Venom Look to Finish Season on a Good Note
June 11, 2015 - Professional Indoor Football League (PIFL)
Nashville Venom News Release
NASHVILLE (June 10, 2015) - Nashville's nickname Music City will be on showcase this weekend. Nashville recording artist Cowboy Troy will be performing at halftime of the Nashville Venom game, the Country Music Academy concerts at LP Field, Country Fan Jam at The Nashville Fairgrounds and The Bonnaroo Music Fest down the road in Manchester, the Venom (5-4) will look to make their own music when they take on the Erie Explosion (2-7) (Friday 7 p.m. Municipal Auditorium).
The Venom, right now in fifth place, still has an outside chance of hosting a playoff game. By virtue of falling in Week 12 to the Richmond Raiders, they are in a four way tie in the loss column for the final three playoff in the Professional Indoor Football League. Three of the teams will be in action this weekend with Richmond (7-4) idle. Trenton (6-4) will travel to Columbus, Georgia to take on the Lions (7-2). Lehigh Valley (6-4) will also be on the road when they play the Alabama Hammers (3-7).
A Columbus victory will ensure them home field advantage throughout the playoffs. It will also help the Venom who will play their final regular season game in Trenton which could be a win or go home situation for both teams.
"We have dug ourselves quite a hole by losing last week," said Venom head coach Billy Back. "We were out of synch last week and paid for it. We just need to make it in the playoffs and see what happens. I have no doubt in my mind that we are a good team. Everyone in our room needs to take a long look and see what they can do to turn this around. It starts on Friday."
Nashville lost 54-30 to the Raiders. After going up 22-17 in the second quarter, they gave up the next 37 straight points. The loss is the largest margin in team history. Erie, on the other hand, is coming in on a high note after defeating the Alabama Hammers 55-52. Explosion QB Mason Espinosa went 21-35 for 232 and six TDs passing. He also carried the ball four times for 29 yards and a TD. Espinosa's efforts earned him the PIFL Offensive Player of the Week.
In Week 7, Nashville traveled to Erie and won 63-35. The Venom scored TDs in all phases. Kenny Veal and Will Johnson both scored on defense and Mike Whittaker returned a kickoff for a TD. Doug Rippy had six first half QB sacks. Rippy and Whittaker were named the PIFL Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week respectively. Espinosa gave his team a spark when he came off the bench in the third quarter and engineered two consecutive TD drives to make it close. But the Venom took over and closed the deal outscoring Erie 28-7 the rest of the way.
"He came in off the bench and played well against us," said Venom CB Corry Stewart. "Our line pressured him and we were able to make plays. We need to have that same effort on Friday to come out victorious. Our goal across the board is to get back in a rhythm. Playoffs start now for us."
Snake Bites:
Because of all of the activity in Downtown Nashville, the Venom organization advises fans to get to the arena early.
There will be a longer halftime due to a performance by recording artist Cowboy Troy and a game of bubble ball where fans will be able to participate.
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Professional Indoor Football League Stories from June 11, 2015
- Lions Look to Secure Home Field for Playoffs this Saturday - Columbus Lions
- Venom Look to Finish Season on a Good Note - Nashville Venom
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