Lakeland, Venice Clash Today
In this article:
They played last spring and Lakeland held an advantage, but when the unbeaten Dreadnaughts and defending state champion Venice get together today at 1:00 in the 4S state title game at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, the stakes will be much higher.
In what has been an exciting weekend, the afternoon contest promises to be one of the most competitive contests of the second week of the state championships.
For the Dreadnaughts the senior class has been impressive with University of Miami commit Cormani McClain Cormani McClain 6'1" | 170 lbs | OL Lakeland | 2023 State FL (6-2, 180) leading the way.
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 Senior | 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 (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 (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 Sarasota 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 Sarasota Booker | 2025 State FL (RB, 5-10, 176) have also helped in getting the Indians to Fort Lauderdale.
INDIANS (9-3)
MIAMI NORTHWESTERN, L 33-26
NAPLES, W 12-11
BALTIMORE ST. FRANCES ACADEMY, L 24-17
SANFORD SEMINOLE, W 24-17
Sarasota, W 46-7
Sarasota Riverview, W 31-21
IMG ACADEMY, W 41-9
CLEARWATER ACADEMY INTERNATIONAL, L 26-20
FORT MYERS RIVERDALE, W 87-20
LEHIGH, W 39-0
SARASOTA RIVERVIEW, W 33-15
GAINESVILLE BUCHHOLZ, W 42-35
Contact Larry Blustein at Floridakids1@aol.com for more information.