Series
2026 Public Schools Top 100 Preview: No. 24 Venice
Venice opens No. 24 with 12 returning starters, two 1,000-yard playmakers and a quarterback competition that will shape its Class 6A ceiling.
Top 25 Public HSFB / 8 min read
FL Public School Football
Florida
Venice opens the regular season Aug. 21 at Booker before hosting SmartEn Sports Academy. The schedule becomes considerably more difficult on Sept. 4 when the Indians travel to Lakeland. That game will provide the first major measurement of the quarterback position and a Venice roster attempting to establish itself as one of Florida’s best teams. The Indians return home Sept. 11 to face Lehigh in their first district game. Cape Coral and Sarasota visit Powell-Davis Stadium on the following two Fridays. Venice then makes one of the longest trips on its schedule to face defending 3A State champion Raines in Jacksonville on Oct. 2. The Raines game will test Venice’s physicality, depth and ability to handle a difficult road environment. It also gives the Indians another opportunity to strengthen their postseason résumé outside the district. Lakewood Ranch visits Venice the following week. The Indians then travel to Riverview before closing the regular season at home against North Port. The district games against Lehigh, Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Riverview and North Port will shape Venice’s Class 6A standing. Florida’s new Open Division creates another postseason possibility. If Venice finishes among the teams selected for that bracket, the Indians would leave the traditional Class 6A postseason and compete against the strongest qualifiers in the state regardless of classification. Aug. 21: at Booker Aug. 28: vs. SmartEn Sports Academy Sept. 4: at Lakeland Sept. 11: vs. Lehigh Sept. 18: vs. Cape Coral Sept. 25: vs. Sarasota Oct. 2: at Raines Oct. 9: vs. Lakewood Ranch Oct. 16: at Riverview Oct. 23: vs. North Port
Tyree Mannings Jr. — WR, 2028 Mannings caught 84 passes for 1,429 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2025. He also rushed for 193 yards and another score. His production, versatility and ability to create explosive plays make him the centerpiece of the Venice offense. Mannings can win downfield, work through traffic or turn a short touch into a scoring opportunity. Dorien “Macho” Irving-Jones — RB, 2027 Irving-Jones rushed for 1,040 yards and 15 touchdowns last season. He gives Venice a dependable running back capable of taking pressure off the quarterback and punishing defenses that focus too much attention on Mannings. Noah Patton — QB, 2028 Patton transferred to Venice from IMG Academy after serving as a reserve quarterback in 2025. He completed nine of 11 passes for 109 yards and one touchdown last season. His size, arm talent and performance during spring practice make him a legitimate candidate to lead the offense. Terrell Jones — QB, 2027 Jones joined Venice after playing at Poinciana. He completed 21 of 36 passes for 269 yards and two touchdowns while adding 111 rushing yards and another score in 2025. His varsity experience and mobility give Venice another option in the quarterback competition. Tristen Neeley — MLB, 2027 Neeley returns as one of the central pieces of the Venice defense after averaging more than 10 tackles per game in 2025. His experience and ability to work between the tackles should make him one of the leaders of a defense returning six starters. Gabriel Octtaviani-Gonzalez — EDGE, 2027 Octtaviani-Gonzalez gives Venice size and experience on the edge. His ability to create pressure and contribute against the running game will become especially important against physical opponents such as Lakeland and Raines. Anthony “AB” Beckom — DB, 2027 Beckom provides senior experience in the secondary. Venice will need its defensive backs to prevent explosive plays while the front seven deals with several strong rushing attacks on the schedule. Micah Hayes — DB, 2027 Hayes is another returning member of the Venice secondary. His experience gives the Indians continuity on the back end and another defender capable of contributing against the passing games Venice will face outside the district. Ira Dale Jr. — RB/LB, 2027 Dale can contribute on both sides of the football. His versatility gives Venice additional backfield depth behind Irving-Jones and another physical option at linebacker. Ky’Mani Reed — SS, 2027 Reed provides experience and physicality at safety. He should have an important role in a secondary that will be asked to handle several different offensive styles throughout the season. Jayvian Hoffmann — WR, 2028 Hoffmann adds another young target to the Venice receiving group. His presence could make it more difficult for defenses to concentrate their coverage entirely on Mannings and gives the winning quarterback another option in the passing game.
Series
Venice opens No. 24 with 12 returning starters, two 1,000-yard playmakers and a quarterback competition that will shape its Class 6A ceiling.
Top 25 Public HSFB / 8 min read
Series
Venice enters 2026 looking to bounce back after a 9-4 season and a state semifinal finish. The Indians bring back talent, add key pieces, and face early tests against Raines and Lakeland. A Florida 7A program to keep an eye on this fall.
Top 25 Public HSFB / 1 min read
Series
Public Schools Top 25 | National Series — Edition 52: National Top 40 Section 1 - Honorable Mentions + #26-#40 After ranking every state and Washington D.C., it’s finally time to zoom out and look at the full national picture. This list was not built off hype, recruiting stars, or one magical season. It was built the same way the full 50-state series was built:
Top 25 Public HSFB / 6 min read