Football: Venice is getting ready to make City title run

On a cloudless Tuesday afternoon, the Goodyear Blimp was passing overhead at Venice High as a group of football players participated in volunteer workouts.

“That’s a good omen,” standout quarterback Alexander Diamont said.

Venice could produce a feel-good story in the City Section. It’s a neighborhood team with no transfers and lots of players who have been training together for four years.

No team in the City Section has more returning starters than Venice, a Division I semifinalist last season. The Gondoliers have 20 players back who started games, and that has Coach Angelo Gasca expecting big things from his team.

Diamont, who is committed to Indiana, is one of seven players who will have started since they were sophomores. That kind of varsity experience should help Venice right from the beginning when the team opens against a strong West Hills Chaminade squad on Aug. 30.

“These guys have proven they can play,” Gasca said.

There’s lots of talent, from running back Alijah Lee to linebacker Tayon Blockmon to the versatile Dajuan Parham, who returned nine punts and kickoffs for touchdowns.

Diamont has gotten bigger and stronger. He’s 6 feet 2 and up to 175 pounds. He was once playing quarterback at 145 pounds. He’s zinging spirals these days.

As usual, how well the Gondoliers play up front will help determine if they will be able to get past City powers Crenshaw, Narbonne and Carson.

Official practice begins on July 22 for Venice and other City schools that have a zero week game.

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