Roughnecks Face Venom For Second Time In Three Weeks
March 26, 2010 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
West Texas Roughnecks News Release
MIDLAND, TX. : The West Texas Roughnecks look to snap a two-game losing streak when they travel to Amarillo to face the Venom on Saturday, March 27. It is the second meeting in three weeks between both clubs as the Roughnecks look to climb back into the Lone Star Western Division race. The Roughnecks are coming off a 47-35 loss to the Corpus Christi Hammerheads back on Sunday, March 21. The Roughnecks put together an impressive first half against Corpus with two touchdown passes from QB Tommy Jones and rushing touchdowns from Jorvorskie Lane & DeWayne Hogan. The Roughnecks carried a 27-20 lead into the second half but the momentum switched into the Hammerheads favor as QB Wes Cooper connected on three touchdown passes, and the Hammerheads defense held the Roughnecks on three fourth down situations to seal the win. The Roughnecks offense had a much better showing as Tommy Jones was intercepted just once and the new line-up of receivers produced a balanced offense in the passing game along with the running game.
In their previous meeting, the Venom defeated the Roughnecks back on March 13, 53-27. QB Tommy Jones was intercepted four times as Venom QB Julian Reese threw for 155 yards and four touchdowns. Sha'Ron Edwards posted 44 yards on the ground with two scores as the Roughnecks defense had difficulties with containing the rushing game and short-yardage passing. Roughnecks linebacker and leading tackler Eric Henri is questionable for Saturday's game due to a rib injury, so look for Johnny Anderson to be a factor behind the defensive line for the Roughnecks. The Roughnecks defensive line, led by Jermaine Blakely and James Vess, will have an important test in containing the Venom running game along with the running abilities of Julian Reese. Another essential factor will be the Roughnecks secondary and their attempt to contain the big play in important moments of the game.
Offensively, the Roughnecks recently re-signed wide out Jimmy Conner to add depth and leadership to the receiving core. Conner led the IFL with 90 receptions in 2009 and was an All-IFL Second Team selection following the regular season. Newly added receivers Steve Bergeski and Joshua Floyd will look to continue their good starts to the season as Bergeski caught three passes with one score, and Floyd posted 146 all-purpose yards against Corpus. Ryan Bugg is fifth in the IFL in receiving with 17 receptions and he leads the Roughnecks with 223 receiving yards. Look for the Roughnecks to pound the football inside the red-zone with Jorvorskie Lane and DeWayne Hogan.
This game marks the second and final meeting between both teams for the 2010 regular season. The Venom look to open up their season at 2-0 with two divisional wins over the Roughnecks. The Venom defense will look to provide the same pressure on Tommy Jones as they did back on March 13. Additionally look for DB Kevin Patterson to build off of his last performance when he intercepted Jones twice and posted ten tackles. Offensively, look for wide outs Carl Johnson and DuVaughn Flagler to be the key play-makers for the Venom.
Game Time / Location: 7:00 p.m. kickoff - Amarillo Civic Center, Amarillo, TX
Broadcast: 95.1 BOB FM (6:40 p.m. start)
Online: BOB FM - www.boblivesintexas.com / B2 Networks - www.b2livetv.com
Next Game: Following a bye week - West Texas Roughnecks at San Angelo Stampede Express (Saturday, April 10, 2010)
Amarillo Venom at Austin Turfcats (Saturday, April 3, 2010)
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