Venom Look to Cool down Red-Hot Raiders
Published on June 24, 2015 under Professional Indoor Football League (PIFL)
Nashville Venom News Release
NASHVILLE- Being a champion has its ups and downs. The upside is that you accomplished a goal that no other team can boast about. The bad thing is every team in your league is looking to defeat you. In 2015, the 2014 Professional Indoor Football League champion Nashville Venom (7-4) learned that the hard way. After starting the season 1-2 and looking like a shell of themselves, the Venom finished the season going 6-2 after that. Those two losses came at the hands of the top two teams in the PIFL, the Columbus Lions (8-3) and the Richmond Raiders (8-4).
The loss to Richmond was the largest margin that the Venom has suffered since its inception. After going up 22-17 in the second quarter, the Venom was outscored 36-7 the rest of the way falling 54-30. Nashville WR Jordan Jolly had a stellar game grabbing nine catches for 99 yards and two TDs. The loss forced the Venom to take a long look in the mirror. The Venom has a chance to avenge that loss on Monday in the first round of the PIFL Playoffs. Head Coach Billy Back was particularly upset after that loss.
"We had a lot of guys not stepping up and pointing fingers," said Back. "We had to challenge everyone in our locker room including the coaching staff. We have responded well since then. Having a bull's-eye on our backs all season was taxing. Teams were gunning for us. Now being the third seed we hope teams take us lightly. Like last year when we played Columbus in the first round, we think this game will be the two best teams in the league. They beat us up pretty bad the last time. We have our full contingent this time so we will se what happens."
On Saturday the top seeded Lions will take on the fourth seeded Lehigh Valley Steelhawks. The winner of both games will then for the PIFL Cup. Winners of six in a row, the Raiders are coming off of an impressive 77-8 victory over the Erie Explosion. Their explosiveness on offense and stinginess on defense will be a tough test for Nashville. A win by the Venom and Steelhawks will make it a repeat for both teams and the game will be in Nashville.
"We want to play the best and guess what, Richmond is," said Venom QB Charles McCullum. "They made us look bad when we played them earlier. Their crowd will also be a factor. They are the best in the PIFL too. Our goal is to win on Monday and let the other stuff fall where they may. T bhere are four teams left and we are happy to be one of them. It's winning time now. I'm ready to get out there now."
Snake Bites:
Defensive linemen James Frazier and Steven Turner should be back in the lineup for Nashville long with DB Jaime Graham.
FB Stanlee Bradley will be back in the lineup after serving a one game suspension.
The Venom will now be able to dress 20 players this week. The league penalized them the last three games and had them dress 19 players for undisclosed reasons.
Professional Indoor Football League Stories from June 24, 2015
- Venom Look to Cool down Red-Hot Raiders - Nashville Venom
- Venom Duo Nab Players of the Week - Nashville Venom
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