Venice breezes by Immokalee in Florida 4S region semifinal
The Venice Indians could do no wrong in the opening quarter of Friday night's Class 4S, Region 4 semifinal against visiting Immokalee Indians.
Just about everything went wrong for the latter team and could never recover.
Venice rolled up 33 first quarter points and never looked back as the Indians rolled to a 56-14 victory over Immokalee at Powell Davis Stadium. With the victory, Venice will face Sarasota Riverview, a 35-30 winner over Manatee, in a rematch from the regular season.
It was an ominous start from the outset for the Indians of Collier County as Venice went ahead 2-0 on a safety by linebacker Chris Lee. Not too long later, running back Jamarice Wilder found the endzone on an 8-yard run that put Venice ahead 10-0.
In an avalanche of points being scored in the first period, the play that stood out the most among them all came from Florida State commitment Charles Lester III with 1:29 remaining in the quarter.
Lester III caught a hitch pass from quarterback Jadyn Glasser and made six defenders miss en route to a 53-yard touchdwon pass-and-catch to put Venice ahead 33-0 in the first quarter.
Immokalee (6-6) eventually found pay dirt in the third quarter on a 7-yard run by Jayden Mixon. Venice (10-2) would add one more touchdown right before halftime when Glasser connected with tight end Jackson Scott on an 11-yard strike.
Up 49-7 at intermission, Venice cruised the rest of the way in the second half with most of it being played under a running clock. Glasser, a Central Michigan commitment, ended the night throwing three touchdowns.
Now the Indians will face off against a Rams group they defeated 35-14 at home back on September 29th. Since that time, Sarasota Riverview has gone 5-2 with the losses coming to Berkeley Prep and Clearwater Academy International, respectively.
FHSAA 2023 CHAMPIONSHIPS BRACKETS
2023 FHSAA CLASS 4M STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
2023 FHSAA CLASS 4S STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
2023 FHSAA CLASS 3M STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
2023 FHSAA CLASS 3S STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
2023 FHSAA CLASS 2M STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
2023 FHSAA CLASS 2S STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
2023 FHSAA CLASS 1M STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
2023 FHSAA CLASS 1S STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
2023 FHSAA CLASS 1R STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
(Photo courtesy of Venice Indians Football Instagram)
-- Andy Villamarzo | villamarzo@scorebooklive.com | @sblivefl
