Injuries and Miscues Plague Venom, Drop to Bandits
May 20, 2014 - Lone Star Football League (LSFL)
Amarillo Venom News Release
SAN ANGELO, Texas - Despite a stellar first half, Foster Communications Coliseum continued to be a house of horrors for the Amarillo Venom (3-4, LSFL) as they endured a tough 77-32 loss to the San Angelo Bandits (5-3, LSFL) on May 19. This loss pushes the Venom out of the playoff picture temporarily while San Angelo cements its grasp on second place.
The beginning of the game started off hot for San Angelo, as wide receiver Lamans Casimier returned the opening kickoff for a 48 yard touchdown. Along with the successful PAT, the Bandits started off with a seven point lead.
Beginning at their own 14 yard line due to a penalty by the Bandits, the Venom were led onto the field by newly signed quarterback John David Baker. It didn't take long for the San Angelo native to make noise, as his completed his first professional pass to newly signed wide receiver Darnel Williams, an LSFL veteran and former Laredo Rattlesnake. After scrambling past multiple defenders for a first down and connecting with wide receiver Raymond Johnson for another, Baker led the Venom to a touchdown via quarterback dive to even the score.
San Angelo then responded swiftly, as two Venom penalties enabled quarterback Luke Collis to fire a touchdown pass to Casimier from six yards out. With the help of a mishandled snap by the Venom that killed the subsequent drive, Collis was able to drive down the field with the help of Casimier. Collis then hooked up with wide receiver Johnny Thomas from seven yards out to propel the Bandits to a 14 point lead to end the first quarter.
As the Venom started from their own six yard line, Baker was able to churn up another drive with a 15 yard completion to Johnson, while running back/defensive back Shaka Harris converted the first down. Baker then shown a display a flash of brilliance, as the quarterback deceived the San Angelo defense with a screen pass to the right side, floating the ball to wide receiver/defensive back Craig Fulton Jr. to a huge first down on the Bandit seven yard line. Baker than completed a subsequent pass to Williams on the Bandit one before calling his own number for the touchdown.
With the Venom trailing only by seven points, the Bandits used another big kickoff return by Casimier to the Venom seven yard line. However, due to a penalty, the Bandits had to start on the Venom 17. Collis would complete a first down pass to Thomas to the Venom six, before yielding an interception to stalwart defensive back Ron Evans Jr. after relentless pressure by the Venom defense.
However, as momentum started to shift toward the Venom, the drive stalled as heavy pressure from the Bandit defense led to two sacks on Baker on third and fourth down. Taking over at the Venom 11, Collis threw a quick strike to Thomas from 12 yards out to give San Angelo a 28-14 lead going into the break.
Coming back from halftime, the Venom shown some signs of life as Fulton Jr. recovered the kickoff and took the ball down to the Bandit five yard line. However, penalties hampered a potential touchdown, leading to a field goal by kicker Jose Chavez to keep Amarillo within striking range.
The Venom would almost claw back into the game after the Bandits began their drive, as fullback/linebacker Undre Hendrix dropped a potential interception. However, the Bandits were able to convert twice on fourth down, culminating in a Collis to wide receiver LeJuan Edwards touchdown pass. This would lead into a 35-17 San Angelo lead with 4:35 in the third quarter.
As the Venom would attempt to mount a comeback, as Baker would connect with Johnson at their own 15 yard line followed by a Fulton Jr. rush for a first down. Yet as the Venom drive was picking up some steam, pressure from the Bandit defense forced Baker into thrown an errant pass to San Angelo defensive back Austin Benson for a pick six. On the play, Baker went down with a concussion and effectively ended the night for the quarterback.
The Bandits would then turn a botched PAT attempt into a two point conversion, extending their lead to 43-24.
On the following Venom drive, wide receiver Christian Caflisch made the quick transition to quarterback, throwing a 20 yard pass to Williams for a touchdown. This would cut the Bandit lead down to 20 with 22 seconds left in the third quarter.
With the fourth quarter starting up, the Bandits would set up shop at the Venom 13. Collis would quickly connect with Thomas for another Bandit score, stretching their lead to 49-24 with the missed extra point. While the Venom would take over at the Bandit 19 yard line, bad luck would strike yet again as defensive back Jeremiah Turner would jump in front of a Caflisch pass. The Bandits would then convert the turnover into points as Collis would connect with Casimier for a touchdown. After the extra point, the Bandits would open up the floodgates with a 56-24 advantage.
Amarillo would cease to back away without a fight, as Caflisch would drive the Venom down the field. The Texas A&M product would overcome a sack before scrambling on the next two plays for a rushing touchdown. Aided by a subsequent PAT and a rare rouge by the Bandits, the Venom would trail by a score of 56-32.
San Angelo then began their following drive on their own five yard line, but would score quickly as Collis would hit Thomas once more from seven yards out. After a second botch field goal attempt into a two point conversion, the Bandits didn't look back.
After two Caflisch interceptions, both to Bandit defensive back DeMarcus James, the Bandits would convert the two turnovers into points. The first score would see the fourth touchdown connection between Collis and Thomas, while the final score came from a Collis strike to wide receiver Gary Edwards, who fumbled the ball at the Venom one yard line before picking up the ball for the score.
After the victory, the San Angelo Bandits will entertain the West Texas Wildcatters at the Foster Communications Coliseum for another Monday night game on May 26. The Bandits have been undefeated thus far at home this season.
In tumbling to fourth place in the LSFL, the Amarillo Venom will look to lick their wounds and recover on May 24 as they host the New Mexico Stars. The contest will take place at the Cal Farley Coliseum at 7:05 p.m., as the Venom will celebrate Superheroes Night with honoring military and first responders with free tickets. Along with free backpacks for the first 500 fans, there will also be a performance and indoor fireworks of TEXAS.
The Amarillo Venom are a proud member of the Lone Star Football League. For more information and tickets, contact the Amarillo Venom office at (806) 350-7277.
Lone Star Football League Stories from May 20, 2014
- Injuries and Miscues Plague Venom, Drop to Bandits - Amarillo Venom
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.
