I respect that guy and I respect his program. … This game brought out the city and it is what everyone wanted. It was a great game that went all the way down to the wire. I couldn’t be more proud of my guys.”

Victory Christian quarterback Jackson Benton unloads a pass over the middle against Lakeland Christian on Friday at Southeastern University / Photo by Bill Kemp

The first gamble was faking the punt and letting linebacker Martell Thomas run for the first down on a direct snap. When the drive stalled again, Stewart decided to fake the punt a second time and let a scrambling Jozia Scott fling a left-handed pass down the sidelines that was gathered in by defensive back Marlon McClendon for the first down.

“We had faith in our guys, and we had been running (those plays) and we trusted the call. We went twice with all the chips on the table. This was the first meeting in history so we just wanted to make sure we put on a show. But kudos to Parker St. John, he is just tough.”

With three seconds remaining, Victory attempted the first of three game-winning field goal attempts by nationally ranked kicker Joel McGrath. The first, from the 22-yard line, just missed the uprights but LCS was flagged for a personal foul on linebacker Mack Estrada.

The second field goal attempt was good from the 12-yard line, but a Victory was flagged for an illegal formation which halted the sideline celebration and a premature Gatorade dowsing of Stewart. The third attempt, a 42-yarder, was no good, sending the game into overtime.

Earlier in the game, Victory had taken a 7-0 lead just 30 seconds into the game after Eric White recovered an LCS fumble in the end zone. But LCS answered right back on its ensuing possession, getting a 3-yard touchdown run from St. John to tie the game 7-7.

From there, McGrath connected on a pair of 33-yard field goals in the second quarter to give Victory a 13-7 halftime lead.

Lakeland Christian players celebrate a wild win in the end zone after rallying to beat Victory Christian in overtime Friday at Southeastern University / Photo by Bill Kemp