WEST PALM BEACH — Junior quarterback Dylan Fotz threw two fourth-quarter touchdown passes as Jupiter rallied from a 14-point deficit to stun previously unbeaten Palm Beach Lakes 15-14 on Thursday, Sept. 17.
The game originally began Sept. 3 but was suspended because of lightning with Palm Beach Lakes leading 7-0. When play resumed two weeks later, it appeared the Rams would pick up where they left off, building a 14-0 advantage and taking control through three quarters.
Jupiter's comeback began early in the fourth quarter when Palm Beach Lakes defensive tackle Raphael Ackerman recovered a fumble and mistakenly ran into his own end zone, resulting in a safety that put the Warriors (4-0) on the board.
The momentum swing energized Jupiter's offense.
Fotz connected with wide receiver Drew Larsen for a touchdown later in the quarter, then found tight end Ace Bogedan for the go-ahead score as the Warriors completed the improbable rally.
"We know we're the best team out here," Fotz said. "We started off slow, but we knew we'd get it going eventually."
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Jupiter scored all 15 of its points in the fourth quarter and shut out Palm Beach Lakes (3-1) after halftime.
"The defense started it," Fotz said. "They got stops for us. They gave us a chance. Then we got in rhythm."
The Warriors' defense delivered one final play to seal the victory when Larsen intercepted a pass from Rams quarterback Jordan Johnson late in the fourth quarter.
Jupiter's defense controlled much of the game, limiting Palm Beach Lakes on the ground and holding the Rams to just one offensive touchdown. The Warriors have now allowed only 31 points through four games.
Larsen starred on both sides of the ball, catching a touchdown pass and recording the game-clinching interception.
"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."
The junior entered the game with more than 100 receiving yards on the season. Thursday's touchdown was his fourth of the year, and the interception was his second.
Fotz finished with two touchdown passes, both in the decisive fourth quarter.
The comeback improved Jupiter to 4-0 for the third consecutive season. The Warriors previously posted a 46-0 shutout of Dwyer and surrendered just seven points against Palm Beach Gardens before allowing 14 points in each of their past two games.
Despite the dramatic victory, Larsen said the Warriors' focus has already shifted to next week's game at Wellington.
"We move on week to week," Larsen said. "We have to watch film and recover our bodies for next week."
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Inside Jupiter football's crazy comeback win over Palm Beach Lakes
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