A Change in the Weather
The tail end of December last year found the weather on the colder side in the town of Venice. Inside the Venice High weight-room however, the young men who would form this year’s football team were sweating. They had begun what would take them on a path towards a district championship and a spot in the play-offs. Working hard over Christmas break they slowly started to become a team. They moved a little further down that path everyday. With each passing month the weather became hotter and hotter, and the team became closer and closer. Summer workouts were grueling and when two-a-days rolled around some wondered if this was all worth it.
The weather is cool once again in Venice, and all the hard work that these young men have done is starting to pay off. It is November and the Indians are in the play-offs. When the weather changes so does the excitement in the air. There is something different and special; the fans are more intense, the stadium is louder and more crowded. On the field, the hits seem harder, there is more emotion, and players seem to elevate themselves to another level. They realize that there is a sense of urgency to make things happen.
Throughout the course of a season the most frequent question about an opponent is, “are they any good.” While the answer varies from time to time, during the play-offs you will very rarely come across any slouches. There are 32 very good football programs all aiming for one thing, December 14th and a State Championship.
Venice has not participated in a play-off game since 2005. That year they squared off against an unbeaten and highly touted Fort Myers team. Venice shocked everyone as they beat the Green Wave 28-0. Many of this year's seniors were on that time and can remember the feeling of upsetting Fort Myers. Andy Czuprynski was one such senior. “I remember being really nervous before the game.” Does Andy still feel that way? “I feel more confident this season, just because we have been playing really well and have more experience.” The Indians have always played the role of underdogs, and they seem to thrive off of that. No one gave them a chance in 2000, until it was all said and done and they were ranked seven in the nation. In 2002, which this year’s team harkens back to, they had to fight and claw every bit of the way, ending their season with a regional championship.
Those teams had certain things in common; they all had big plays by big playmakers when it counted. Difference makers, young men that when it seemed as if they were down, they knew they weren’t out. They kept their heads up and fought back.
Tonight will be a game of firsts. It will be the first time that Coach Peacock will be coaching a playoff game as a head coach. It will be the first home play-off game that any current student on campus will be a part of. This will be Coach Shannon’s first playoff game as the Defensive Coordinator. Trey Burton will take his first snap in a playoff game. This evening will be a special one. Memorable moments, big plays, big games. Tonight will be no different. As Venice takes the field tonight, it will be a little colder; it will be a little more intense. Everyone will be a little more keyed up. Venice’s players will be looking to make the big plays in the big game. Moving further down that path, their eyes are focused on the task at hand.
Look for Venice to rebound from a tough loss to Booker last Friday night. While the final score may not have gone their way, Venice could have easily found themselves on the other end. The Indians played a very competitive and athletic team and held their own. It was a great tune-up going into the play-offs, and a huge bonus is that everyone came out healthy. Cape Coral will prove to be another tough opponent, as they like to spread you out with their no-huddle offense and four wide receivers. It should be a memorable game.
The tail end of December last year found the weather on the colder side in the town of Venice. Inside the Venice High weight-room however, the young men who would form this year’s football team were sweating. They had begun what would take them on a path towards a district championship and a spot in the play-offs. Working hard over Christmas break they slowly started to become a team. They moved a little further down that path everyday. With each passing month the weather became hotter and hotter, and the team became closer and closer. Summer workouts were grueling and when two-a-days rolled around some wondered if this was all worth it.
The weather is cool once again in Venice, and all the hard work that these young men have done is starting to pay off. It is November and the Indians are in the play-offs. When the weather changes so does the excitement in the air. There is something different and special; the fans are more intense, the stadium is louder and more crowded. On the field, the hits seem harder, there is more emotion, and players seem to elevate themselves to another level. They realize that there is a sense of urgency to make things happen.
Throughout the course of a season the most frequent question about an opponent is, “are they any good.” While the answer varies from time to time, during the play-offs you will very rarely come across any slouches. There are 32 very good football programs all aiming for one thing, December 14th and a State Championship.
Venice has not participated in a play-off game since 2005. That year they squared off against an unbeaten and highly touted Fort Myers team. Venice shocked everyone as they beat the Green Wave 28-0. Many of this year's seniors were on that time and can remember the feeling of upsetting Fort Myers. Andy Czuprynski was one such senior. “I remember being really nervous before the game.” Does Andy still feel that way? “I feel more confident this season, just because we have been playing really well and have more experience.” The Indians have always played the role of underdogs, and they seem to thrive off of that. No one gave them a chance in 2000, until it was all said and done and they were ranked seven in the nation. In 2002, which this year’s team harkens back to, they had to fight and claw every bit of the way, ending their season with a regional championship.
Those teams had certain things in common; they all had big plays by big playmakers when it counted. Difference makers, young men that when it seemed as if they were down, they knew they weren’t out. They kept their heads up and fought back.
Tonight will be a game of firsts. It will be the first time that Coach Peacock will be coaching a playoff game as a head coach. It will be the first home play-off game that any current student on campus will be a part of. This will be Coach Shannon’s first playoff game as the Defensive Coordinator. Trey Burton will take his first snap in a playoff game. This evening will be a special one. Memorable moments, big plays, big games. Tonight will be no different. As Venice takes the field tonight, it will be a little colder; it will be a little more intense. Everyone will be a little more keyed up. Venice’s players will be looking to make the big plays in the big game. Moving further down that path, their eyes are focused on the task at hand.
Look for Venice to rebound from a tough loss to Booker last Friday night. While the final score may not have gone their way, Venice could have easily found themselves on the other end. The Indians played a very competitive and athletic team and held their own. It was a great tune-up going into the play-offs, and a huge bonus is that everyone came out healthy. Cape Coral will prove to be another tough opponent, as they like to spread you out with their no-huddle offense and four wide receivers. It should be a memorable game.
