Advertisement

Here's what you need to know about Lakeland vs. Venice in the 4S state final

roy fuoco, the ledger
·3 min read
Lakeland's Larry Jones reacts after scoring a touchdown against Osceola in the third quarter.
Lakeland's Larry Jones reacts after scoring a touchdown against Osceola in the third quarter.

Lakeland vs. Venice

WHEN: 1 p.m., Saturday

WHERE: DRV PNK Stadium, Fort Lauderdale

COACHES: Bill Castle, Lakeland; John Peacock, Venice

RECORDS: Lakeland 13-0, Venice 9-3

ADMISSION: $12 with advance purchase and $15 day of (via Ticketmaster only)

PARKING: Pre-purchase through Park Mobile.

ABOUT LAKELAND: Lakeland is ranked No. 1 in the FHSAA's Class 3S power rankings and No. 14 in the nation by MaxPreps. Lakeland is looking for its eighth state title. Its seven state titles are the most in Florida by a public school and are tied for seventh overall. D'Marius Rucker has 932 yards rushing and needs 68 to reach 1,000 yards. Don'Ares Johnson has 710 yards rushing, and Markel Johnson has 677 yards. Zach Pleuss has completed 101 of 151 passes for 1,470 yards with 13 touchdowns and four interceptions. Tyler Williams (29-407), Daidren Zipperer (23-458) and Jhoelle Velazquez (22-275) are the top three receivers. Williams has returned two punts and one kickoff for touchdowns. He also has six reaching touchdowns and one rushing touchdown. The Dreadnaught have 21 interceptions, led by Shadarian Harrison with five and Ka'Maurri McKinsley with three. Lakeland is averaging 345.3 yards of total offense while allowing 125.8 yards per game. Rolijah Hardy leads with 55 solo tackles, and Larry Jones has 42 solo tackles. Jones leads with 16 sacks, and Idris King has 11 sacks.

Venice quarterback Brooks Bentley hurls a pass against Lakeland as Tyler Jefferson attempts to block the attempt in a spring contest.
Venice quarterback Brooks Bentley hurls a pass against Lakeland as Tyler Jefferson attempts to block the attempt in a spring contest.

ABOUT VENICE: Venice won its third state title last season. Venice is ranked No. 5 in the FHSAA power rankings. Peacock is in his 15th year as head coach. Venice lost to Lakeland in the spring game last May. Quarterback Brooks Bentley has completed 144 of 248 passes for 1,794 yards with 21 touchdowns and three interceptions. He also has rushed for 454 yards. Alvin Johnson is the leading rusher with 850 yards, and Jamarice Wilder has rushed for 850 yards. Venice is averaging 202.3 yards. Ryan Matulevich has 50 catches for 673 yards, and Keyon Sears has 45 catches for 625 yards. Jack Huber has 71 solo tackles, and Dominic Wood has 67 solo tackles. Venice has 11 interceptions.

Lakeland's State History

ALL-TIME STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS (7): 1986 (5A), 1996 (5A), 1999 (5A), 2004 (5A), 2005 (5A), 2006 (5A), 2018 (7A)

ALL-TIME STATE RUNNER-UP FINISH (1): 2008 (5A)

Lakeland in 2022

Aug. 26 at Clearwater, W 42-6

Sept. 9 vs. Winter Haven, W 39-6

Sept. 16 vs. Osceola, W 25-22

Sept. 26 vs. Lake Gibson, W 47-14

Oct. 7 at Bartow, W 38-0

Oct. 14 at George Jenkins, W 49-0

Oct. 21 vs. Clearwater International, W 44-6

Oct. 28 at Kathleen, W 35-0

Nov. 4 vs. Lakewood, W 48-20

Nov. 11 vs. Lake Gibson, W 49-0

Nov. 18 vs. Mitchell, W 47-10

Nov. 25 vs. Lake Minneola, W 41-6

Dec. 2 vs. Osceola, W 14-7

Venice State History

ALL-TIME STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS (3): 2000 (5A), 2017 (7A), 2021 (8A)

ALL-TIME STATE RUNNER-UP FINISH (0): None

Venice in 2022

Aug. 26 vs. Northwestern, L 32-26

Sept. 2 vs. Naples, W 12-11

Sept. 15 vs. St. Frances, L 34-17

Sept. 23 vs. Seminole, W 24-17

Oct. 14 at Sarasota, W 46-7

Oct. 21 at Sarasota Riverview, W 31-21

Oct. 28 vs. IMG White, W 41-9

Nov. 4 vs. Clearwater International, L 26-20

Nov. 11 vs. Riverdale, W 87-20

Nov. 18 vs. Lehigh, W 39-0

Nov. 25 vs. Sarasota Riverview, W 35-15

Dec. 2 vs. Buchholz, W 42-35

This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Here's what you need to know about Lakeland vs. Venice in the 4S state final