Shouldn't have come to that, but it wasn't a catch. Couple thoughts - VT's HC didn't manage the clock very well on that last drive, and he is now 1-10 in one-score games. Horrible call that ball was moving around like a pin ball - and Miami kid came out with it. I'm not going to take the time to rewrite, so using this from a poster on the Canes forum:

1. Third and goal, Miami about to go up 21-7. Markel Bell is matched up against Keyshawn Burgos. Bell has at least 4 inches and 100 pounds on Burgos. There is NO HOLDING. Burgos spins his body until his BACK is against Bell, then he falls down. The ref waits forever to throw the flag, until Cam throws the ball. The replay is clear. Even the announcer questions the call. But the phantom holding stands, taking a touchdown off the board, and the very next play is an interception.

2. Fourth down, VaTech about to go up 24-14. The kicker wears jersey #17. But wait, VaTech only has 10 men on the field. So who runs onto the field but....#17 Cole Nelson. It's so ******* obvious, it's not like they have two #17s buried in the interior of the line. It's...the KICKER...and the GUY RUNNING ONTO THE FIELD LATE. In fact, it is so obvious, that you can see the ambiguously-gendered assistant coach behind Pry's left shoulder (the one wearing the purple shirt and the large necklace) yelling "there's two #17s" to Pry. But the refs don't call a penalty, and the first #17 makes the long field goal.

3. Ongoing game long ignoring of unsportsmanlike conduct. The refs IMMEDIATELY gave Jacolby George a penalty for spinning the ball in the end zone, then ignored FOR FOUR QUARTERS the VaTech players taunting Miami players, particularly with the Cam Ward celebration. Not one unsportsmanlike call on VaTech. NOT ONE. But Jacolby George spinning the ball was flagged.

I did not think it was a catch. He did not have clear possession when he was going down. Once he hit the ground the ball was loose. No catch.

Now the play before is where VA TECH should have won the game but the receiver was clearly out of bounds. The DB was beaten and the receiver clearly caught the ball. If the receiver had not allowed himself to go out of bounds that was probably a TD.

Miami has a great opportunity to win it all this year. They needed a game like this get them ready to win a close game. I think many of their future games will not challenge them enough for the playoffs.

Here’s some of Polk County’s plans.

Here is an article in the News-Press from yesterday. It doesn’t mention every game.

gatorman001 said:

...I only went to last years state weight lifting meet...(didnt look into the regional or district meets), but at the state level most of the kids that qualified (I want to say 5 or 6 kids), are defensive starters on this years Venice defense.....(Landon Masters LB, lifted for Sarasota, Riverview last year). Didnt see anyone on the Venice OL on the state weightlifting spreadsheet?

Click to expand...

In college we were an agility driven team, coaches got it from some clinic. No free weights , all we had was a Universal. Our undersized OL had a saying (albeit rationalization), "That defenders can't use that bulk if they can't get to the point of attack first.

All of that still doesn’t help them play any better defense!!

If you go see Venice don't go expecting defense. Probably the worst defensive team they have had in recent memory! They can score but they can't stop anybody! Giving up 46 points a game!

Can be watched..

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Appears to be offensive game and no defense on both sides.

Ended up not making it for a few reasons primarily I didn't here from my buddy Wavebb. I saw the game had a long rain/lightening delay as about half of the Lee games did. Not a surprising outcome, Sammy's the dean of area coaches and has decades long staff like the Tarps used to have, throw in some superior athletes and its tough to beat. We're in the Pre-Binky Waldrop pendulum swing with Ft Myers - don't think we've beat the Wave since the Binkster retired. Can't comment too much on the game because haven't seen the paper yet, instead I went to the legendary Shell Factory this morning to see it off - what a state landmark for Florida Kitsch. I'm assuming the Q and Stud WR were just too much for the Tarps. EDIT NO that wasn't it, the Tarpons turned the ball over on three straight possessions - they would have had a shot otherwise.

Thanks Gatorman. This kind of explains the post psychedelic theme to the Salty Dog and that area. It’s all coming together now. See what following high school football can lead too? My mind has been expanded. Not the way Timothy Leary was referring to though.

Thanks High School Football!

Made the trip to Eau Gallie to see someplace different and the team with the funny name. I wanted to see if the Commodores are as good as the experts say. The small downtown area has primarily an art district. I stopped in the Salty Dog that is a bar that serves food. If you are looking for a good bar with an old hippie flavor this place is for you. I didn’t stay there long but if I wanted to to relax and have some fun this would be a good choice. The rest of the area has a definite bohemian flavor.

Okay, now for the football, Eau Gallie jumped out to a 20-0 lead against the University Orange City Titans. One of their TD’s was an interception on a screen pass by Brandon Brown, a DT that is committed to LSU. University came out in that second half to score their only TD but Eau Gallie held them at bay for a 40-7 to remain undefeated. The Commodores are stout in the trenches and have a nice handful of good skill players. The QB could be a little more accurate. He got better as the game went on. A more consistent performance by him should determine how far they go in the playoffs.

Looks like Venice is playing like the Doug Moe coached Denver Nuggets (how’s that for a dated reference) except Venice has remained undefeated. I thought this game’s final score was going to be in the 30’s scored by each team with Cocoa winning by about 10 points. If Venice’s games continue like this you could imagine state records being broken for points scored and points scored against. You have to give it to the Indians. They are playing a very challenging schedule and have passed every test so far.

Oh my what a finish