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 Amarillo Venom

Venom Remain Undefeated, Hold off Rio Grande Valley Sol

March 30, 2014 - Lone Star Football League (LSFL)
Amarillo Venom News Release


AMARILLO, Texas- In a battle of Lone Star Football League heavyweights, the Amarillo Venom (2-0, LSFL) used a huge second half to pull away from the Rio Grande Valley Sol (1-1, LSFL), 33-29 at the Cal Farley Coliseum at the Amarillo Civic Center on March 29.

"We just had to challenge our guys in the second half to play our game and do what we do best," Amarillo Venom Head Coach Julian Reese said. "The guys stepped up and made some plays. The rest is history."

After a stalled Sol drive to begin the game, the Venom responded quickly with a beautiful touchdown pass from quarterback Andre Coles to wide receiver Raymond Johnson. This helped the Venom gain an early seven to nothing lead. While Rio Grande Valley quarterback Nate Davis fumbled the ball, the Venom failed to convert the turnover into points.

The Venom defense was able to hold the line when the Sol took over possession, coming up with a strong goal-line stand. Although Amarillo was able to come up with stop, the Venom were unable to move the ball as the four and out led to a one yard score by Davis to even the game at seven. After another turnover on downs by the Venom, Davis connected with wide receiver Danny Young to put the Sol up by six early in the second quarter.

Amarillo would be able to respond to the score with its own, as a long drive beginning at the Venom 12 yard line led to a two yard touchdown run by wide receiver Craig Fulton Jr. from a quarterback Brendan Crawford handoff to even the score at 13-13 with less than five minutes remaining in the half. Crawford came into the game in the place of Coles to help spark the Venom offense in the second quarter.

The Sol would issue a reply as Davis connected with Young on a 16 yard touchdown pass with 54 seconds left to guide the Sol with a 20-13 halftime lead.

The third quarter saw the Venom tie the game up once more at 20-20 as Crawford scored a rushing touchdown from three yards out. Both squads would exchange drives for the rest of the quarter, highlighted by an interception by Venom defensive back Tae Evans.

"My team lifted me up a lot," Evans said, speaking of the inspiration he received from his teammates. "They believe in me, so I had to make a play for them."

As the Sol started the fourth quarter with a Leo Araguz field goal, the Venom would answer with two touchdowns. At 10:02 left to play, Crawford would hook up with wide receiver DJ Beshears for an 11 yard pass while defensive lineman Mark Guiterrez would sack Davis on a crucial fourth down play and Evans forced a second pick of Davis to propel the Venom onward.

These plays and the loud atmosphere provided by the Cal Farley Coliseum would culminate in a 25 yard Crawford to Johnson touchdown pass to put the Venom ahead at 33-23. Rio Grande Valley wouldn't go down quietly as Davis would pass to wide receiver Jorge Mata to keep the game close at 33-29.

However, a failed onside kick would seal the Sol's fate and bring in a Venom victory.

"It wasn't just me pulling in the victory," Crawford said, detailing the team effort in the win. "It was a combination of things. Great coaching on our behalf, great protection up front. It was a team effort and that's what happened tonight. Our team gelled together. It's what champions do - they come together and win."

Crawford would prove to be one of the leaders for the Amarillo Venom, going 13 of 23 and passing for 123 yards while Raymond Johnson hauled in five catches for 77 yards. For the Sol, Davis went 12 for 32 and passing for 150 yards as Danny Young pulled in four catches for 62 yards.

While the Venom will go on the road to take on the San Angelo Bandits on April 5 at 7:05 p.m., the Rio Grande Valley Sol will return home to battle the New Mexico Stars on April 6 at 7:05 p.m.

As the Amarillo Venom take to the road, Joe Daddy's will host the Venom away game watch parties on April 5 and April 19. These watch parties are free and open to the public.

The Amarillo Venom are a proud member of the LSFL. For more information and tickets, contact the Amarillo Venom office at (806) 350-7277.

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