CLASS 7A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW: Venice seeking first state title since 2021 while Lake Mary makes its state championship debut

#2 LAKE MARY (12-2) vs. #1 VENICE (13-1)

When: Sat. Dec. 14th

Where: South Dade Kia Field at PItbull Stadium, Miami

Kickoff: 12:30 p.m. EST

Live Broadcast: NFHS Network – Click Here To Watch

LAKE MARY RAMS (12-2)

• Head Coach: Scott Perry (20th year, 144-78 overall)
• State Finals Appearances: 1 – 2024 (7A)

KEY PLAYERS

• #13 QB Noah Grubbs (Jr.): Grubbs has thrown for 2,781 yards and 34 touchdowns this season. He has also thrown 10 interceptions. Grubbs has committed to Notre Dame. He also has offers from Florida and Michigan.
• #4 RB Isaiah Thomas (Sr.): Thomas has rushed for 1,101 yards and 15 touchdowns this season. He is committed to Bowling Green.
• #1 WR Carson Friedman (Sr.): Friedman is the Rams leading receiver with 828 receiving yards and seven touchdowns this season.
• #11 OLB Luke Prieto (Sr.): Prieto leads the Rams with 91 tackles and 13 sacks.
• #6 MLB Eli Straker (Sr.): Straker has three interceptions for the Rams on the season.

2024 RESULTS – HOW THEY GOT HERE

* – District Game
*** – Playoff Game

• 8/23 – at Cardinal Gibbons (Fort Lauderdale), 49-20 (W)
• 8/30 – Osceola (Kissimmee), 24-7 (W)
• 9/6 – at Lakeland, 35-34 (OT) (L)
• 9/13 – BYE
• 9/20 – at Dr. Phillips (Orlando), 26-21 (L)
• 9/27 – at Hagerty (Oviedo), 52-3 (W)*
• 10/4 – North Miami Beach, 42-7 (W)
• 10/11 – BYE
• 10/14 – at Seminole (Sanford), 29-14 (W)*
• 10/18 – at Evans (Orlando), 31-6 (W)
• 10/25 – Lake Brantley (Altamonte Springs), 52-12 (W)*
• 11/1 – Bishop Moore (Orlando), 34-16 (W)
• 11/7 – BYE
• 11/15 – DeLand, 49-14 (W)***
• 11/22 – Spruce Creek, 52-32 (W)***
• 11/29 – Seminole (Sanford), 42-3 (W)***
• 12/6 – Dr. Phillips (Orlando), 24-13 (W)***

TEAM STATS

• Passing Yards: 2894
• Passing Yards per Game: 206.7
• Rushing Yards: 1967
• Rushing Yards per Game: 140.5
• Rushing Yards per Carry: 5.9
• Receiving Yards per Catch: 15.1
• Yards per Game: 347.2
• Sacks: 33.5
• Interceptions: 15
• Fumble Recoveries: 4
• Caused Fumbles: 0
• Average Score: 38.2

VENICE INDIANS (13-1)

• Head Coach: John Peacock (18th year, 164-43 overall)
• State Finals Appearances: 6 – 2000 (5A), 2017 (7A)*, 2021 (8A)*, 2022 (4S), 2023 (4S), 2024 (7A)

KEY PLAYERS

• #2 QB Jayce Nixon (Sr.): Nixon threw for 2,423 yards and 30 touchdowns this season. He also threw seven interceptions.
• #3 RB/KR Jamarice “Gata” Wilder (Sr.): Wilder is a dynamic playmaker for the Indians. He rushed for 1,738 yards and 25 touchdowns. Wilder is committed to Louisville. He also has offers from USF, UCF, and Liberty.
• #1 WR Winston Watkins Jr. (Sr.): Watkins had a big season for the Indians, hauling in 1,075 yards and 17 touchdowns. He has signed with Mississippi. He also has offers from Ohio State, Miami, and FSU.
• #8 MLB Landon Masters (Sr.): Masters led the Indians with 167 tackles this season.
• #5 DE Asharri Charles (Jr.): Charles led the Indians with 14.5 tackles for a loss and 10 sacks.

2024 RESULTS – HOW THEY GOT HERE

* – District Game
*** – Playoff Game

• 8/23 – Tampa Bay Tech, 63-40 (W)
• 8/30 – Miami Northwestern, 48-42 (OT) (W)
• 9/6 – at Bishop Verot (Fort Myers), 71-56 (W)
• 9/13 – at Port Charlotte, 49-41 (W)
• 9/20 – Cocoa, 54-51 (W)
• 9/27 – at Lehigh (Lehigh Acres), 50-7 (W)*
• 10/4 – IMG Academy, 21-16 (L)
• 10/11 – BYE
• 10/18 – at Clearwater Central Catholic, 27-20 (W)
• 10/25 – Sarasota, 76-0 (W)*
• 11/1 – at Riverview (Sarasota), 42-8 (W)*
• 11/7 – BYE
• 11/15 – Haines City, 56-7 (W)***
• 11/22 – Newsome (Lithia), 56-17 (W)***
• 11/29 – West Orange (Winter Garden), 55-26 (W)***
• 12/6 – Columbus (Miami), 33-27 (W)***

TEAM STATS

• Passing Yards: 2658
• Passing Yards per Game: 189.9
• Rushing Yards: 3780
• Rushing Yards per Game: 270.0
• Rushing Yards per Carry: 7.5
• Receiving Yards per Catch: 13.7
• Yards per Game: 459.9
• Sacks: 29.5
• Interceptions: 11
• Fumble Recoveries: 18
• Caused Fumbles: 10
• Average Score: 49.7

THOUGHTS ON THE GAME

The Class 7A State Championship features two of the most prolific offenses in the state. Venice averages 49.7 points a game, while Lake Mary averages 38.2. Both teams have talented players at the skill positions and experienced quarterbacks.

Lake Mary relies on the arm of junior quarterback Noah Grubbs and running back Isaiah Thomas. They will need to control the clock and keep Venice’s offense off the field if they want to win this game. Defensively, the Rams will have their hands full trying to contain “Gata” Wilder and Winston Watkins Jr. Key players on the Rams’ defense will be linebacker Luke Prieto and safety Eli Straker.

Venice relies on a balanced offensive attack, but their bread and butter is running back Jamarice “Gata” Wilder. The Indians can score in a variety of ways but they will be looking to establish the run early. Defensively, the Indians are led by linebacker Landon Masters and defensive end Asharri Charles.

This game has the potential to be a high-scoring affair. Whoever can make the most stops on defense might come away with a state championship.

PREDICTIONS

• Josh’s Pick: Venice
• Chris’s Pick: Venice
• Reno’s Pick: Lake Mary
• Massey Ratings (via On3): Venice 41, Lake Mary 31

An asterisk (*) next to a year in the State Finals Appearances section indicates the team was the state champion that year