VENICE (SNN-TV) – Tomorrow night, a war will be waged on the battlefield known as Powell-Davis Stadium, as Venice High School hosts Miami Columbus in the 8A State semifinals. The stakes are high, as Venice looks to get back to the title game for the time since 2017.
Our Friday Football Fever Game of the Week between the Venice Indians and the Columbus Explorers is a tale of two behemoths. The mighty Venice offense, squaring off with a juggernaut Columbus defense.
With both teams entering Friday’s match-up after momentous victories, the on-field product couldn’t be hotter.
Venice comes in scorching after a 49-7 routing of West Orange last week’s regional final, and Columbus enters ablaze as well, defeating Miami Palmetto for the 2nd time this season, this time around by a final of 22-14.
Coach Dave Dunn’s Explorers tout one of 8A’s premier defenses, holding opponents to 10 points or less 8 times this season, and not allowing 30 points or more in any game at all.
Indians head coach John Peacock recognizes Columbus’ strengths, and likens them to an earlier opponent this season that got the better of his squad. “Looking back at our schedule their probably very similar to a Cardinal Gibbons, as far as their discipline and the way they play. We’re going to have our hands full Friday night.”
But when discussing defenses, one cannot ignore the Production on that side of the ball from the Indians either.
In their last 5 games since their October 23rd loss to Cardinal Gibbons, Venice has allowed 42 points combined.
The Venice defense receives contributions from each level of the defense, whether it’s the defensive line and Damon Wilson, the line backing core led by Martin Ramos or the secondary spear headed by junior Elliot Washington, who says the Indians defensive production is key to a state title return. “I feel like we got the best defense in the area. I feel like if we come out this week really hot, coming up with the ball, hungry, we’re going to be in the state championships.”
Kickoff from Powell-Davis Stadium is set for 7:30pm, and SNN will have coverage tomorrow evening leading up to kickoff, and then postgame tomorrow night at 11pm, on Friday Football Fever.
