Last season, the 2003 Venice Gondolier football made it to the City Championship at the Coliseum, but lost to Carson High School, 30-20, their first loss in an almost undefeated season.



This year, the team has a mix of talented new players and returning players who are more familiar with the Venice style of play. Venice started off this season with two tough losses against quality teams: Carson High School with a score of 24-21 and Loyola High School, 24-0. Loyola, in fact, is ranked 21st in the country by USA Today.

Venice came close to winning in the Carson game on Sept. 10 after a James Armstrong touchdown put the Gondos ahead 21-17. But, in the final minute of the game, Carson quarterback Bo Napolean, who led the team last year, threw for a touchdown and the Colts won.

However, last week’s game fared well for the Gondoliers. They humiliated the Santa Monica Vikings in a 42-13 rout. Kenny Ashely rushed for 237 yards on 14 carries while getting into the endzone four times. On defense, safety Jonas Mouton intercepted two passes.

Because of last year’s success and the tough competition the team has faced in the first two games, Venice has been getting some attention from TV stations. The first two games they played were on television. The Carson game was aired on Channel LA 36. Against Loyola, it was regionally televised on Fox Sports West.

The Gondos feel very confident going into the rest of the season. "The City Section is weak" said senior defensive end Charles Thornton. Senior kicker Darko Dolgic added, "The competition is not as good as us." Team members feel that they have a ton of talent, but in order to be successful they have to come together as a team.

Some of the key returning players are Thornton, Dogic, Robert Ambers, Jimmy Miller, Martell Moore, Victor Zeledon, James Armstrong and Jonathan Ortega. These players know the team, playbook, and coaching staff well.

Venice also has some excellent new players. They are Ashely, Mouton, Eddie Newton, Talibb Woods, and Ansley Clevil. These guys have stepped it up and made some key plays so far this season.

Venice finishes the regular season off Nov. 21 at Hamilton High School, but right now the Gondoliers are focused on this week’s game, an away game at Granada Hills High School.