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Meet Beaufort High's Sam Venning
bhughes@beaufortgazette.com
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The Beaufort defense has had to deal with its fair share of injuries this year. The Eagles lost defensive end Duane Chisolm to a knee injury and had to play games without linebacker Justin Parker or defensive end Alex Wierzbicki.
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The stalwart for the Beaufort defense has been senior captain and middle linebacker Sam Venning. The 6-foot, 215-pounder leads the Eagles with 95 tackles this season.
As Beaufort prepares for its first-round playoff game against Berkeley High School, the Beaufort Gazette caught up with Venning to see what the team needs to do to bounce back from its two-game losing streak, what kind of motivational speaker coach Mark Clifford is and how Venning was a Beaufort fan even in the worst of times.
Question: The playoffs start for you guys this week. What is the difference between this week and last week?
A: We've got to stay really focused and have a sense of trust and togetherness this week because obviously if you lose, you're out.
Q: You started out the season 9-0 and lost your last two games. What has been tripping you guys up the last couple of weeks?
A: It's a lack of discipline and trusting each other. We just got to stay together.
Q: Will last year's experience be able to help you get back on track?
A: Yes sir, I think it will. I think last year we learned how to stay together in tight situations and even early in this season, we learned how to stay together. We just have to find a way to win.
Q: As the middle linebacker, what is your role in the defense?
A: Try to make sure everybody is where they need to be and keep everything meshed together. Mainly just be positive and keep everybody pumped up.
Q: Justin Parker moved from outside linebacker to join you in the middle. How has that transition been going?
A: He's done amazing. He's a really good athlete.
Q: You guys lost in the title game last year. Has that been spurring you guys on this year?
A: I think so. I think we're just thinking about Berkeley right now. We just need to take it one game at a a time. It's definitely spurring us on, but we've got to take what we learned from last year and put it into one game at a time.
Q: It seems like coach (Mark) Clifford has been preaching that to you guys.
A: Definitely. I think that's what really important.
Q: Coach Clifford seems like he knows what motivational buttons to push, especially at this time in the season. What kind of motivational speaker is he?
A: He definitely puts things in perspective and keeps us focused.
Q: Friday could be your last home game. Can you just talk about what it has meant for you to wear that uniform?
A: It's been amazing. I've loved it. Ever since I was little, my dad would take me to Eagles games. I just wanted to be on the field. I've loved doing it. It's been like a dream.
Q: So you've been a Beaufort fan for a while?
A: Oh yes. Even when we were down.
Q: That didn't sway you at all?
A: No. My sister went here. I just love it. Love the green.
Q: Did you play any other sports growing up?
A: I played baseball but decided it was too slow for me. I like to hit people.
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