Turnover Bug Bites Venom, Fall Short of Stars, 70-49
Published on April 20, 2014 under Lone Star Football League (LSFL)
Amarillo Venom News Release
RIO RANCHO, N.M. - Despite fighting until the end of the ballgame, five turnovers prevented the Amarillo Venom (2-2, LSFL) from overtaking the New Mexico Stars (2-3) at the Santa Ana Star Center on April 19 by the score of 70-49. With the loss by Amarillo and the win by New Mexico, the Lone Star Football League standings have become a free-for-all.
Early in the game, New Mexico would quickly jump to a 14-6 with less than nine minutes left in the first quarter. While kicker Jose Chavez was unable to close the gap with an early missed field goal, the Venom defense would sack New Mexico quarterback Andrew McGlory in the endzone to inch the Venom within six.
Unfortunately for Amarillo, that was the closest that they got. Venom quarterback Brendan Crawford would yield two consecutive pick sixes by Stars defensive back Marcus Smith as New Mexico would take a 27-8 lead early in the second quarter. The Venom would not fade, as fullback Undre Hendrix rumbled for a 28 yard touchdown rush to keep the Venom within 13 points.
McGlory would respond with near perfect completions before walking into the end zone to extend New Mexico's lead to 20. The Venom would reply with Crawford hooking up with wide receiver Michael Carter with a 26 yard touchdown pass. McGlory would then drive the Stars down the turf, culminating in a touchdown pass to wide receiver Jerome McGee. This would send both squads into the locker room at halftime with New Mexico leading the Venom, 40-21.
The second half would sing the same sad song for the Venom, as Smith would pick off another Crawford pass and kill off another prospective Amarillo drive. New Mexico's McGlory would then toss a 35 yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Roland Bruno to extend the Stars lead at 46-21.
Amarillo would attempt to keep the game close, as Crawford would connect with wide receivers DJ Beshears and Raymond Johnson on consecutive plays before Crawford would score on a quarterback keeper. The scramble would be Crawford second touchdown rush of the night.
However, another failed onside kick would place the Stars deep in Amarillo territory. In a stroke of luck, the Stars would lose the ball as it was recovered by converted defensive back Raymond Johnson. The Venom would attempt to capitalize on the turnover, using penalties committed by New Mexico and a Beshears completion to keep their drive alive. However, a costly fumble by Hendrix would give away to yet another touchdown pass between McGlory and McGee. After the failed PAT, the Stars would not look back at they led the Venom 52-28 early in the final quarter.
The Venom would hit another stroke of bad luck as Crawford was sacked by the New Mexico defense, losing a fumble deep in Amarillo territory. Although the Stars would start on the red zone, a pick six by defensive back Craig Fulton Jr. would keep the Venom within striking range at 52-35 with 11 minutes left in the ballgame.
Sadly, another failed onside kick would place the Stars on the Amarillo three yard line. McGlory would score on a quarterback keeper and utilize a kickoff muff by the Venom to place themselves at an advantage.
Even though the Stars began their drive at their own 10 yard line, New Mexico would turn the ball over on downs and enable the Venom to score via a Crawford touchdown pass to Raymond Johnson with six and a half minutes left in the contest.
New Mexico would answer the Venom once more as McGlory would drive the Stars down the field and hook up with Bruno with a 64-41 score. The Venom would start to play for pride at this point, as Crawford would toss a pass to wide receiver Christian Caflisch for a Venom touchdown and a two point conversion to place the Venom with 49 points.
To end the game, however, the Venom were unable to convert an onside kick which enable McGlory and the Stars to score their final touchdown of the game. Which a Crawford incomplete pass as time ran out, the Stars would win by the score of 70-49.
As New Mexico would clinch their second victory of the year, the Venom fall to .500 in the young season. With an upset win by the West Texas Wildcatters over the San Angelo Bandits earlier in the evening, the playoff picture in the LSFL became all the more cloudy as the Venom would find themselves in an uncomfortable third place in the league.
Amarillo will be able to put their nightmarish roadtrip behind them as they return to the Cal Farley Coliseum of the Amarillo Civic Center on April 26 as they play host to the West Texas Wildcatters at 7:05 p.m. The Venom will also welcome Education Night, where teachers can get their tickets half price with proper identification.
The Amarillo Venom are a proud member of the LSFL. For more information and tickets, contact the Amarillo Venom office at (806) 350-7277.
Lone Star Football League Stories from April 20, 2014
- Turnover Bug Bites Venom, Fall Short of Stars, 70-49 - Amarillo Venom
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