LEAD Prep Academy Kings Beat NJCAA #1 College of DuPage
The LEAD Prep Academy Kings finished their home schedule with the biggest win in their program’s young history, beating the College of DuPage Chaparrals 25-24 in a thriller.
The Kings showed their prowess on offense and defense, proving that in the biggest moments, they can perform at the highest of heights. The approach wasn’t perfect, but to beat the 5-time consecutive NJCAA Division III Champions, this is as good of a victory as any.
“We have an opportunity to chase greatness,” Head Coach Alex Grignon said after the game. This win marks the most monumental victory in the program’s history.
“Credit to the opponent,” General Manager Louis Adams said. “This was a heavyweight matchup with a couple of programs playing hard, and we’re happy to come out on top.”
LEAD Prep Academy threw a 70% completion rate throughout Saturday’s contest, including impressive stat-lines from Davion Reese and Brick Sandridge IV. Sandridge was 14/24 with 157 yards, with a touchdown and an interception, while Reese threw for 130 yards on 15/21 completion rate, and 2 TDs.
After allowing a touchdown on the opponents’ opening drive, the Kings muscled up the field before Sandridge took a shot deep and connected with Emere Atkins for the 35-yard touchdown to tie it up. DuPage would kick a field goal minutes later, and a 10-7 advantage for the home side would continue into halftime.
In the second half, with each step the Chaparrals took, LEAD Prep Academy fired right back. After DuPage took a 17-7 lead, Reese would find Atkins in the endzone to bring the deficit back down to three. Atkins would finish with 13 catches, 130 yards and 2 TDs.
In the 4th quarter, DuPage would score once more and go up 24-14. A long drive and a goal-line stop would force Carson Hurley to take a chip-shot field goal for the Kings, cutting the deficit to 7. Peter Tuccini’s defense had one job, to get a stop by any means necessary.
Five plays into the drive for the Chapparals, Martez Langford picked the ball off for the Kings and LEAD Prep Academy had the ball back in their possession. Coach Grignon knew the Kings defense could get it done.
“Coach Tucc brings passion and energy every day,” Grignon remarked, reflecting on their time together. They both played safety at Northern Michigan University together, and have maintained a relationship since the late 2000s. “Pete is exactly the type of coach I thought I was bringing in, and I couldn’t be happier with him.”
With less than 3 minutes to go, Reese would lead the charge for the Kings, as quick strikes to Atkins and Hussein Hamie would sustain the drive. A 25-yard pass to Mykel Collier-Dixon would put LEAD Prep just one point behind DuPage with 41 seconds left, 24-23. A PAT from Hurley was the next step.
All the pressure in the world was on LEAD Prep to score one more point and send it to overtime. The ball was snapped; the kick went up and was blocked on impact. While it felt like time stood still in the stadium, all 11 Kings had their head on a swivel, and the ball was recovered and still alive in the hands of the kicking team. 2 laterals later, the football would find its way into Hurley’s arms, and he would find the open lane to run in and score the game-winning 2-point conversion, putting the Kings ahead, 25-24. The crowd was ecstatic, and Coach Grignon was too.
“[The 2-point conversion is] one of the craziest things I’ve experienced. I’m so happy for the kids and their effort.”
With 41 seconds to go, DuPage gave their best shot at marching up the field, but the Kings defense would stop them again, giving the offense the ball back to take a knee and expire the clock. LEAD Prep Academy would walk off the field, winners of 2-straight matchups featuring NJCAA programs, the latter of which ranking #1 in the country for multiple seasons in a row, with five straight national championships.
This also ends their home season, as they remain undefeated at the Legacy Center, all-time.
The Kings will begin their road schedule, with the next game beginning at 2pm ET, on September 19th, returning to play the Chapparals in Glen Ellyn, IL.
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