The Venice (FL) varsity football team will play a home playoff game against Columbus (Miami, FL) today at 7:30 PM. This game is part of the 2024 FHSAA Football State Championships – 7A tournament.

Columbus vs Venice Football Game Info:

What: Florida High School Football
Who: Columbus vs Venice
When: Friday, December 6, 2024
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch here

Game preview: Columbus vs Venice

The 2024 Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) Football State Championships are set to feature an exciting matchup between two powerhouse teams: Columbus and Venice. With their impressive records and strong performances throughout the season, both teams are ready to compete for the coveted state title.

Team Overview

Columbus (9-3, 4-0 District) Columbus enters the state championships with a solid overall record of 9-3. Dominating their district with a perfect 4-0 record, the team has shown resilience throughout the season. With a balanced offensive and defensive unit, Columbus has posted 341 points while allowing just 174 points. The team’s ability to perform well both at home and on the road has been crucial in their successful campaign, securing six wins at home and three on the road.

• Key Player: Agyeman Addae (#21) leads the team with 65.5 rushing yards per game, showcasing his ability to break through defenses and keep drives alive.

Venice (12-1, 3-0 District) Venice comes into the state championship game with a remarkable 12-1 record. Their powerful offense and staunch defense have helped them reach this stage, with a dominant 5-0 district record and a total of 663 points scored, nearly doubling their opponents’ total of 336 points. Venice’s team excels in both the air and on the ground, averaging 472.2 total yards per game. With their combination of offensive firepower and defensive tenacity, Venice is a formidable contender for the state title.

• Key Player: Gata Wilder (#3) is the standout player for Venice, leading the team with an average of 146.3 rushing yards per game, making him a major threat in the ground game.

Scoring Comparison

The scoring averages between the two teams show a marked contrast in offensive output:

• Columbus: Averaging 28.4 points per game, Columbus spreads their scoring across all four quarters, but they will need to boost their offensive production to keep up with Venice’s high-powered attack.
• Venice: With an impressive 51.0 points per game, Venice has been dominant in their offensive performances, especially in the first half of games where they average a combined 32.3 points in the first and second quarters.

Team Stat Comparison

• Rushing Game: Venice has the upper hand in rushing yards, averaging a formidable 275.8 yards per game, compared to Columbus’ 110.4 yards per game. Venice’s Gata Wilder and Jayce Nixon form a dynamic duo in the backfield, leading their team’s running game.
• Passing Game: Columbus has an edge in passing yards per game (117.2) over Venice (196.4). However, the Venice offense excels in both passing and rushing, making them difficult to defend.
• Tackling & Defense: Venice’s defense is notably strong, averaging 93.6 tackles per game, compared to Columbus’ 52.9 tackles per game. This defensive prowess, led by players like Landon Marsters, will be critical in limiting Columbus’ offensive plays.

Team Leaders

• Columbus: Agyeman Addae stands out in rushing with 65.5 yards per game, while Vicente Gonzalez contributes with 63.3 passing yards per game. On defense, Hector Chavez leads with 8.8 tackles per game.
• Venice: Gata Wilder leads the rushing attack with 146.3 yards per game, and Jayce Nixon dominates the passing game with 178.3 yards per game. Defensively, Landon Marsters leads with 12.6 tackles per game.

Common Opponents

Both teams have faced the same opponent in Northwestern this season. Columbus lost to Northwestern 23-18 on October 17, while Venice triumphed in a thrilling 48-42 win on August 30. This game provides a point of comparison for both teams’ capabilities against a common rival.

Record Breakdown

Both teams have performed strongly across the board, but their paths to the state finals have been slightly different:

• Columbus: A solid 6-1 record at home and 3-2 on the road, with a perfect 4-0 district performance, Columbus’ consistency has been key to their success.
• Venice: With a 7-1 away record and a perfect 5-0 district record, Venice has shown they are equally comfortable playing in hostile environments as they are at home.

Conclusion

As the 2024 FHSAA Football State Championship approaches, the matchup between Columbus and Venice promises to be a thrilling encounter. Venice enters as the favorite, boasting a high-scoring offense and a defense that is tough to break. However, Columbus will not go down without a fight. With key players like Agyeman Addae and Vicente Gonzalez, they have the potential to upset the odds and claim the state title. The stage is set for an exciting final, where offense, defense, and strategy will all play crucial roles in determining who takes home the championship trophy.