Green Wave rally for dramatic win

DAYTONA BEACH — Father Lopez’s football season is alive and well thanks to a second half comeback for the ages.

Eddie Whipple finished with a pair of touchdowns, including the game-winning score in the first overtime, as the Green Wave (3-3) erased a late deficit to stun Lake Weir, 20-14, at Alumni Stadium.

“We preached family all week,” head coach Chris Stephenson said. “Family, family, family … fight for your brother … and they did.”

Heave and a prayer

Whipple’s walk-off wouldn’t have been possible without some magic from quarterback Andrew Acebal. Facing a third and 10 from his own 3 late in the game, the junior hit Isaiah Shirley for a 77-yard catch and run. Five plays later, Acebal tied the game at 14 with a 2-yard QB sneak on third and goal.

Acebal finished with 118 passing yards despite missing most of the first half due to concussion protocol.

“I have faith in Shirley to make that play and he did his job,” he said.

Just kidding

The late heroics forced the game to overtime, and the Lopez defense took over from there, forcing a turnover on downs on Lake Weir’s opening possession.

The Green Wave took back over from the Lake Weir 10 needing just a field goal to win, but they went straight for the jugular, handing the ball to senior Ryan Waddell, who rumbled into the end zone for what appeared to be the game-winning score.

However, the play was ruled dead due to an inadvertent whistle, setting up a third and goal.

“I could feel the fans’ breath on my neck,” joked Stephenson.

Walk-off

Luckily, the accidental whistle was a non-story, as Whipple ended the game on the very next play with a 5-yard score. The sophomore finished the night with 96 rushing yards, and also set the tone early with an 83-yard pick-6 that gave Lopez a 7-0 lead.

Lake Weir QB Deionte Simpkins finished with 97 rushing yards and his 26-yard touchdown pass gave the Hurricanes a 14-7 lead late in the fourth quarter.