Venice has solely had two highway video games this yr.
The Indians now have l.
Venice downed longtime foe Lakeland 32-25 on Friday, Sept. 4, needing two further intervals of additional time to notch the win. The Indians received their different r) in additional time on Aug. 21.
The Indians jumped out to a 14-0 lead within the first quarter and regarded primed to run away from the Dreadnaughts. Venice had no points transferring the ball of their first two possessions, scoring on a 4-yard carry from Dorien Jones, then cashing in on a Lakeland interception with an 8-yard landing run from Mike Blakely.
A lightning delay got here proper because the horn marked the top of the primary quarter, and it couldn’t have been timed higher for Lakeland. With the Indians rolling and up two scores, the Dreadnaughts bought a mini halftime to speak issues over after the opening body.
"We type of misplaced momentum there with the rain delay once I thought we had been rolling very well," stated Venice head coach John Peacock. "Just a little undisciplined with pre-snap penalties and issues of that nature, however actual pleased with the way in which that we battled. Second additional time of the season in a brief season. It says quite a bit."
The hour-long break gave Lakeland a a lot wanted respite whereas stifiling the momentum that Venice had pieced collectively. Halfway via the second quarter, the Dreadnaughts got here away with a fumble restoration after an Indian fourth down strive, and transformed with an 11-yard landing carry from Xavion Mitchell.
The Dreadnaughts got here away with an interception to shut the half, marking two takeaways within the second quarter and reducing the Indian result in 14-8.
Venice began the second half with a three-and-out after which punted on the next drive, and Lakeland took the lead with a 19-yard carry from Rashard Kelly.
In got here Jones, who was invaluable once more in one other Venice win. The FIU commit barreled in one other landing carry, bowling over a Dreadnaught linebacker on the aim line and giving the Indians a 22-15 lead on the finish of the third quarter.
Lakeland had one other response, nonetheless, and Kelin Hendrix ran in a brief QB keeper that evened issues up at 22-22.
Hendrix was Lakeland's primary offensive menace, and the Dreadnaughts largely ran designed runs for the junior sign caller. He completed the night time with round 150 dashing yards on 20 carries whereas going 6-of-9 with two interceptions within the air.
With just below 3 minutes to play and star receiver Tyree Mannings Jr. out with a foot harm, the Indians took possession round midfield.
The Dreadnaught protection rose to the problem once more, forcing a third-and-long earlier than an unimaginable go breakup from outstretched defensive lineman AJ Willis on the line of scrimmage compelled a Venice fourth-and-long. Lakeland would have an opportunity at a game-winning drive.
An unlawful participation penalty negated the massive play and moved the Indians as much as fourth-and-1 in Lakeland territory. Each groups had been marred by continuous unlawful participation penalties all sport, and it almost price Lakeland the sport in regulation. As a substitute, Venice elected to punt with 45 seconds left, and Lakeland took a knee earlier than heading into additional time.
Lakeland's first possession in additional time was chaotic, and the officers did the Dreadnaughts no favors in crunch time.
After inching as much as the half-yard mark on fourth down, the Dreadnaughts had confusion getting the play name in and set. Proper on the final millisecond, Lakeland head coach Marvin Frazier known as a timeout, however not earlier than penalty flags hit the filth.
From there, the officers conferred and talked with each head coaches. Lakeland got here out of the stoppage with a play name, and lined up on the aim line for his or her fourth-down strive.
After each groups bought to the ball and lined up, an official stood over the ball and walked it again 5 yards. An incredulous coach Frazier had simply discovered that the officers did in actual fact name a delay of sport, and the decision he despatched in wouldn’t work from 6 yards out.
The Dreadnaughts despatched out a confused subject aim unit, which didn’t line up in time. One other delay of sport penalty, and the Dreadnaughts went from an try on the aim line to a 28-yard subject aim strive – which was true.
Venice's offense was held off for his or her first additional time possession, together with a touchdown-saving go breakup from Lakeland's Dom Payne on third down and settled for a tying subject aim.
The Indians began the second additional time with the ball, and once more the Indians needed to battle for each inch. Payne got here up with a landing saving sort out on the aim line on third down, setting the stage for a fourth down strive.
Cue Jones, who hammered in a brief carry that gave Venice the lead again. He muscled within the 2-point strive on the next play.
Jones was sensational within the win, popping pads on all 27 of his carries. He tallied round 250 dashing yards and three touchdowns.
"We didn't beat Lakeland in these two state championships (2022 and 2023)," Jones stated. "So popping out right here to beat them was only a huge accomplishment for us and the coaches. This sport was private to me, we misplaced to them in my freshman yr within the state championship – so popping out right here and performing and displaying we are able to compete with them is what it's all about."
The go-ahead landing was adopted instantly by a tip-drill interception from Kymani Reed, who had the sooner interception within the first quarter. Reed knew coming into the sport that it must be hard-fought.
"We had been anticipating to should play all 4 quarters, perhaps even additional time," Reed stated. "It was an amazing alternative to play Lakeland. I’d do it once more, any day, daily. We knew we must struggle, struggle, struggle."
The win was significantly candy for Peacock, who misplaced these two state championship video games to Lakeland.
"I don't know if takes something away from what they took from us," Peacock stated. "However to come back right here and win a sport of their stadium is all the time an accomplishment."
This text initially appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: n
