Local Venom Players Injecting Poison to Opponents
May 7, 2015 - Professional Indoor Football League (PIFL)
Nashville Venom News Release
Will Johnson and Jamie Graham of the Nashville Venom
(Nashville Venom)
NASHVILLE (May 6, 2015)- With six regular games in the books and five more to go, the Nashville Venom (4-2) are enjoying a well deserved bye week. After falling to 1-2 in a tough lost against the Alabama Hammers, the Venom have found a rhythm on all phases of the game.
A bulk of the credit goes to some Nashville area talent for the turnaround. A pretty good barometer to the resurgence has been takeaways. Of the 19 turnovers the Venom has received this season, 16 have come from guys with ties to the area. Father Ryan High School grad Corry Stewart is one behind the league leaders in interceptions with five one of which he has returned for a TD.
"It is fun playing in front of friends and family at home," said Stewart who leads the PIFL with 10 pass break ups. "Our defensive line does an excellent job getting pressure so it is up to us to make plays. Lately we have done a good job of that."
Former Vanderbilt star Jamie Graham (Whites Creek High) has five total takeaways. Will Johnson (Pearl-Cohn High /Tennessee Tech) has three takeaways returning one for a TD and getting a huge interception in the final minute against the Columbus Lions to set up the winning field goal. Ken Walton (Lebanon High) Mike Whittaker (Glencliff High/Tennessee State) and Darrell Holmes (Stratford High/Lane College) have also intercepted passes this season.
"We started the year acting as if people were going to lay down for us," said Venom head coach Billy Back. Offense puts people in the seats but defense wins championships. The first three games we had a total three takeaways. The last three games we have 16. That has made the biggest difference in our success. Our defensive line has been aggressive and our secondary has made the most of it."
Not to outdone, the Venom offensive has been played well also. FB Stanlee Bradley (Antioch High/ Cumberland University) has scored two rushing TDs. Holmes has been a speed threat in the running game scoring a rushing TD. WR Zach Ducker (Cumberland University) was making strides in his first season. Ducker is out for the season but he contributed 28 receptions for 258 yards and five TDs in a little over four games.
Christian Reed (Station Camp High) has been a bright spot on special teams. Reed leads the PIFL in Unos with 11, has a PIFL record long 52 yard field goal and has won the Special Teams Player of the Week twice this season. Whittaker won the same award this week scoring the lone kickoff return TD this season in the PIFL racing 58 yards and also contributed a 48 yard return.
Having local guys on your team obviously helps with attendance at games and support from the community. According to Back, there are other factors involved.
"It is important for us to get contributions from local players for a plethora of reasons," said Back. First and foremost they will have to be able to play. All of those guys are playing at a high level. We have a few more guys on the roster that we will be relying on from the area more. "
Current Players from Nashville Area on the Venom Roster:
Num Name Nashville Affiliation
2 Jamie Graham Whites Creek High School/Vanderbilt
3 Dontel Watkins Antioch High School
6 Amius Smith Kenwood High School/Austin Peay
12 Zach Ducker Cumberland University
14 Darrell Holmes Stratford High School/Lane College
16 Will Johnson Pearl-Cohn High School/Tennessee Tech
18 Mike Whittaker Glencliff High School/Tennessee State
20 Corry Stewart Father Ryan High School
21 Ken Walton Lebanon High School
38 Christian Reed Station Camp High School
55 Jeremy Buchanan Antioch High School
99 Stanlee Bradley Antioch High School/Cumberland University
Coaches:
Tramont Lawless Pearl-Cohn High School
Cromwell Stewart Father Ryan High School
Images from this story
 Darrell Holmes and Corry Stewart of the Nashville Venom |
 Will Johnson and Jamie Graham of the Nashville Venom |
Professional Indoor Football League Stories from May 7, 2015
- Local Venom Players Injecting Poison to Opponents - Nashville Venom
- Lions Look to Get Back on Top of PIFL this Weekend - Columbus Lions
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