5 takeaways from Venice's win on the road over Clearwater Central Catholic

Two of the state's top teams clashed in Pinellas County, with the Indians just edging out the Marauders

Venice High School football helmet. 2024 / Mike Lang / Sarasota Herald-Tribune / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

One of the top games in the Sunshine State took place in an area that was hit hard recently by Hurricane Milton between Clearwater Central Catholic and Venice.

Both teams reside in areas that had taken heavy damage from the storm, but were able to return to the practice field this week in order to play once again.

The Indians continued their winning ways and pulled off a narrow 27-20 victory over the Marauders, improving to 7-1 on the season.

High School On SI Florida gives you 5 takeaways from Friday night's game between the two Western Central Florida powers:

1. Jamarice 'Gata' Wilder is back

Two of the players on The Big 15: Venice running back Jamarice Wilder tries to avoid the grasp of Manatee defensive lineman Ean Johnson-Kelley during a game last season. / MATT HOUSTON/HERALD-TRIBUNE / USA TODAY NETWORK

The James Madison commitment made his return to Venice's backfield in a big way for the Indians on Friday night. Wilder, known by those in Sarasota County as 'Gata', rushed for a game-high 229 yards on just 19 carries and scored three touchdowns. For what Wilder brings to the lineup when he's healthy, it was a nice welcome back party for one of the South Suncoast's top players against a pretty good Clearwater Central Catholic defense.

2. CCC's defense held up for the most part

@CCCMaraudersFB defense with a stop on 4th Down with 2:48 remaining in the Game.@Andy_Villamarzo @SBLiveFL @HighSchoolOnSI pic.twitter.com/eSQPwY8hbV

— Alejandro Tamayo (@AlexTamayo22) October 19, 2024

The Marauders' defense were up against one of the highest scoring offenses in the entire state and were able to keep the Indians in check on the evening. Venice entered the game averaging 50.1 points per game, with CCC holding them to 27. Now its not to say Venice didn't have a big night yardage wise, with the Indians compiling over 430 yards of offense. Though it was the first loss of the season for the Marauders, it was a valiant effort by CCC's defense up against the juggernaught that is Venice's offense.

3. Venice's defense played pretty well, too

Jershaun Newton is stopped short of the Goal Line on 4th Down and that’ll do it.@Andy_Villamarzo @SBLiveFL @HighSchoolOnSI pic.twitter.com/SYBO2u0sOv

— Alejandro Tamayo (@AlexTamayo22) October 19, 2024

If we're going to be handing flowers out to the team's defense that was in the loss, let's hand out some to the club that won. Venice's defense did a nice job of containing Illinois commitment Jershaun Newton (11-of-19, 123 yards; 24 carries, 94 yards) and crew to 20 points, playing opportunistic throughout the night. The Indians' defense held the Marauders to less than 360 yards of offense, but most importantly made a huge stop at the very end of the game. Venice stopped Newton just a few yards short of the goal line with time expiring, preserving the win for the Indians.

4. Malaki Corbett turning into one of Venice's most trusted receivers

You probably know the names of Winston Watkins Jr. and Ryan Matulevich, both receivers with Power 4 offers. What about Malakai Corbett, though? The senior wide receiver has really come into his own as one of the team's top wide receivers with the way he's been playing lately. Corbett against CCC's defense hauled in six passes for 106 yards, leading all Venice pass catchers. Though a little undersized at 5-foot-8, 173 pounds, Corbett has proven to be a sure-handed receiver that can sneak behind defense's secondaries.

5. Florida governor Ron DeSantis attends the game

Florida governor Ron DeSantis chats with a first responder on the sideline of Friday's high school football game between Venice and Clearwater Central Catholic at Venice. / Alejandro Tamayo

Well, it's not everyday you see the governor of your respective state attend a high school football game. For Florida governor Ron DeSantis, he's been almost a lock every year making an appearance to a high school football game. In 2020, DeSantis showed up to a Niceville game and then a couple years ago after Hurricane Ian, attended a contest at Naples High School. This time around, DeSantis made his way to Clearwater, which was hit hard by Hurricane Milton recently.

5 takeaways from Glades Central's comeback victory over Sebring

Miami Central vs. Miami Norland video highlights and takeaways

---

Follow SBLive Florida throughout the 2024 high school football season for Live Updates, the most up to date Schedules & Scores and complete coverage from the preseason through the state championships!

Be sure to Bookmark High School on SI for all of the latest high school football news.

Download the SBLive App

To get live updates on your phone - as well as follow your favorite teams and top games - you can download the SBLive Sports app: Download iPhone App| Download Android App

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