Saturday, December 18, 2021

Venice Downs Apopka For Class 8A Title

     The Venice Indians outlasted the Apopka Blue Darters 35-7 on Saturday in the FHSAA Class 8A state championship at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale. The Indians, who moved up in classification from Class 7A during the offseason, captured their third state title in school history and their first since 2017. 
     Venice(14-1) moved out to 7-0 lead on their first possession at the 8:54 mark. Wide receiver Omari Hayes took a handoff and sprinted down the right sideline for a 60-yard touchdown. 
     Apopka(12-3) punted on the ensuing drive and Venice fumbled the ball away on the punt return at their own five-yard line. Three plays later, running back Zeldrick Roberts pushed through the right side of the line on a two-yard touchdown at 6:13 to tie it 7-7. 
     The Indians responded on their next possession with 3:14 left in the first. Quarterback Ryan Browne connected a 32-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Keyon Sears on the right side of the end zone and they led 14-7. 
     It became 21-7 for Venice with 2:21 to go in the second quarter. Blue Darters quarterback Andrew McClain tossed a screen pass to the right side that was tipped and intercepted by defensive lineman Damon Wilson in the end zone for a touchdown. 
     In the third quarter, the Indians increased their lead to 28-7 at the 9:05 mark. Sears was wide open and caught a 47-yard touchdown pass from Browne on the front right side of the end zone. 
     The Indians had a 28-point margin with 9:44 remaining in the fourth quarter. Browne completed a 58-yard pass to wide receiver Jeshawn Platt for the score.

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