Venom Look For Payback
April 8, 2015 - Professional Indoor Football League (PIFL)
Nashville Venom News Release
Brian Ellis of the Nashville Venom
(Nashville Venom)
NASHVILLE- One of legendary soul singer James Brown's most famous songs was called ¬ËThe Big Payback'. On Saturday, the Nashville Venom (1-1) will travel an hour south looking to right a wrong. On opening night this season, they lost a rare home game to the Alabama Hammers (1-1) 34-26. The Hammers came to town with revenge on their minds because the Venom spoiled their 2014 home opener. Both teams were celebrating winning the PIFL championship from the previous year.
"They came in here and beat us up pretty well," said Venom Head Coach Billy Back. "They were more prepared and ready for us. We worked our tails off last week and it paid off. We hope the work the guys are putting in this week will do the same. We kind of owe them because they beat us at home."
Several Venom players made up for subpar games with their effort last week in their 55-28 victory over Lehigh Valley. Kicker Christian Reed (Station Camp High School) tied a personal best with four Unos. He also was 4 of 6 in extra points, kicked a field goal and threw a two point conversation pass to OL B.J. Taylor (UT-Chattanooga). Reed's efforts earned him the Week 3 PIFL Special Teams Player of the Week.
On offense, QB Charles McCullum (17 of 24, 234 yards) threw for seven touchdowns, three apiece to WR Jordan Jolly (10 catches 121 yards) and George Murray (4 catches 93 yards). The 300 pound Taylor caught the other TD. The unit did not turn the ball over. In his first start at center, Jeremy Buchanan (Antioch High School/UT-Martin) played well spelling an injured Harris Bivins.
The defense also played much better. They gave up only 15 points until late in the fourth quarter when Lehigh scored two touchdowns in garbage time. LB/DB Will Johnson (Pearl-Cohn High School 13 tackles) and Dedrick "Tuck" Tucker (3 tackles ½ sack) saw their first action of the season. Johnson's play earned him honorable mention Defensive Player of the Week.
Tucker played multiple positions on defense but was inserted in the lineup to long snap. His play didn't go unnoticed by Venom Player of the Game Brian Ellis who had two sacks, three batted passes and a blocked field goal.
"As far as those stats I can't take all the credit, it was a team effort," said Ellis. "The rest of the line and the whole defense meshed together. Tuck added a lot of help to the D line. For me it is a personal thing. Alabama made us look bad. We are working hard to redeem ourselves from that game."
The Hammers are sure to be ready for Nashville. They are coming off a tough 60-45 loss to Richmond after squandering an early lead. Saturday will be their 2015 home opener, so the game is setting up to be a classic.
Snake Bites:
The Venom has signed OLs Anthony Jackson (6'5 340 lbs.) and Sean Kennedy (6'5 345 lbs.). Jackson was the starting OG last season for the Venom.
Former Venom WR Phillip Barnett saw his first game action for the Tampa Bay Storm of AFL1.
The next Venom home game will be April 26 against the Richmond Raiders.
Images from this story
 Brian Ellis of the Nashville Venom |
Professional Indoor Football League Stories from April 8, 2015
- Alabama Hammers Game 3 Preview - Alabama Hammers
- Venom Look For Payback - Nashville Venom
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