If you just looked at the box score from last week’s Venice-Palmetto preseason game, you would think the Indians’ defense had a lackluster second-half performance. Leading 21-3 at halftime, Venice hung on for a 24-23 win despite surrendering 20 second-half points. But the defense wasn’t exactly the liability that the numbers would indicate at first glance.

Venice promptly fumbled the ball away deep in its own territory on the first play of the second half, giving Palmetto first and goal at the 7. But the defense held its ground, stopping the Tigers despite a facemask penalty that gave Palmetto four shots at punching it in. The Tigers came away from the possession with nothing when they missed a 26-yard field goal.