Venom Glad to be Back Home
April 23, 2015 - Professional Indoor Football League (PIFL)
Nashville Venom News Release
Devin Wilson of the Nashville Venom
(Nashville Venom)
NASHVILLE- The Nashville Venom (2-2) of the Professional Indoor Football League will be back at home this Saturday looking to start a winning streak against the Richmond Raiders (2-3). The Venom have been on somewhat of a roller coaster going 1-1 to start the season at home then going 1-1 in their recent road trip.
The Week 5 58-55 victory over the previously undefeated Columbus Lions was a microcosm of the 2015 season. Nashville went up early but fell behind after giving up the game's next 27 points. The offense then cut the lead to 27-20 at the half. The second half started bad for the Venom as QB Charles McCullum threw consecutive pick 6's to put Nashville down 48-27.
The Venom's defense bowed their backs in the second half forcing four turnovers and only giving up a lone TD. DB Jamie Graham (Whites Creek High/Vanderbilt University) forced three of the turnovers while DB/LB Will Johnson (Pearl-Cohn High/Tennessee Tech) grabbed an interception setting up Christian Reed's winning field goal from 18 yards out as time expired.
"They were relentless especially in the second half, "said Venom Head Coach Billy Back. "Walter Thomas couldn't be blocked. He along with rest of the defensive line's play was the key to the victory. (Doug) Rippy, (Steven) Turner, (Brian) Ellis and (Danny) Farr played very well. The plays that Jamie made were crucial. He was flying around and making plays. He sucked it up because he was injured. Will is known around the league as a vicious hitter. He broke on the ball for the interception. We will need the defense to put a complete game together this week.
Nashville's comeback victory was supported by some eye popping individual statistics. McCullum ended the game with 25 of 43 for 410 yards passing, eight TDs and three INTs. His yards and TDs are a Venom record. WR Jordan Jolly was named the PIFL Offensive Player of the Week catching 10 passes for 220 yards and four TDs. Fellow WR Zach Ducker matched Jolly's 10 catches and had 89 receiving yards and a TD. WR George Murray caught two TDs and newcomer Maurice Dupree caught a TD in his first action of the season.
"Those numbers are nice but because we played bad we had to put up big numbers just to win. I would rather have four TD passes and control the game. After the season all those numbers will look awesome. Right now we want consistency," added Back.
The Raiders started the season losing their first two games but have played much better of late defeating Venom nemesis the Alabama Hammers in Week 3. They then lost to the Lions in a close game before defeating the Trenton Freedom 52-50 last week.
WR Devin Wilson, a standout player at John Paul II High School in Nashville and Tennessee State University, leads Richmond in TDs receiving with eight. On defense the Raiders are led in tackles by Malik Cromartie. DB Brian Smith is tied in PIFL for the interception lead. Wilson, who was in camp with the Venom, will be the focus for the Venom this week.
"I'm sure he wants to do well in front of friends and family," said Back. "Our DBs went up against him in practice so they know how good he is. We also know there will be a lot of trash tackling back and forth. They have a very good and opportunistic defense. We will have to play well to win. They feel pretty good about themselves coming off a win. It's not easy in this league. I hope we are up to the challenge."
Snake Bites:
The Venom has resigned DL James Frazier. Frazier earned first team All-PIFL honors last season.
The British Broadcasting (BBC) will be filming part of a documentary they are doing on Janelly Martinez-Amador. Janelly is a patient at Vanderbilt University Hospital that was born with no bones.
Saturday's game KBM Military Night. All fans with a military ID will get in free. Also, all fans with can goods will get $2 off of their game ticket. All the can goods will go to The Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee
Images from this story
 Jamie Graham of the Nashville Venom |
 Devin Wilson of the Nashville Venom |
• Discuss this story on the Professional Indoor Football League message board...
Professional Indoor Football League Stories from April 23, 2015
- Hammers Travel To Columbus For Game 5 - Alabama Hammers
- Steelhawks 2015 First Quarter Report - Lehigh Valley Steelhawks
- Lions Looking to Get Back on Track against Hammers - Columbus Lions
- Venom Glad to be Back Home - Nashville Venom
- Last Minute Touchdown Dooms Raiders - Richmond Raiders
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
