In the history of Venice High football there have been some outstanding teams, a bevy of Western League championships, and a quarterback, J.P, Losman, who is currently a starter in the NFL with the Buffalo Bills.
But all those Venice teams have one thing in common. The Gondoliers have never won the LA City championship.
When this season began, Coach Angelo Gasca said this could be his best team. It did well, winning 10 games and losing two. But Venice was eliminated from the LA City playoffs in the second round Wednesday, November 21 on its home field by Dorsey, 48-26.
Venice had a 19-7 lead in the third quarter, but in a game featuring three future UCLA players and one future USC player the Bruin-bound guys from Dorsey prevailed.
Dorsey running back Jonathan Franklin gained 145 yards and scored three touchdowns. Teammate Rahim Moore, who has also made a verbal commitment to UCLA, contributed two long punt returns.
Venice’s Curtis McNeal, who’s going to USC, had a 50-yard punt return for a touchdown. His teammate, receiver Jerry Johnson, is headed to UCLA.
Among Venice’s accomplishments this season were a fourth straight victory over Santa Monica and a prestigious conquest of Oaks Christian. The only other loss was in a non-league game to Banning.
In the LA City semi-finals Carson will play defending champion Birmingham and Crenshaw will oppose Dorsey.
Venice had been seeded third. Dorsey, the No. 6 seed, improved its record to 9-3.
