Venice (Fla.) football taking a different approach for spring ball

Patton saw limited time with the Ascenders last season, serving as the backup to Georgia commit Jayden Wade in 2025. Last season for IMG Academy, Patton completed 9 of 11 passes for 109 yards and a touchdown. With the already growing connection that Patton is building with Rivals Sophomore All-American Tyree Mannings, who caught 84 passes for 1,429 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2025, those numbers could be surpassed this fall.

“(Me and Tyree Mannings) have been working every day in the office, just me and him getting working, just trying to get those extra reps,” Patton said.

Watching the pairing at Thursday afternoon’s practice looked like a tandem that has been playing together for awhile, but there’s another wide receiver that defenses will need to watch out in 2028 wide receiver Jayvian Hoffmann, who transferred in from Sarasota Booker during the off-season.

It’s not just Hoffman that defenses will have to prepare for outside of Patton, Mannings as running backs Dorien Jones (1,049 yards, 15 touchdowns in 2025) and Ira Dale (342 yards, six touchdowns) are a formidable duo out of the backfield behind a very talented offensive line.

Though the Indians lose Missouri enrollee DJ Jones Jr. at left tackle, the offensive line brings back plenty of punch up front, including sophomores Evan Kloster, Matthew Raney and junior Diego Mendoza.

“Hoffmann is going to be the guy that makes the difference,” Peacock said. “Tyree’s one of the best in the country. We already know that, but if you have that other guy off of him, they’re not going to be able to do silly stuff on defense and bracket them like we saw the majority of last year. That’s what is going to be huge difference there is having that other guy.”

Circling back to the numbers Venice is seeing out on the practice field, Peacock for the first time during his tenure as the Indians’ head coach is combining both varsity and junior varsity together at practice. Peacock points to this as an opportunity to see every player on a daily basis as the longtime Venice head coach says the team ended up finding two starters from the JV team last season.

Lower numbers may be a new thing as of recent for Peacock and his staff to deal with, but they’re turning it into a chance to see what players can take advantage on a daily basis to impress against the varsity. On any given day, a new player might show the staff they’re worthy of being moved up to the varsity ranks.

“We’re doing it for two reasons. One being that our numbers are lower than they’re been with the opening of Wellen Park,” Peacock said. “The second part is that some guys last year, we had like two guys that started the first playoff games and they were on JV. That’s bad coaching, man. Like you have two of your starters, your best players, playing JV? This gives us opportunity to not miss anybody.”

With Venice opting not to play a spring game, the Indians will see their spring end on May 8 in a Green vs. White scrimmage to end practices instead of the traditional contest against an opponent.

Its just different this time around spring wise for Venice, but what doesn’t look to have changed whatsoever is the talent well is deep and the Indians should be competing for a state title come December.

More about Venice High School

Venice High School, located in Venice, Florida, is a prominent public school known for its strong academics, competitive athletics, and active extracurricular programs. Offering a variety of AP and honors courses, the school prepares students for higher education and future careers. Venice’s athletic teams are highly successful, frequently achieving state championships and fostering school pride. Emphasizing leadership, community service, and personal growth, the school ensures students are well-rounded and ready for future challenges.

How to Follow Florida High School Football

For Florida high school football fans looking to keep up with scores around the nation, staying updated on the action is now easier than ever with the Rivals High School Scoreboard. This comprehensive resource provides real-time updates and final scores from across the Sunshine State, ensuring you never miss a moment of the Friday night frenzy. From nail-biting finishes to dominant performances, the Rivals High School Scoreboard is your one-stop destination for tracking all the high school football excitement across the state of Florida.