Roughnecks Hold On For 37-34 Win Over Amarillo
March 26, 2011 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
West Texas Roughnecks News Release
MIDLAND, TX. : The West Texas Roughnecks held on for a crucial 37-34 victory over the Amarillo Venom on Friday night, March 25, at the Ector County Coliseum. Trailing 34-31, the Roughnecks compiled a five-play 38-yard drive late in the fourth quarter and capped it off with a two-yard touchdown run from running back DeWayne Hogan to take a 37-34 lead. On the ensuing kickoff, Venom kick returner Cashmin Thomas fumbled the football which was recovered by Roughnecks kicker Cody Lee. The Roughnecks sealed the victory with an interception by DB Marrio Norman off Venom QB X'Zavier Bloodsaw with under 18 seconds remaining in regulation. The Roughnecks improve their overall record to 3-1 as the Amarillo Venom have dropped to 0-4 on the season.
After both teams were held to missed field goals to begin the ball game, the Roughnecks struck first with a nine-yard touchdown pass from QB Arkelon Hall to RB Evin Jones giving the Roughnecks a 7-0 lead. After the Venom blocked a Cody Lee field goal attempt, Amarillo tied the game at seven when X'Zavier Bloodsaw connected with Kenyon Scott for a 12-yard touchdown pass. The Roughnecks would counter with a 45-yard drive which ended with a five-yard touchdown pass from Hall to wide out Ryan Bugg giving the Roughnecks a 14-7 lead. Amarillo would swing the momentum in their favor before the end of the first half as X'Zavier Bloodsaw completed a 21-yard touchdown pass to wide out DuVaughn Flagler to tie the game at 14.
In the second-half Roughnecks DB Anthony Beck intercepted X'Zavier Bloodsaw on the Venom's first offensive series which led to a 37-yard touchdown pass from Arkelon Hall to WR Josh Floyd, giving the Roughnecks a 20-14 lead. The Venom would quickly counter with a one-yard touchdown run from Bloodsaw to take their first lead of the game at 21-20. Both offensive units would exchange interceptions to close out the third quarter as Venom DB Anthony Stubbs intercepted Arkelon Hall and DB Marrio Norman collected his first of two interceptions to help set up the Roughnecks next scoring drive.
The Roughnecks would retake the lead early in the fourth quarter, 23-21, as kicker Cody Lee added a 19-yard field goal. Amarillo would retake the lead on their next possession making it a five-point difference as X'Zavier Bloodsaw found WR Raymond Johnson for a 30-yard touchdown pass, making the score 28-23. Trailing by five, the Roughnecks would counter with a drive that ended with a one-yard touchdown run from DeWayne Hogan, followed by a two-point conversion, giving the Roughnecks a three-point lead at 31-28. Amarillo would continue to hang tough in the fourth quarter as X'Zavier Bloodsaw added a one-yard touchdown run giving the lead back to Amarillo at 34-31.
With under three minutes remaining in regulation the Roughnecks compiled another successful scoring drive that ended with DeWayne Hogan's second rushing touchdown of the game, this time giving the Roughnecks a 37-34 lead. On the ensuing kickoff, Venom kick returner Cashmin Thomas was stripped of the football while during the return as the loose football was recovered by kicker Cody Lee at the Roughnecks 20 yard line. The Roughnecks would take time off the clock but failed to convert on fourth down and two, leaving Amarillo with the football at their own five yard line and 21 seconds remaining on the clock. Two plays later, DB Marrio Norman intercepted X'Zavier Bloodsaw on a deep pass which closed out the victory for the Roughnecks.
The Roughnecks will be on the road next week to face the Wichita Wild on Friday, April 1 as the Venom will return home to host the Allen Wranglers on Saturday, April 2 in a Lone Star divisional match-up.
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Indoor Football League Stories from March 26, 2011
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- Third down struggles cost Beef season's first loss - Omaha Beef
- Roughnecks Hold On For 37-34 Win Over Amarillo - West Texas Roughnecks
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