Jupiter Warriors Erase 14-Point Deficit in Fourth Quarter to Stun Unbeaten Palm Beach Lakes, 15–14

The Jupiter Warriors trailed 14-0 heading into the fourth quarter on Thursday night. Twelve minutes later, they were 4-0.

Junior quarterback Dylan Fotz threw two touchdown passes in the final quarter as Jupiter came all the way back to beat previously unbeaten Palm Beach Lakes 15-14 in a game that doubled as one of the more dramatic finishes of the young high school football season. The contest was originally scheduled for September 3 but was suspended due to lightning with Palm Beach Lakes leading 7-0. When play resumed September 17, the Rams picked up where they left off — building a 14-0 lead and controlling the game through three quarters.

What followed was a comeback built on a freak play, a defense that locked in at exactly the right moment, and a receiver who contributed on both sides of the ball.

A safety changed everything

Jupiter's rally began when Palm Beach Lakes defensive tackle Raphael Ackerman recovered a fumble and mistakenly ran into his own end zone, resulting in a safety. That miscue — putting the Warriors on the board at 14-2 — shifted the momentum entirely.

“The defense started it,” Fotz said. “They got stops for us. They gave us a chance. Then we got in rhythm.”

Later in the fourth, Fotz connected with wide receiver Drew Larsen for a touchdown, then found tight end Ace Bogedan for the go-ahead score to complete the comeback.

“We know we're the best team out here,” Fotz said. “We started off slow, but we knew we'd get it going eventually.”

Larsen starred on both sides

Larsen was the standout performer of the night. The junior receiver caught the go-ahead touchdown — his fourth of the season — and then sealed the victory with a fourth-quarter interception off Rams quarterback Jordan Johnson with the game still in doubt.

“We fight through adversity,” Larsen said. “We kept fighting and fighting, and once the fourth quarter came, we knew it was time to lock in.”

Jupiter scored all 15 of its points in the fourth quarter and held Palm Beach Lakes scoreless after halftime. The Warriors' defense has now allowed only 31 points through four games this season.

Jupiter improved to 4-0 for the third consecutive season. Next up: a road game at Wellington.