Hungry Venom Look For Road Victory
April 16, 2015 - Professional Indoor Football League (PIFL)
Nashville Venom News Release
NASHVILLE- Being a champion has its good points and bad. The good points are pretty obvious, but one bad point is teams circle their games with you on the schedule. The Nashville Venom (1-2) have learned quickly the burden of being a champion. Their two early losses equal their total from last season.
Both defeats have come at the hands of the Alabama Hammers, a team they defeated on three occasions last season on their way to the PIFL championship. This week they face another team they defeated three times last season, the undefeated Columbus Lions (3-0).
"We were the hunters last season, now we are the hunted," said Venom Head Coach Billy Back. "No one thought we would win being an expansion team so we used that as a way to motivate. This season, teams are looking for us. Columbus is playing some good football and we will have to travel to their building. Defeating them twice in the regular season and then eliminating them in the playoffs I'm sure doesn't set well with them. We will have to be ready."
Nashville started off well this past week versus the Hammers scoring 22 first quarter points but failed to score in the second and third quarters. They rallied to take a late lead but ended up falling 55-52. This week the Venom has focused on conditioning and getting a rhythm with new players coming in. One being former PIFL Offensive Player of the Year WR Maurice Dupree.
"Let's face it, some guys are not in shape," added Back. "We hope to correct that this week. Our offensive line will get better with a full week of practice. Signing Maurice will be a big help for our receivers. We may have another signing but it is not official now. We will get back to the basics on both sides of the ball and special teams. I told the guys the season is still young but we need this win. We need to regain that same hunger we had last year. I look for us to play much better this Saturday."
The Lions also played a close game in Week 4 defeating the Richmond Raiders 47-43. Former Venom WR Terrance Ebagua (nine catches 143 yards three TDs) scored on a 40 yard pass from QB Casey Kacz (22 of 38, 301 yards and seven TDs) for the winning score. Ebagua is leading the PIFL in receiving yards per game (159.3) scoring (54) and all purpose yards per game (159.3). At 6'7, Ebagua has been a mismatch for opposing DBs. He along with fellow WRs John Harris and Jarmon Fortson have given Kacz, who leads the PIFL in total offense with 338 yards per game, three reliable targets.
"He (Ebagua) is a big dude," said DB Corry Stewart. "We saw a lot of him in practice last year. We knew he was good when he first stepped on the field. The problem is he isn't the only player they have. We will have our work cut out for us but we love challenges."
SNAKE BITES:
Maurice Dupree has signed with the Venom. In 2012, he won the PIFL Offensive Player of the Year with the Columbus Lions
Venom QB Charles McCullum has thrown 13 TD passes in his last two games.
The Venom's next home game is on April 25 for Military Appreciation Night against the Richmond Raiders.
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Professional Indoor Football League Stories from April 16, 2015
- Hungry Venom Look For Road Victory - Nashville Venom
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