JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — For the second week in a row, the Trinity Christian defense found themselves on the goal line of a marquee match up needing a stop to win the game. Last week in overtime, they weren’t able to stop King Boylston and Ed White from the 2-yard line. Yet this week, they stopped University Christian from the 2-inch line to come away with a redemptive victory. Yet not without controversy.
The game even started in unconventional fashion.
Neither team could generate much offense during its first two possessions before lightning in the area forced a delay of approximately 30 minutes. Before the weather interruption, Trinity defensive back Terrell Pinkney provided some physical play to cause incompletions, while University Christian defensive lineman Geedarious Thomas recorded a big sack.
When play resumed, Trinity finally broke through.
Quarterbacks Terel Dallas and Hicks Zarah rotated throughout the game, with Dallas primarily handling the passing duties. However, Trinity caught University Christian off guard when Dallas kept the ball on a zone-read from the 5-yard line and raced around the right side for a touchdown.
Trinity carried a 7-0 lead into halftime.
University Christian came out with a different level of energy in the second half. The Christians used their size and physicality to slow Trinity’s rushing attack, with linebacker Matthew Hammett and defensive tackle Julius Larosa making plays on Trinity’s opening drive of the half.
Then came the move that changed the game for University Christian.
Kyree Wilson, who had spent much of the first half at defensive back while Jon Asbey handled the running-back duties, was inserted into the backfield.
Wilson immediately made an impact.
He cut through the Trinity defense, broke multiple tackles and raced into the end zone for a touchdown. The score gave University Christian the spark it needed.
Following several Trinity offside penalties, University Christian elected to go for two. Quarterback Harrison Leddy followed his jumbo package into the end zone, giving the Christians an 8-7 lead in the third quarter.
Trinity, however, answered immediately.
On the first play of the ensuing drive, Dallas dropped back and delivered a perfectly placed pass to Dylan Richards down the left sideline. Richards beat his defender off the line, caught the ball in stride and raced 89 yards for a touchdown.
It was one of the biggest plays of the night.
The spectacular throw and catch-and-run electrified the Trinity crowd and put the Conquerors back in front 14-8.
University Christian had a chance to tie or take the lead in the game, but an interception by Trinity’s Za’khari Greene faulted that attempt. There was a flag thrown on that play, but after a conference, the flag was picked up and pass interference was not called on Trinity.
Interception! Trinity's Za'khari Greene with a nice overhead grab . Confusion on the play as the referees threw a flag for pass interference but picked up the flag! Pick goes to Greene! pic.twitter.com/3MHolOuFWF
— Duval Sports D1 (@DuvalSports) August 29, 2026
University Christian would not let up. Big plays by defensive tackle Gavin Craig to stop the run for a loss set the tone for the Christian’s momentum shift.
Yet it was the spectacular plays by Kyree Wilson on defense, who decided to take the game over. Trinity tried to go back to Richards but Wilson was not having it picking off the pass with a leaping grab.
Trinity had other chances to build its lead, but penalties repeatedly erased big plays.
Running back Micah Anderson appeared to break an 80-yard touchdown run, only to have the play nullified by an illegal-motion penalty. Later, another long completion from Dallas to Richards was wiped away because of an illegal-procedure penalty.
What was billed as a highly competitive contest between two historic championship football programs, was a flag fest. University Christian received a side-line warning before the game even began. They were also penalized for not wearing mouth guards before the whistle was blown.
Penalties are killing Trinity right now.. all three of these plays called back! Long run by Micah Anderson.. long run and catch as well by Dylan Richards! Trinity leading 7-0 but flags have hurt both teams tonight! Halftime! pic.twitter.com/dOf9PZAsJ0
— Duval Sports D1 (@DuvalSports) August 29, 2026
Head Coach Verlon Dorminey was modestly introspective of the penalties. “We have to play with more discipline. We had a center who didn’t set his butt down on one play, and another.. our quarterback got ansy and sent one of our the players in motion..we just have to limit those mistakes” said Dorminey.
The officiating would reach cataclysmic levels during the chaotic finish.
With less than 12 seconds remaining, University Christian advanced the ball to the 2-yard line on a run by Wilson. The Christians made several attempts to punch the ball into the end zone.
Trinity’s defense refused to break.
The Conquerors were flagged for consecutive offside penalties, moving the ball closer and closer to the goal line. With 21 seconds remaining, University Christian still could not find the end zone from the 1-yard line.
Then, with six seconds remaining, Trinity was not penalized for a blatant off-sides again as the situation became even more confusing as the clock continued to run.
Trinity would be flagged for another off-sides penalty leaving 3 seconds on the clock. University Christian lined up for a final play again, as Trinity’s defense got in position.
Suddenly the horn sounded, leaving players, coaches and everyone in the stadium standing still while officials discussed what had happened.
The head referee would turn on his microphone…
He explained that once the ball was reset, the clock started on his whistle and University Christian did not get the ball snapped before time expired.
It was a goal-line stand for the Conquerors. For Trinity, the victory was particularly significant coming one week after a heartbreaking 42-40 overtime loss to Ed White. The Conquerors were in another late-game defensive situation and, this time, found a way to finish.
Despite those mistakes, Trinity’s speed helped offset University Christian’s size advantage and ultimately proved to be a major factor in the matchup. Yet it was Trinity’s front led by 6’3, 293 pound Adrian Williams, along with 6’3, 290lbs Jamarii Banks, 6’1 315lbs Oshea McKenzie and 6’3 265lbs Semaj Kelly that provided pressure and unmovable mass in the trenches. Standing tall when it mattered the most.
In a game that featured a lightning delay, big plays, missed opportunities, nearly 20 penalties and one of the wildest endings of the young high school football season, Trinity Christian held off University Christian 14-8 Friday night at Conqueror Stadium.
The victory was more than just a rivalry win. The game was a District 1A-5 contest, giving Trinity an early advantage in the district race and strengthening its position in the race for a playoff spot. Trinity improved to 1-1, while University Christian also moved to 1-1.
The win also gives Trinity an important district victory early in the season. The Conquerors are classified in FHSAA District 1A-5, and district results will play a major role in determining the postseason picture.
What’s Next?
Trinity Christian will travel to face Lincoln on September 4, looking to move above .500 and build on its hard-fought district victory.
University Christian will return home to face Lecanto on September 4. After opening the season with a 31-29 victory over Ponte Vedra before falling to Trinity, the Christians will look to regroup and get back into the win column.
For both teams, Friday night’s game showed just how important every possession can be in the District 1A-5 race.
For Trinity, the biggest lesson was simple: finish.
After letting a late lead slip away against Ed White in Week 1, the Conquerors found a way to make the final defensive stand against University Christian.
And this time, they walked away with the win.
