Venice cruises past Sarasota Riverview in 4S, Region 4 final

The Indians rolled by the Rams, scoring 35 first half points en route to the win

It's just different here they say over off 1 Indian Avenue. 

There was nothing different about the second go round between the Venice Indians and Sarasota Riverview Rams in a Class 4S, Region 4 final on Friday night at Powell Davis Stadium. 

The Indians raced out to a 35-7 lead by halftime and never looked back as they soundly defeated the Rams 49-23 to advance to the Class 4S state semifinals. 

FINAL: Venice 49, Riverview 23@VeniceIndianFB picks up yet another regional championship and with the loss by Treasure Coast tonight, the Indians will host a state semifinal game next week. https://t.co/Lr5Bn2LO2U pic.twitter.com/WK4O42Wnrd

— Evan Lepak (@EvanMPLepak) November 25, 2023

Venice will host DeLand, a 37-6 winner over No. 1 seed Treasure Coast. The Bulldogs are making their first state semifinals appearance in nearly 15 years (2009). 

Early in the opening quarter, the Indians (11-2) looked like the same old team back to the same tricks as quarterback Jadyn Glasser hit Florida State commitment Charles Lester III on a 28-yard touchdown pass, giving Venice a 6-0 lead. 

Sarasota Riverview took its only lead of the game midway through the opening quarter as quarterback Braxton Thomas powered his way in for a 1-yard touchdown run. Leading 7-6, it seemed like for the brief moment the Rams could make things interesting. 

Instead, it would be Venice running away with things as they have throughout the playoffs. The Indians answered on their very next possession on the first play, with Glasser hitting wide receiver Zycarl Lewis on a quick pass that the speedster took 80 yards to pay dirt. 

From there on, the rout was on by Venice. John Peacock's group managed to score three more touchdowns before the halftime buzzer sounded. Glasser rushed for a touchdown and threw another to Lester III and running back Alvin Johnson got in on the action and found the endzone. 

Up 35-7 at halftime, Venice never took its foot off the proverbial gas pedal. 

Just one minute into the second half, the Indians added one more touchdown on the board as running back Jamarice Wilder punched in a 12-yard score to increase Venice's advantage to 42-7. 

Now Venice will host the state semifinals for the third straight year and welcome a DeLand team that's arguably one of the hottest right now in Florida. The Bulldogs are coached by former Apopka head coach Rick Darlington, who led the Blue Darters to three state championships in 2001, 2012 and 2014.

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FHSAA 2023 CHAMPIONSHIPS BRACKETS

2023 FHSAA CLASS 4M STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

2023 FHSAA CLASS 4S STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

2023 FHSAA CLASS 3M STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

2023 FHSAA CLASS 3S STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

2023 FHSAA CLASS 2M STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

2023 FHSAA CLASS 2S STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

2023 FHSAA CLASS 1M STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

2023 FHSAA CLASS 1S STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

2023 FHSAA CLASS 1R STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

(Photo courtesy of Venice Football Instagram)

-- Andy Villamarzo | villamarzo@scorebooklive.com | @sblivefl