Lakeland, Venice Clash Today

Here is a preview of Saturday’s state championship football game.

Larry Blustein December 17, 2022 @ 06:52 AM

In addition, Lakeland also boast some impressive Class of 2023 standouts such as Darian Anderson (OG, 6-2, 325), Rolijah Hardy (OLB, 6-1, 225), Shadarian Harrison (CB, 6-0, 170), Chevaughn Hibbert (DT, 6-2, 285), Tyler Jefferson Tyler Jefferson 6'2" | 220 lbs | QB Fort White | 2023 FL (DE, 6-3, 205), Donares Johnson Donares Johnson 6'0" | 200 lbs | LB Lakeland | 2023 FL (RB, 5-10, 170), Jerrod Johnson (S, 6-0, 175), Larry Jones Larry Jones 6'1" | 230 lbs | LB Lakeland | 2023 FL III (LB, 6-2, 240), Dontay Joyner (CB, 6-0, 170), (LB, 6-2, 220), Idris King (DE, 6-3, 230) and cornerback Kamaurri McKinley (6-2, There are also Guerlens Milfort Guerlens Milfort 6'2" | 275 lbs | DL Lakeland | 2023 State FL (DE, 6-2, 275), K'Darius Parker (TE 6-2, 225), Zachary Pleuss Zachary Pleuss 6'0" | 180 lbs | QB Lakeland | 2023 FL 170), Robert Riley Robert Riley 6'2" | 185 lbs | LB Lakeland | 2023 FL (OLB, 6-2, 185), Melvin Robinson Jr. (OT, 6-5, 295), Michael Singleton (CB, 6-3, 190), Devin Vass (OL, 6-6, 255), Jhoelle Velazquez (WR, 5-9, 155), Tyler J. Williams Tyler J. Williams 6'2" | 190 lbs | WR Sumner | 2023 State FL (WR, 6-5, 194), Gernorris Wilson (OT, 6-5, 300), Twan Wilson (Athlete, 6-2, 175) and receiver Daidren Zipperer (6-1, 170).

THE DREADNAUGHTS ARE LOADED FOR THE FUTURE

Juniors Jayren “Pat” Dennis (WR, 6-4, 185), Markell Johnson (RB, 5-10, 180), Devontae Kendrick (OL, 6-4, 330), Omari Mixon (TE, 6-2, 200), Jack Proctor (DE, 6-3, 190), D'Marius Rucker (RB, 5-9, 175), Joshua Smith Joshua Smith 6'3" | 180 lbs | DB John Carroll | 2026 FL (OLB, 6-2, 220), Jamar Taylor Jr Jamar Taylor Jr 6'1" | 205 lbs | WR Lakeland | 2024 FL . (WR, 6-2, 195), Omari X. Thompson (DL, 5-11, 225), Michael Walker Michael Walker 6'0" | 185 lbs | WR/DB/DB Fort Myers | 2026 FL (RB, 6-1, 235) and athlete Brayshon Williams Brayshon Williams 5'11" | 170 lbs | DB Lakeland | 2024 State FL (6-0, 175).

Also keep an eye on Class of 2025 standout Isaiah Pratt (LB, 5-10, 210) as well as some other young contributors.

DREADNAUGHTS (13-0)

Clearwater, W 42-6

WINTER HAVEN, W 39-6

KISSIMMEE OSCEOLA, W 25-22

LAKELAND LAKE GIBSON, W 47-14

Bartow, W 38-0

Lakeland George Jenkins, W 49-0

CLEARWATER ACADEMY INTERNATIONAL, W 44-6

Lakeland Kathleen, W 35-0

St. Petersburg Lakewood, W 48-20

LAKELAND LAKE GIBSON, W 48-0

NEW PORT RICHEY MITCHELL, W 47-10

LAKE MINNEOLA, W 41-8

KISSIMMEE OSCEOLA, W 14-7

The Indians rebounded from a slow start against quality competition to have quite an impressive season. Seniors Collin Adkins (DT, 6-3, 260), Brooks Bentley (QB, 6-2, 190), Jack Huber (OLB, 6-2, 190), Rkisch Hyppolite (P, 5-9, 160), Fin Jones Fin Jones 6'5" | 240 lbs | TE Cardinal Mooney | 2023 FL (TE, 6-6, 235), Trenton Kintigh (DT, 6-2, 270), Kirill Kotov (PK, 5-11, 170), Kai Miller (LB, 6-0, 200), Keyon Sears (WR, 5-7, 145), Larry Shannon III (WR, 6-2, 170), Elliott Washington Elliott Washington 6'0" | 195 lbs | OL Venice | 2023 State FL (CB, 6-1, 190), Jaquavious Washington Jaquavious Washington 5'9" | 150 lbs | DB Sarasota | 2023 FL (FS, 5-8, 170), Damon Wilson Damon Wilson 6'4" | 230 lbs | DL Venice | 2023 State FL (DE, 6-5, 240) and Sage Youtzy (FS, 6-0, 180).

Juniors Lijah Cecil (OG, 6-5, 285), Carter Dalton Carter Dalton 6'2" | 220 lbs | LB Venice | 2024 FL (OLB, 6-2, 190), Chad Fleming (RB, 6-0, 176), David Galloway (DT, 6-1, 205), Nicholas Garza (OT, 6-3, 250), Alvin Johnson III (RB, 5-11, 170), Jordan Joseph (LB, 5-11, 195), Nicholas Leroux (OC, 6-1, 268), Matthew Peavley Matthew Peavley 6'2" | 300 lbs | OL Venice | 2024 FL (OG, 6-2, 285), Deylen Platt Deylen Platt 6'3" | 175 lbs | DB Venice | 2024 State FL (CB, 6-4, 175), Keshawn Reid (OG, 5-7, 225), Eli Seed (OLB, 5-11, 180) and Hudson Traeger Hudson Traeger 6'4" | 225 lbs | TE Venice | 2024 FL (LS, 6-3, 250) have also made a major contribution.

Class of 2025 sophomores Brody Cleary (OT, 5-11, 204), Ryan Matelevich (WR, 6-0, 180) and Jamarice Wilder Jamarice Wilder 5'9" | 180 lbs | RB Venice | 2025 State FL (RB, 5-10, 176) have also helped in getting the Indians to Fort Lauderdale.