Venice (Florida) steamrolls DeLand in 4S state semifinal
VENICE, FLORIDA- All the talk heading into the week was the impressive movement at DeLand High School behind second-year head coach Rick Darlington.
The former Apopka head coach made waves bringing his vaunted rushing attack back to the Sunshine State and leading the Bulldogs to states in just his second year.
It seems like Venice's backfield might've taken all that talk a little personal. The Indians' backfield duo of Alvin Johnson III and Jamarice Wilder combined to rush for 286 yards in a 51-21 rout of DeLand in a Class 4S state semifinal at Powell Davis Stadium.
With the victory, it sets up a rematch of last year's Class 4S state championship between Venice and Lakeland, a 21-20 winner over Buchholz. The two teams will meet on Dec. 9 at 8 p.m. at Bragg Memorial Stadium.
Everything looked very promising for the Bulldogs (11-3) on their first possession of the game. DeLand quarterback Tyron 'TJ' Moore guided the offense right down the field, finishing the drive with a 11-yard Javon Ross touchdown run to put the Bulldogs up 7-0 in the first period.
It would take less than two minutes for Venice (14-0) to answer DeLand's opening drive score as Wilder capped the Indians' first possession on a 20-yard touchdown run. After a Bulldogs' punt on their next possession, the Indians took over with designs on putting another touchdown on the board and taking control of the game.
Mission accomplished and then some.
Venice got the ball back and on the second play, Johnson III scampered 80 yards to pay dirt, giving the Indians a 15-7 lead. On the following kickoff, Indians head coach John Peacock rolled the dice and went for the onside kick and Venice ended up recovering.
With the ball and the lead, the Indians began to add on to their advantage. Wilder (nine carries, 104 yards) scored for the second time on the night, this time from 30 yards out. Up with a commanding 22-7 lead in the first quarter, Peacock's team would never look back or ever feel threatened by DeLand the rest of the way.
Central Michigan commitment Jadyn Glasser barreled his way into the endzone early in the second quarter on a 1-yard touchdown plunge. The rout was on from there by the Indians as they held Venice out of the endzone the rest of the opening half, though allowing 243 first half offensive yards.
Glasser added another touchdown run just before halftime, building Venice's lead to 36-7. Knowing they would get the ball right out of halftime, the Indians wasted no time in getting to the running clock for the fourth time in a row this postseason. Johnson III (eight carries, 182 yards) scored on a 3-yard run, putting Venice ahead 44-7 and putting into effect the running clock for the remainder of the game.
The Indians are back in the state championship game looking for redemption against a Dreadnaughts team that defeated them a year ago at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale. Now Venice looks to pay back the favor with a state title victory themselves this time over Lakeland.
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 Indian Football)
-- Andy Villamarzo | villamarzo@scorebooklive.com | @sblivefl
