Wahconah's Venable, Lee's Simone Earn Weekly Honors

Both this week's iBerkshires.com/Southwestern Vermont Medical Center Athletes of the Week led their teams to successful weeks, and both have their squads gunning for long runs later this month.

 

Lee High senior Jenna Simone and the girls soccer team have been dominant in their last four games, outscoring opponents 21-2 during that span.

 

Simone has at least a goal in each of those wins and exploded for three goals in a 3-0 win over Westfield Tech to open the week.

 

For the season, she is leading Lee with 10 goals and eight assists for a team that is 9-2.

 

The Wildcats can clinch a berth in the Division 5 state tournament with their next win. Their next chance comes on Monday afternoon when they host Mount Everett, a team Lee beat, 5-1, the first time around behind two goals and an assist from Simone.

 

Wahconah's football team is always in the mix for post-season consideration, and even after an 0-2 start, this year is no different.

 

Wahconah, now 2-2, entered Friday night's game as the No. 12 team in Division 7. And junior QB Gio Venable is a big reason his team rolled to a 36-12 win over perennial rival Pittsfield.

 

He ran for 54 yards and a touchdown in addition to running in three 2-point conversions. He also threw for 120 yards and a touchdown.

 

"Gio is evolving as a quarterback, I think," Wahconah coach Gary Cambpell Jr. said. "He could have thrown it a couple of times, and I'm glad he took off. But some of the moves he makes in the backfield and keeps his eyes up and makes a nice throw -- that's what's evolving.

 

"He's getting better and more comfortable. You've got to remember, this is his first year playing quarterback."

 

Wahconah will look to get over the .500 mark when it hosts Chicopee Comprehensive on Friday night.

 

The iBerkshires.com Athlete of the Week is sponsored by Southwestern Vermont Medical Center.