Noah Grubbs Ends High School Career with a Miracle Finish - and a State Title
If you were watching the Florida Class 7A state championship game Friday night, you witnessed something that will be talked about for years. Noah Grubbs, the Notre Dame-bound quarterback, didn’t just lead Lake Mary to its first-ever state title - he did it with one of the most improbable, jaw-dropping finishes in Florida high school football history.
Down by six. No time left. One final snap.
Grubbs took the shotgun snap, rolled out, and launched a Hail Mary into the chaos of the end zone. The ball was tipped, caught, and then - in a play straight out of a movie - lateraled to a teammate, who crossed the goal line just as the final horn sounded. The extra point sealed a 28-27 win over Vero Beach, and just like that, Lake Mary was a state champion.
A Career-Defining Moment
This wasn’t just a game-winning play - it was a legacy-sealing moment for Grubbs. He’d been under pressure all night, taking hits, navigating a relentless Vero Beach defense, and still finding ways to move the chains.
The game was a back-and-forth battle, and Lake Mary never quite pulled away. But when it came down to one play, one throw, one chance, Grubbs delivered.
That’s what you want from your quarterback. That’s what Notre Dame saw when they recruited him. And that’s what Lake Mary needed in the biggest moment in program history.
Redemption Run Complete
Lake Mary’s journey to the title wasn’t just about one magical play. This was a team that came up short a year ago and spent the entire season fighting to get back to this moment.
Florida’s Class 7A is no joke - it’s as deep and competitive as any high school football bracket in the country. But led by Grubbs, Lake Mary weathered every challenge, every momentum shift, and earned the right to take another shot at the crown.
They made it count.
Why Notre Dame Should Be Excited
Grubbs committed to Notre Dame back in June 2024, choosing the Irish over a long list of Power 5 offers. And if Friday night’s finish is any indication, South Bend is getting more than just a highly rated quarterback - they’re getting a gamer.
A leader. A guy who won’t flinch when the lights are brightest and the pressure is at its peak.
You can’t teach what Grubbs just did. You can coach mechanics, refine footwork, and build strength.
But the ability to stay calm when everything is on the line? That’s either in you or it’s not.
And for Grubbs, it’s clearly there.
The Quarterback Room Outlook in South Bend
Notre Dame’s QB room is in transition, and Grubbs is stepping into a situation that offers a real opportunity. With Kenny Minchey entering the transfer portal, the path behind CJ Carr - the presumed starter - is wide open.
Grubbs isn’t expected to come in and take over immediately, but the door is open for him to compete for the backup role early. His size, arm strength, and feel for the game already check a lot of boxes. Add in the experience of leading a team through a playoff gauntlet and executing under extreme pressure, and you've got a freshman who could be ready to contribute sooner than most.
A Storybook Ending - and a New Chapter Ahead
Most high school careers end quietly. A final whistle, a handshake line, maybe a bittersweet hug from a coach. Grubbs’ career ended with a miracle - a ball floating through the air, a crowd holding its breath, and a touchdown that will live forever in Lake Mary lore.
Now, he heads to Notre Dame as a state champion, a proven winner, and a quarterback who knows how to finish. The Irish aren’t just adding talent - they’re adding someone who’s already shown he can deliver when the season is on the line.
And if Friday night was any indication, he’s just getting started.