Vinnie Portell
@VJPortell
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@BetSided Associate Editor (vincent @betsided .com) Freelance writer.
North Port, FL
Joined July 2009
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Malachi Wideman announces he will be signing with the University of Tennessee
46
260
1K
Malachi Wideman is on to the finals after three 60/60 dunks - the only player to throw down more than one perfectly scored dunk
Dunk 1 - (Over teammate
@ThomasShrader02
)
5
36
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Thomas Shrader makes his commitment to Florida State official as he signs his NLI in Championship Hall at Venice High School
@VeniceIndianFB
@VHSIndianSports
2
22
305
Malachi Wideman comes up with his 2nd TD of the night on a one-handed snag in the corner of the end zone and Venice is pulling away
2-point run no good
Venice 27 - Manatee 10
0:25 to go in 3rd Q
#SunPreps
6
45
243
Wideman strikes again.
This time is on a 40-yard heave from Ryan Overstreet and it’s a rout
Venice 49 - Plant 23
13.8 seconds to go in 3rd Q
4
46
223
Venice gets down to the American Heritage 2 yard line thanks to an INT by Martin Ramos
But Blazek throws a 98-yard pick 6 to top safety commit James Williams.
XP good
Patriots 27 - Indians 0, 8:52 to go in 2nd Q
#SunPreps
6
57
198
A Venice drive ends as Browne misses on his first pass of the day — this one intercepted by UCF commit Nikai Martinez at the Apopka 4-yard-line.
#SunPreps
3
13
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Final:
@VeniceIndianFB
34 - Manatee 17
The Indians ran for 263 yards and Malachi Wideman scored 3 TDs as they pulled away from the Hurricanes to win their fourth straight regional championship
4
18
136
Malachi Wideman wins the first-ever dunk-off in the City of Palms dunk contest over Samson Ruzhentsev
1
33
130
Venice 28 - Manatee 0, 10:54 to play
Omari Hayes scored his FOURTH TD of the night as he takes a dump off and muscles thru the Manatee defense for a 15-yard score.
#SunPreps
2
23
127
Final: Venice 3 - Doral Academy 2
The Indians win their sixth state championship after completing their second comeback in two days
1
45
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Final:
@VeniceIndianFB
35 - Columbus 7
The Indians have run over everyone in their path in the playoffs to return to the state final for the first time since 2017.
#SunPreps
2
16
121
Final:
@VeniceIndianFB
56 - Miami Northwestern 34
The Indians front 7 stuffed the Bulls’ run game and
@EscortDamarion
exploded for a 236-yard, 3 TD night.
#SunPreps
4
25
115
Venice celebrates as winners do - giving coach Wayne Robertson a little ice bath to celebrate the first state title in school history for the boys tennis team
2
16
98
Final:
@VeniceIndianFB
42 - Riverview 7
Indians RB
@EscortDamarion
ran for 284 yards and the defense shut out Riverview in the second half as Venice won its first district title since 2018.
#SunPreps
4
28
110
Final: Venice 9 - Creekside 8
The winning run scores on an error to home and the Indians will play for their sixth state title tomorrow at 7:30 pm
2
23
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Final:
@VeniceIndianFB
50 -
@TC_Jax_Football
49
Overstreet finds Wideman on 4th down for a TD and then Brian Taylor runs in the 2-point conversion to end the game and improve Venice to 2-1 in a thriller in Jacksonville
6
32
85
Final:
@VeniceIndianFB
62 - Palm Beach Lakes 35
Steffan Johnson has a night for the record books, rushing for 380 yards and 5 TDs and throwing for another score as the Indians pull away from the Rams to set up a rematch with Manatee for the regional championship
1
20
83
Looks like Alabama coach Nick Saban isn’t taking any time off after losing the national championship earlier this month.
Indians players
@E_WashingtonII
and
@Damon_wilson11
have been already offered by the Crimson Tide.
📸 from
@VeniceIndianFB
1
16
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Final:
@VeniceIndianFB
41 -
@EdgewaterFBall
7
Both sides of the ball worked in tandem for Venice as the defense gave the offense short fields that turned into touchdowns all night long.
#SunPreps
5
23
84
Final:
@VeniceIndianFB
35 -
@ApopkaFootball
7
The Indians jumped ahead early and didn’t let up as they won their third state title in program history.
#SunPreps
1
18
80
Breaking: Sarasota County will be allowed to host 25 percent capacity for fall sports games
For Venice High, that means 2,300 tickets will be made available for all home football games
4
17
74
Final:
@VeniceIndianFB
49 - West Orange 7
The Indians fell behind early, but scored 49 unanswered points behind 3 INTs, 7 sacks on defense and huge plays from
@EscortDamarion
,
@OmariHayes4
,
@jayplatt5
and
@ryanbrownexv
on offense — winning the regional title.
#SunPreps
2
18
74
Personal news: One week from today will be my last day covering sports in Southwest Florida for the Sun/Venice Gondolier.
Being a sportswriter for my hometown newspaper wasn't something I set out to do, but I'm so, so grateful it happened... (continued)
31
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The
@VeniceIndianFB
team is hoping to compete in the FHSAA state series this year
"I hope the majority of schools opt to compete for a state championship. We do not want St. Thomas Aquinas to opt out in hopes of avoiding us this year." -- Indians coach John Peacock
6
22
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Final:
@VeniceIndianFB
28, Braden River 21
Younts picks off Gagg to end the game and send Venice to the regional championship
#SunPreps
2
22
64
Venice High athletes
@ethanmort18
(UCF),
@WesWolff
(Maryland),
@SteffanJohnson
(Mich. State) and
@cbrantley22
(Mich. State) signed their National Letters of Intent tonight as they prepare to head to the next level
0
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Final:
@VeniceIndianFB
55 - Plant City 7
The Indians didn’t score on the opening drive, but scored a TD on all eight after that — dominating the Raiders in every phase of the game to move on to the regional semifinals next week.
#SunPreps
0
13
67
Final:
@VeniceIndianFB
48 - Cocoa 31
The Venice defense forced 4 turnovers - 3 from Brantley - and Ryan Overstreet threw for 5 TDs as the Indians all but lock up a playoff spot
0
13
61
From left to right: Blake Dean (FAU), Gabe Salgado (Saint Leo), Warnner Rincones (Broward) and Eli Owen (Keiser) sign their National Letters of Intent at Lemon Bay High School
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20
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Final:
@VeniceIndianFB
49 - Lehigh 0
The Indians continued their dominance on the road, staying undefeated away from Powell-Davis Stadium in a rout of the Lightning.
Up next for Venice will be the winner of East Lake vs. Palm Beach Lakes next Friday.
#SunPreps
1
16
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Final: Venice 1 - Creekside 0
A late goal once again propels the Indians to victory. Next up, they’ll play for the first state title in team history next Friday in DeLand
0
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State champion
@VHSIndianSports
coaches John Peacock, Brian Wheatley and Craig Faulkner pose with Venice mayor John Holic as the Champions Way street sign is unveiled in front of Venice High School
1
22
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Final:
@VeniceIndianFB
42 - Palmetto 10
The Indians (4-0) led the Tigers by just 11 after three quarters, but turned it on in the final quarter as
@EscortDamarion
(16 carries, 170 rushing yards, 3 TDs) helped Venice pull away.
#SunPreps
1
12
61
Seeing reports that FSU football commit Malachi Wideman has transferred to Venice.
The talented WR and basketball player will instantly upgrade both Indians teams and give Venice one of the best receiving corps in the state
1
11
54
Final:
@VeniceIndianFB
56 - Gulf Coast 6
The Indians scored two plays in and didn’t let off the gas as they put up all 56 of their points in the first half — moving to 7-0 and 3-0 in district play.
#SunPreps
3
8
59
Breaking: Sarasota County AD James Slaton says the school district will be ready to begin practice for the fall sports season on Monday, Aug. 24 - the first available date to do so
0
17
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Mac Guscette throws out a runner trying to steal second to end the 6th and sends Venice into the 7th with a four-run lead
Top 7: Venice 4, Gulf Coast 0
0
9
52
Final: Lemon Bay 59, Cape Coral 56
The 2018 Manta Rays are your District 7A-10 boys basketball champions
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Final:
@VeniceIndianFB
57, Bloomingdale 32
Venice shuts out Bloomingdale in the second half and claims its third straight Regional Championship. On to the state semifinals next week
0
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Final:
@VHS__Baseball
11, Doral Academy 1 (5 innings)
Orion Kerkering pitches a 1-hitter for the Indians as he's backed by 11 runs on 8 hits.
Venice will play Pace High School tomorrow night at 7:35 for the 7A State Title
1
20
50
Hearing Charlotte County will discuss the option of breaking off from the FHSAA and forming its own conference at tomorrow's county athletic directors meeting
13
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Final:
@VeniceIndianFB
50 - Homestead 13
The Broncos cut the deficit to 21-13 in the first half but wouldn’t score the rest of the game as the Indians pulled - advancing to the regional championship game
#SunPreps
0
7
53
Breaking:
@FHSAA
announces that all 8 of its football state championships will be played at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee from Dec. 16-19
1
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55
Coastal Carolina upsets No. 21 Louisiana, 30-27, to move to 4-0.
Former
@VeniceIndianFB
Jaivon Heiligh had a big hand in the win - with 8 rec. for 108 yds. and a TD
0
11
52
Final:
@VeniceIndianFB
56, Palmetto 28
The Indians are district champions for a school-record third straight season
1
11
50
Venice High has its largest ever group of athletes signing on National Signing Day today as 18 Indians signed their NLIs in football, baseball, softball, swimming, rowing and gymnastics.
#SunPreps
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Final:
@VeniceIndianFB
49 - Plant 30
The Indians pound Plant from start to finish as they pull away for the 19-point win in the Kickoff Classic at Dad’s Stadium
1
17
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Final: Venice 70 - Lyman 0
The Indians played as close to a perfect game as possible, scoring on offense, defense and special teams while not committing a single turnover or punting the ball
#SunPreps
2
16
50
Plant City wins the opening coin toss by honorary captain Governor Ron DeSantis and defers to the second half.
Indians ball to begin the regional quarterfinals in Venice.
#SunPreps
2
7
53
Final:
@VeniceIndianFB
56 -
@RamsRhsFootball
14
The Indians got up early and didn’t let up — taking a 56-0 halftime lead on the way to a blowout win thanks to dominant defense and a three-headed rushing attack.
2
8
51
Venice High AD Pete Dombroski said it could be two weeks before Sarasota County schools resume athletics.
Here’s some photos Dombroski sent of the damage at VHS, including the roof of the weight room taking severe damage.
#SunPreps
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16
51
Wow!! Wish I got that one on video
First play of the drive, Nico DallaCosta to Malachi Wideman wide open down the left sideline for a 75-yard TD
Venice 14 - Plant 7
10:42 to go in first half
0
12
43
An 8 yard end around TD by Shevan Pearce was set up by a 31-yard leaping grab by Malachi Wideman
Anderson makes the XP
Venice 7 - Plant 0
4:45 to go in 1st Q
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9
45
New Venice receiver Malachi Wideman on what he likes about Venice: “I think it’s going to be a good fit academically and athletically for me. We’ll be playing against the best competition, and that’s a reason I came here, too. We play a real schedule here, no funny stuff.”
1
8
45
Venice safety Noah Carr stops a Braden River drive dead cold with an 85-yard pick six
Anderson makes the extra point
Venice 14, Braden River 0
4:59 to go in first quarter
#SunPreps
0
17
46
Final: Lemon Bay 8, Lake Placid 1
The 2018 Manta Rays capture the 5A- District 12 Championship in coach Dan Flaherty's first season
1
17
48
Final: Venice 6 - Osceola 1
The Indians return to the Final Four for the eighth time in nine years as they hold off the Warriors to win the regional championship
0
8
45
West Orange drives inside the Venice 10 on the opening drive of the second half, but
@E_WashingtonII
comes up with his second INT of the night — returning it to the Warriors 27.
#SunPreps
0
11
47
Final: Venice 1 - St. Pete 0
A year after getting knocked out in the regional final by St. Pete in PK’s, the Indians take the regional championship on a last-minute goal by Mason Schilling
@VHSIndianSports
0
9
43
Final: Venice 35 - Riverview 7
The Indians defense forced a turnover on downs on the first drive and held strong all game to pull away from the Rams and improve to 3-1.
#SunPreps
1
14
42
Next Wednesday, several
@VHSIndianSports
athletes will participate in an early-signing day at Venice High
Quite an impressive list from just one school, with more names sure to be added by the end of the school year
0
9
44
If this game wasn’t over before, it is now.
@ryanbrownexv
hits
@jayplatt5
on 4th and short and the senior WR bursts up the sidelines 58 yards for a score.
XP good
Venice 35 - Apopka 7, 9:44 to play
#SunPreps
1
11
44
After a long offseason,
@VeniceIndianFB
returns to Powell-Davis Stadium to face Booker High in the second half of tonight's scrimmage
0
9
42
Former
@VeniceIndianFB
QB
@haydnwolff
took over as starter when the Monarchs were 1-5… two months later, they finish the regular season 6-6 and bowl eligible.
1
9
46
Could be a running clock soon...
Venice stretches its lead as Blazek hits Myles Weston on a 34-yard TD strike
XP good
Venice 41 - Lakeland 12, 6:11 to play
#SunPreps
1
13
40
Final: Venice 1, Braden River 0
The Lady Indians hold on to win the 4A District-11 Championship
0
6
40
Earning D-I offers before his first season as the starting RB... big things to come for Wilder.
#SunPreps
I am blessed and Honored to receive my 1st D1 Offer from University Of South Florida 💚
@CoachCamAiken
@USFFootball
@john_p34
@VeniceIndianFB
@Andrew_Ivins
9
41
258
1
2
42
As a senior with
@VeniceIndianFB
,
@ZackSessa
was ranked No. 1 in the class of '19 by
@KornblueKicking
and had 15 D-I offers.
But when tragedy struck, Sessa nearly gave up football entirely. Three years later, he's making a comeback with
@USFFootball
.
2
19
45
Lemon Bay starting pitcher Justin Mincieli made his commitment to Webber International University official today as he signed to play for the Warriors next spring.
This season, Mincieli owns a 4-1 record with a 1.30 ERA for the Manta Rays
1
11
38
Final:
@VeniceIndianFB
59, Tampa Bay Tech 23
Venice advances to the second round of the playoffs and will be at home again next Friday at 7:30
1
13
39
Just over 10 years ago, Josh Hunter made the worst mistake of his life — killing his best friend as a result of drunk driving
Now, he’s rehabilitating into society and trying to honor his friend’s memory by returning to coaching with
@VeniceIndianFB
3
7
42
Finally,
@VeniceIndianFB
’s state champion QB receives his first D-I offer
After a great talk with
@CoachTimLester
and
@CoachHarbaugh
, I’m thrilled to announce I’ve received and offer from Western Michigan University!
@john_p34
@VeniceIndianFB
23
41
292
1
6
45
Venice ties it up as
@BrooksBentley13
finds a wide-open
@FinJonesTE
for a 31-yard TD and I’m tackled by
@trenton_kintigh
.
2-point pass to
@MatulevichB
in the back of the end zone is good.
Venice 26 - Miami NW 26, 6:26 left in 4th Quarter
#SunPreps
4
5
44
Lost in the shuffle of Venice winning a state championship,
@Damon_wilson11
tied
@SullivanCarson1
for the school record for sacks in a season with 14.5
#SunPreps
4
6
43
Venice 7 - Manatee 0
Omari Hayes wastes no time in this one - taking the opening kickoff back 83 yards for a TD. It’s Hayes 3rd TD of the night.
#SunPreps
1
8
41
The
@VeniceIndianFB
team isn’t wasting time helping the community recover from Hurricane Ian.
Players and coaches delivered 300 sandwiches to those without power and water this morning, courtesy of
@ChickfilA
.
#SunPreps
3
6
43
Malachi Wideman said he never intended to sign in the early signing period
“I’m still committed to Florida State, he said. “That’s where my heart and soul is at when it comes to college. (My visit this weekend) gave me a lot of closure with what their plan is moving forward.”
1
7
40
Venice 5-star DE
@Damon_wilson11
intends to make his college decision on Wednesday from 3:30-4:30 p.m. at the Venice High gym.
Wilson’s decision will be live streamed on ESPN for those who can’t attend.
#SunPreps
3
8
42
Final: St. Thomas Aquinas 42 -
@VeniceIndianFB
0
The Indians managed just 129 yards of total offense as they’re shut out in the state semifinals
6
14
39
Final:
@VeniceIndianFB
42 - Buchholz 35
A furious second-half comeback orchestrated by Bobcats QB Creed Whittemore wasn’t enough to beat Venice.
The Indians will play Lakeland in the 4S state final on Dec. 17 in Fort Lauderdale.
#SunPreps
0
8
44
Final:
@VeniceIndianFB
49 -
@Sarasota_FB
13
The Indians started out down 7-0 early but forced four interceptions and exploded on offense — taking a running clock into halftime for an easy 1-0 start in district play.
#NewEraSarasota
0
4
42
Final:
@VeniceIndianFB
44, Manatee 13
With the regular season officially over, Venice will return to Powell-Davis Stadium next Friday to begin the playoffs
2
5
36
Venice QB
@ryanbrownexv
hits
@jayplatt5
in the back of the end zone from 36 yards out on the last play of the first half as the Indians extend their lead.
XP good
@VeniceIndianFB
21 - West Orange 7 - HALF
#SunPreps
1
11
39
Trailing 24-21, Braden River goes for it on 4th and 6 and
@VeniceIndianFB
D lineman Carson Sullivan comes up with the game-winning sack
#SunPreps
2
11
35
Venice answers back with a 10-yard TD strike from Nico DallaCosta to Weston Wolff
XP good
Indians 7 - Conquerors 7
5:40 to go in 1st Q
3
7
39
Final:
@VeniceIndianFB
41 - Lakeland 20
The Indians upset the Dreadnaughts with nearly 400 passing yards and 4 TDs from Colin Blazek along with a lockdown defense
2
12
40
A 9-0 start, including a 53-5 goal differential, has earned the Venice girls soccer team the No. 4 ranking in the United States, according to MaxPreps.
@VHSIndianSports
Here's how they've done it:
1
12
36
Breaking: Braden River football coach Curt Bradley has turned in game footage of two
@VeniceIndianFB
players to the FHSAA in an attempt to have them suspended. More to come as this story develops...
17
17
35
Hayden Wolff signs his National Letter of Intent surrounded by family, friends and coaches at awards night for
@VeniceIndianFB
0
9
33
Carson Smith delivers a one-yard TD pass that
@RhondyW
goes up and gets on fourth down to tie Plant at 13-13 halfway thru a 7v7 game at Venice High
3
12
38
Ryan Overstreet finds Malachi Wideman for a 19-yard TD on 4th and 6 and the Indians extend their lead
XP by Wheatley good
Venice 21 - Cocoa 7
11:48 left in 2nd Q
#SunPreps
0
7
37
FINAL:
@VeniceIndianFB
87 - Riverdale 20
The Indians scored what’s likely the most points in school history as they took out a season of scoring frustrations on the Raiders.
The winner of Lehigh vs. Palmetto awaits.
#SunPreps
3
10
40
Nico DallaCosta finds Malachi Wideman for a 20-yard TD and Venice strikes first
Anderson makes the XP
Venice 7 - IMG 0
6:33 to go in 1st Q
0
10
36