7 reasons why the Venice Indians could unseat the Lakeland Dreadnaughts in Class 4S

This has become somewhat of a internet rivalry, but could become an annual one on the field when it comes to state titles between Venice-Lakeland

VENICE, FLORIDA- Two programs within the classification of Class 4S have been somewhat back and forth towards one another throughout the off-season. 

Lakeland and Venice. 

If you don’t remember, we will refresh your memory a little bit. These two teams have faced off multiple times in the last year and a half. Once in a spring game and the other in a state championship. Lakeland won both times. 

Photo courtesy of Venice Football

It’s the 863 vs. 941 and the Dreadnaughts have had the Indians’ number. Now that longtime head coach Bill Castle has retired, has that slightly opened the window of opportunity for Venice? 

Well, we think the Indians have a shot at unseating the Dreadnaughts in Class 4S this fall and we give you our seven primary reasons down below. 

7. Experienced offensive line 

Not taking anything away from last year’s offensive line group, but this was a greener one than what head coach John Peacock is used to. 

Just one returner from the 2021 Class 8A state championship in Matthew Peavley, Jr., who was an SBLive Florida All-South Suncoast selection, but that was it when it came to meaningful experience. 

Now linemen like Anthony Tanaka and Matthew Locicero have a year of starting experience under their belt and make this offense that much more of a well-oiled machine. Oh yeah and Peavley Jr. is back for his senior season as well. 

6. Skill position upgrades 

We’d be remised if we didn’t mention some of the talent that has found their way over to ‘The Island’ over the last few months. 

Really, one of the most notable transfers of the entire off-season was that of 5-star talent Charles Lester III, who left Sarasota Riverview to come over to the Indians. 

He’s not just a lockdown defender at cornerback, but Lester III can also provide depth at the wide receiver position as well for Venice. Last season for the Rams, Lester III picked off five passes and caught 34 passes for over 340 yards on offense at receiver.

Add in wide receivers Griffin Gisotti (Cardinal Mooney transfer) and Zycarl Lewis (Carrollwood Day transfer) into the mix and the offense is re-stocked. 

It’s hard to ignore that Venice’s off-season transfers have made this team better, especially at the skill positions. 

5. Early season tests 

It’s always tricky for Venice when it comes to putting its regular season schedule together, but noticeably the Indians will start off the 2023 campaign with their toughest matchups. 

A home game against a much improved Armwood bunch followed by a trip out to Traz Powell Stadium to face last year’s Class 2S state champion Cocoa before taking on an always talented Miami Northwestern team. 

That’s a tough three-game stretch for any team in the Sunshine State. An end-of-the-year contest against Clearwater Academy International will be tough as well. 

One advantage plays into the Indians’ favor in 2023: 8 home games versus 2 away games. 

4. Quarterback play

Play from Brooks Bentley last season was solid for Venice and some of his heroics helped bring the Indians back to the state championship game. Could it get better though this fall? 

That answer we believe is yes. Why’s that? The additions via transfer of Jadyn Glasser and Ryan Downes. Both quarterbacks own Power 5 offers already and will be in line for big 2023 campaigns, whoever wins the starting role. 

Glasser at South Plantation last season, threw for 2,624 yards and 25 touchdowns. Many view Glasser as a sleeper that could explode for a big statistical season. Downes (IMG Academy transfer) didn’t see the field anywhere near as much as Glasser did in 2022, but is absolutely capable of getting the starting nod. 

Whether it’s Glasser or Downes, quarterback play could be better than a year ago. 

3. Double Trouble in the backfield 

Enough about the quarterbacks already, how about the guys they’d be handing the ball off to? 

When you think about the combination of an experienced offensive line and two really good running backs, how much throwing will Glasser or Downes have to do? 

The combo of junior Jamarice Wilder and senior Alvin Johnson III is a dangerous one for opposing defenses this fall. Wilder as a sophomore rushed for 898 yards on 142 attempts and scored 12 touchdowns. Johnson III on the other hand nearly rushed for 1,000 yards, going for 951 on 205 touches and 11 touchdowns. 

Safe to say this is one of the Top 10 backfields in Florida right now and will have a huge part in helping lead Venice back to the Class 4S state championship game. 

2. Ultra talented secondary 

This was already a pretty dang good secondary before Lester III landed at Venice. 

Deylen Platt, Chad Fleming and Carter Dalton return to the secondary, but now throw in an elite talent like Lester III and it makes it difficult to throw against Venice’s defense on Friday nights. 

Platt is a 3-star cornerback according to 247Sports, with offers from schools like Florida Atlantic, Illinois and Ole Miss on the table. Fleming is a 2-sport star and oozes with athleticism at defensive back. Dalton can play at strong safety or linebacker and packs a punch as a hybrid. 

Needless to say, the secondary is a very solid unit top to bottom. 

1. Championship pedigree 

Three state championships and the hunger for more fuel the Indians year in and year out. 

Winning titles has become the standard for Peacock’s teams and the phrase ‘#ITSJUSTDIFFERENTHERE’ has been the motto for the last few years. 

Maybe because it is. 

17 district championships, 11 regional titles and state championships in 2000, 2017 and 2021 have created a rich culture of winning at Jay Powell Stadium. 

Losing isn’t much of an option for a program that puts so much into winning year in and year out. With the talent, experience, coaching and championships under their belt, believing they can get back to the mountaintop isn’t so much a matter of if, but more so of when they will hoist an FHSAA state crown again.  

Andy Villamarzo can be reached at andyvillamarzo@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @Andy_Villamarzo.