Venice has only had two road games this year.
The Indians now have two overtime wins as well.
Venice downed longtime foe Lakeland 32-25 on Friday, Sept. 4, needing two extra periods of overtime to notch the win. The Indians won their other road game at Rabun Gap (Ga.) in overtime on Aug. 21.
The Indians jumped out to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter and looked primed to run away from the Dreadnaughts. Venice had no issues moving the ball in their first two possessions, scoring on a 4-yard carry from Dorien Jones, then cashing in on a Lakeland interception with an 8-yard touchdown run from Mike Blakely.
A lightning delay came right as the horn marked the end of the first quarter, and it could not have been timed better for Lakeland. With the Indians
rolling and up two scores, the Dreadnaughts got a mini halftime to talk things over after the opening frame.
"We kind of lost momentum there with the rain delay when I thought we were rolling really well," said Venice head coach John Peacock. "A little undisciplined with pre-snap penalties and things of that nature, but real happy with the way that we battled. Second overtime of the season in a short season. It says a lot."
The hour-long break gave Lakeland a much needed respite while stifiling the momentum that Venice had pieced together. Midway through the second quarter, the Dreadnaughts came away with a fumble recovery after an Indian fourth down try, and converted with an 11-yard touchdown carry from Xavion Mitchell.
The Dreadnaughts came away with an interception to close the half, marking two takeaways in the second quarter and cutting the Indian lead to 14-8.
Venice started the second half with a three-and-out and then punted on the following drive, and Lakeland took the lead with a 19-yard carry from Rashard Kelly.
In came Jones, who was invaluable again in another Venice win. The FIU commit barreled in another touchdown carry, bowling over a Dreadnaught linebacker at the goal line and giving the Indians a 22-15 lead at the end of the third quarter.
Lakeland had another response, however, and Kelin Hendrix ran in a short QB keeper that evened things up at 22-22.
Hendrix was Lakeland's main offensive threat, and the Dreadnaughts largely ran designed runs for the junior signal caller. He finished the night with around 150 rushing yards on 20 carries while going 6-of-9 with two interceptions in the air.
With just under 3 minutes to play and star receiver Tyree Mannings Jr. out with a foot injury, the Indians took possession around midfield.
The Dreadnaught defense rose to the challenge again, forcing a third-and-long before an incredible pass breakup from outstretched defensive lineman AJ Willis at the line of scrimmage forced a Venice fourth-and-long. Lakeland would have a chance at a game-winning drive.
An illegal participation penalty negated the big play and moved the Indians up to fourth-and-1 in Lakeland territory. Both teams had been marred by non-stop illegal participation penalties all game, and it nearly cost Lakeland the game in regulation. Instead, Venice elected to punt with 45 seconds left, and Lakeland took a knee before heading into overtime.
Lakeland's first possession in overtime was chaotic, and the officials did the Dreadnaughts no favors in crunch time.
After inching up to the half-yard mark on fourth down, the Dreadnaughts had confusion getting the play call in and set. Right at the last millisecond, Lakeland head coach Marvin Frazier called a timeout, but not before penalty flags hit the dirt.
From there, the officials conferred and talked with both head coaches. Lakeland came out of the stoppage with a play call, and lined up at the goal line for their fourth-down try.
After both teams got to the ball and lined up, an official stood over the ball and walked it back 5 yards. An incredulous coach Frazier had just learned that the officials did in fact call a delay of game, and the call he sent in would not work from 6 yards out.
The Dreadnaughts sent out a confused field goal unit, which did not line up in time. Another delay of game penalty, and the Dreadnaughts went from an attempt at the goal line to a 28-yard field goal try - which was true.
Venice's offense was held off for their first overtime possession, including a touchdown-saving pass breakup from Lakeland's Dom Payne on third down and settled for a tying field goal.
The Indians started the second overtime with the ball, and again the Indians had to battle for every inch. Payne came up with a touchdown saving tackle at the goal line on third down, setting the stage for a fourth down try.
Cue Jones, who hammered in a short carry that gave Venice the lead back. He muscled in the 2-point try on the following play.
Jones was sensational in the win, popping pads on all 27 of his carries. He tallied around 250 rushing yards and three touchdowns.
"We didn't beat Lakeland in those two state championships (2022 and 2023)," Jones said. "So coming out here to beat them was just a big accomplishment for us and the coaches. This game was personal to me, we lost to them in my freshman year in the state championship - so coming out here and performing and showing we can compete with them is what it's all about."
The go-ahead touchdown was followed immediately by a tip-drill interception from Kymani Reed, who had the earlier interception in the first quarter. Reed knew coming into the game that it would have to be hard-fought.
"We were expecting to have to play all four quarters, maybe even overtime," Reed said. "It was a great opportunity to play Lakeland. I would do it all over again, any day, every day. We knew we would have to fight, fight, fight."
The win was particularly sweet for Peacock, who lost those two state championship games to Lakeland.
"I don't know if takes anything away from what they took from us," Peacock said. "But to come here and win a game in their stadium is always an accomplishment."
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Venice escapes Lakeland with 32-25 double-overtime win
