The game began with the freshmen getting the first 6 minutes of the game. Several key third down runs by young Venice QB Zach Ferlage took the ball down deep into Naples territory.....and then the six minutes were up and both teams starting units trotted out on the field for a third down. QB Trey Burton hit RB Justin Grant in the flat and after several nice moves in space, Venice had first and goal from the one. Burton took it in for a score (extra point no good).
The Venice defense was dominant in the first half and was led by the unrelenting pressure of DE Brandon Wilkinson. The 6'4 terror put three shots on young Naples QB Billy Crook causing a questionable incomplete pass and a fumble. Wilkinson is a super athlete who plays with a lot of intensity.
In the second quarter, Grant burst through the middle of the line virtually untouched and scampered for an 82 yard touchdown showing great speed and Venice was up 12-0 (extra point failed). Grant had played some RB as a sophomore, but mostly WR/S as a junior. He finished with 10 carries for 182 yards and was playing CB on defense for the Indians.
Naples was unable to mount much offensively until a well timed fake punt from deep inside their own territory gained 44 yards. The drive stalled, but on the following possession, Crook went left, found some space, and ran 60 yards for a TD to cut the lead to 12-7.
Venice responded with a drive which featured another long run by Grant and he eventually capped it off with a three yarder to put Venice up 18-7 (conversion failed). Midway through half-time the one word that would describe Spring Football in Florida this year happened....'rain'. And this time accompanied by lightning. After the delay, it was as if the teams had changed uniforms. Credit the Naples staff for making some key adjustments on both sides of the ball.
Crook started to show the reasons why the Naples Staff is so high on his potential. Midway through the third he scored for a second time with a 10 yard run and added a two point conversion to pull Naples to within three, 18-15. At the beginning of the 4th quarter, he showed his arm hooking up with WR Cameron Schlagel for a 22 yarder and Naples was up 22-18.
After another stop, Naples kicked a field goal to go up 25-18 with 3 minutes and 40 seconds to play. It looked like Burton was going to march Venice down the field after he hooked up with Josh Boyle on a 59 yard pass....but two plays later Lucas Foreman picked off Burton to get a stop for Naples. Foreman is a player who will be well known around the state over the next two years. The 6'2 would be junior has speed, athleticism, a high game IQ and will be counted on to be a key piece to the always dominant Golden Eagle defense.
The Venice defense stepped up and forced their first stop of the second half giving Burton one more chance to take them down the field. He found Boyle again for 24 yards and the Indians were on the march. However, the Naples defense stiffened and sacked Burton on 4th down to preserve the victory.
Venice will compete in 5A Region 3, District 10 with Manatee, Sarasota, Sarasota Riverview, and North Port.
Naples will compete in 3A Region 3, District 12 with Lely, Barron Collier, Golden Gate, East Lee County, Lehigh, and Cypress Lake.
GAME NOTES
Congratulations to the Naples baseball team who won the State Championship and completed a dominant season. Kyle Zech, the projected starter for next season at QB, was with the baseball team.
Burton finished 5-15 for 120 yards and ran for 35 yards.
In the second half, Crook went 6-11 for 94 yards and went over 100 for the game rushing.
Venice stand out center Brian O'Leary was playing OT and DT.