New Additions Ignite Venom Past Stars, 44-33
May 26, 2014 - Lone Star Football League (LSFL)
Amarillo Venom News Release
AMARILLO, Texas - After experiencing their second two-game losing streak of the year, the Venom (4-4, LSFL) returned home to the Cal Farley Coliseum to prevail over the New Mexico Stars (4-5, LSFL) on May 24, 44-33. The Venom even up the season series with the Stars at two apiece, while remaining in the thick of the Lone Star Football League playoff hunt.
"We have to take it one game a time to make sure that we get that win," Amarillo Venom Head Coach Julian Reese said, comparing the performance by the Venom against the Stars compared to their earlier contest against the Bandits on May 19.
The beginning of the game saw New Mexico quarterback Brian Harris hook up with wide receiver Jerome McGee from 29 yards out for the touchdown. However, Venom wide receiver/defensive back Donta Bright would block the following PAT.
Amarillo would start off the game in a small rut, as the Venom would start their first drive at their own one yard line. After a false start penalty on fullback Shaka Harris, quarterback Christian Caflisch would yield a safety to give New Mexico an early 8-0 lead.
With their backs against the wall, Bright would make a leaping interception in the endzone, robbing Harris of another touchdown pass.
Caflisch would quickly regain his composure and lead the Venom offense down the field, culminating in a seven yard quarterback keeper. After the successful PAT from kicker Jose Chavez, the Venom would trail by one with 7:46 left in the first quarter.
The Stars would respond by starting off at midfield, where the subsequent penalties would push the Stars forward and backward. This wouldn't keep Harris from completing a 25 yard touchdown pass to wide receiver/defensive back Roland Bruno. With another failed PAT, New Mexico would hold a 14-7 lead.
Taking over at their own 11 yard line, the Venom sought to reply in kind. However, defensive back/kicker Jasyon Serda would pick off a Caflisch pass at the New Mexico four yard line. The Venom defense would step up and halt the New Mexico drive, resulting in a near interception for Bright and an attempted 60 yard field goal from Serda on fourth down. An offsides penalty by the Venom would enable the Stars to go for the conversion and convert via a Harris pass to wide receiver Dexter Manley, yet decide to take forgo the pass and settle for a roughing on the passer penalty by Amarillo defensive lineman Kevin Myers.
The second quarter saw defensive back Raymond Berry pick off Harris, resulting in Caflisch again driving the Venom down the field. At the Stars five yard line, the Venom would find themselves facing a critical fourth down. Due to an offsides call on the Stars, the Venom would inch closer to the two yard line. From there, Caflisch used a delayed handoff to wide receiver Craig Fulton Jr. for a Venom touchdown. The PAT was successful, tying the game at 14-14 with 10 minutes remaining in the half.
After the ensuing kickoff, the Stars would start off at their own 12 yard line. There, defensive lineman Thomas Stubbs would sack Harris for a three yard loss.
"[The two sacks] were good," Stubbs said, evaluating his performance against the Stars. "A third [sack] would have been nice, but there was a penalty. I had three penalties myself, so once I get that down - I should be good. It's my fourth day here, playing arena [football] all together. It was kind of weird at first, but I believe I've got a hang of this."
Stubbs had recently graduated on May 17, before getting picked up by the Venom.
"It was a different look and a big spark, so we're glad to have [Bright and Stubbs]," Reese said concerning the impact made by the team's latest signings. "[Bright] always brought energy. We liked Stubbs as soon as he got here, he's a big comedian so he fit right in. We're excited to have him, and I know he was excited to be here. He had a huge impact on that defensive line."
The Stars would then fail to convert on fourth down, leaving the Venom deep in New Mexico territory. Unfortunately, the Venom would fail to capitalize, as a Caflisch pass to Bright would slip through the latter's hands.
While the Stars and the Venom jostled for the go-ahead score, Amarillo defensive back Ron Evans Jr. picks off an errant pass from Harris and returned the pick for a touchdown. Even with the missed PAT, the Venom took their first lead of the game with less than four minutes left in the half.
New Mexico would fail to go away, as Harris would shake off the pick with a 10 yard touchdown pass to McGee. The Stars would retake the lead, 21-20 with the successful PAT.
Going the other way, Caflisch and the Venom would again use quarterback scrambles and small yardage rushing by Shaka Harris to the opponent four yard line. The drive would result in a fingertip catch by wide receiver Raymond Johnson for the go-ahead score. Along with a two point conversion courtesy of Shaka Harris, the Venom would regain the lead and not look back going into the break.
The second half would start off with a bang, seeing Caflisch would quickly make the touchdown strike to Fulton Jr. to stretch the lead to 35-21 nearly three minutes into the half.
Using a short kickoff to their advantage, the Stars would find themselves at the Venom three yard line. What ensued was a long winded drive that saw penalties by both squads, until New Mexico fullback/defensive lineman Roosevelt Falls rumbled in for the score from two yards out. After penalties prolonged the PAT attempts, New Mexico would fail to convert the two-pointer, chipping away at the Venom lead.
What followed was another stretch of defensive stops and missed scoring opportunities. This would lead up to a fullback/linebacker Undre Hendrix sack on Harris, a 16 yard Chavez chip shot field goal and Bright cutting off Stars receiver Carl Winston for his second pick of the game.
"Personally, I played crappy," Bright said, sharing his thoughts on his performance. "I had two picks, because I was at the right place at the right time. The picks woke up the defense and that was what I was brought in to do - is try to be a leader on the field. Instead of the hoo-hoorah, just be a leader by my actions. I gave up three touchdowns, but next game, it will be different - I promise."
The Venom would again drive down the field, and would see Chavez kick in a 45 yard field goal to extend the Amarillo lead to 41-27 with less than four minutes in the game.
"It was about time," Chavez said, sharing this thoughts on making the field goal. "I had another try in another game and I missed, and I had one earlier in the game and missed it. It felt good and boosted my confidence."
The Stars would start again, but is initially hampered by another sack on Harris from Stubbs. However, Harris would eventually connect with McGee for a Star touchdown with 55 seconds left. The two conversion would fail, as Venom linebacker Arthur Smith would intercept the ball and dash to midfield before being tackled.
However, the Stars would fail to go away as Serda would recover the New Mexico onside kick. This would allow the Stars, within eight, to be able to send the game into overtime. Unfortunately for New Mexico, those hopes were dashed as defensive back LeRoy Trahan intercepted the ball.
As the clock continued to wind down, the Venom would see another field goal from Chavez, who knocked the final score of game from 22 yards out. With the game essentially over, the Stars would allow Bruno a hand at the quarterback position. While completing a pass to Winston, the Stars would fall short as the Venom sealed the victory.
"It was the system that I've running the whole season so far," Caflisch said, taking over as starting quarterback after working as a wide receiver and backup quarterback. "As a receiver, I knew all the routes and all of that. And being around whole year, I had continuity with all of the guys. Starting with the offensive line, they did a tremendous job in this game and the receivers did phenomenal - It was a whole team effort. That's what we needed to get back on track and play Venom football, the way it's supposed to be."
Caflisch was 11 for 20 in the game, with two passing touchdowns, one rushing touchdown and one interception. When asked about being a potential starter for the rest of the season, Caflisch cited that he will do whatever is best for the team - whether it is playing quarterback and returning to the wide receiver position.
For the Stars, Harris went 10 for 29 with four touchdown passes and five interceptions.
The Venom will take another bye week before continuing their home stand on June 7 against the West Texas Wildcatters. New Mexico will return home to Rio Rancho, N.M. on May 31 to get back on track against the San Angelo Bandits.
With the upcoming home game, the Venom will honor Texas Gold Night while donning special throwback uniforms for the occasion. Game time for the second meeting between the Venom and Wildcatters will take place at 7:05 p.m.
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 26, 2014
- New Additions Ignite Venom Past Stars, 44-33 - Amarillo Venom
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