One of high school football's biggest games this week comes early as No. 3
St. Frances Academy (Baltimore, Md.) travels to
Venice (Fla.) for a nationally-televised showdown Thursday. ESPN2 will broadcast the contest from Powell-Davis Stadium at 8 p.m. ET.
St. Frances Academy (2-0) is riding a 10-game win streak going back to last September and coming off a 47-7 dismantling of DeSoto (Texas). Running backs
Durell Robinson and
DeJuan Williams are powering the offense, combining for 442 yards (7.7 yards per carry) and three touchdowns through the team's first two games.
The Panthers' 10-game win streak includes wins over teams from eight states (California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Texas and Virginia) and Canada.
Venice (1-1) is unranked but battle-tested. In addition to an August scrimmage against No. 12 IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.), the Indians have split with two of the top programs in the state of Florida, losing to Northwestern (Miami) in the opener and beating Naples last week.
Under head coach John Peacock, Venice went 14-1 and captured Florida's Class 8A state title a year ago. Peacock is in his 22nd year at the school, compiling a record of 152-37 with a state title in 2017 in addition to 2021.
How to watch
When: Thursday, Sept. 15, 8 p.m. EDT
Where: Powell-Davis Stadium, Venice, Fla.
Television: ESPN2
Follow live: MaxPrepsPlayers to watchSt. Frances Academy: DL
Dashawn Womack (6-4, 240, Sr.), QB
Michael Van Buren (6-0, 180, Jr.), RB
Durell Robinson (6-1, 190, Sr.), OL
Jayvon McFadden (6-3, 320, So.), WR
Ryan Manning (5-11, 170, Sr.)
Venice: DL
Damon Wilson (6-4, 230, Sr.), DB
Elliot Washington (6-0, 195, Sr.), WR
Ryan Matulevich (6-0, 185, So.), QB
Brooks Bentley (6-3, 185, Sr.), RB
Jamarice Wilder (5-10, 175, So.)
Sophomore wide receiver Ryan Matulevich, in action here during an August scrimmage against IMG Academy, leads Venice in receptions and yards.
Photo: Pete Wright
