Venom Remain Undefeated, Hold off Rio Grande Valley Sol
June 13, 2014 - Lone Star Football League (LSFL)
Amarillo Venom News Release
HIDALGO, Texas - After attaining a two game winning streak, the Amarillo Venom (5-4, LSFL) will seek to keep the momentum going when the defending LSFL champions travel to Hidalgo to lock horns with the league-leading Rio Grande Valley Sol (7-3, LSFL). The two teams will jettison for playoff positions at the State Farm Arena on June 14 at 7:05 p.m.
Since dropping a tough contest to the San Angelo Bandits on May 19, the Venom jolted back to life to even out the season series over New Mexico on May 24 and took a two game series lead over West Texas on June 7. For the Sol, they saw their four game winning streak snapped by San Angelo on June 7 to lock in the Bandits for playoff contention. The last time these teams battled was on March 29 at the Cal Farley Coliseum, where Amarillo held the usually high powered Sol to a season-low of 29 points.
Leading the Venom will be a triad of defenders in defensive lineman LaVonte Jackson, defensive lineman/offensive lineman Thomas Stubbs and defensive back Leroy Trahan. In last week's game against the West Texas Wildcatters, Jackson was credited with three tackles, two tackles for loss of yardage, two interceptions and one and half sacks. This stellar performance earned Jackson the LSFL Defensive Player of the Week honorific.
Also aiding in the defensive turnaround for Amarillo is Stubbs, who had been punishing quarterbacks since his professional debut on May 24 with two sacks against New Mexico and hauled in sack against the Wildcatters last week. In just two games, Stubbs has approaching fast on his all-time career sacks while at Lindenwood University of St. Charles, Mo.
The anchor in the defensive has been Trahan, who has quietly amassed one pick in each of the last two contests against LSFL opponents. The journeyman ball hawk has spent time with Arkansas State and Nicholls State before playing for the Laredo Rattlesnakes in 2013, becoming an LSFL first team defensive back in the process.
On the other side of the ball, the Venom will have to keep an eye on Rio Grande Valley quarterback Nate Davis, fullback/defensive lineman Tristan Carter and defensive back/wide receiver David Irizarry. Davis has had a relatively stellar 2014 season, leading the LSFL in total offense with more than 110 yards rushing, more than 2,000 yards passing and more than 45 touchdowns through the air.
Providing another dimension to Rio Grande Valley, Carter has rushed for more than 210 yards and more than ten touchdowns. However, the former Angelo State Ram and San Angelo Bandit has had problems in his last appearance against the Venom, only acquiring 16 yards on seven rushing attempts.
Lastly and perhaps the most dangerous player for the Sol is defensive back/wide receiver David Irizarry. Even though Irizarry didn't play against the Venom on their last meeting, the former Amarillo Venom defensive back earned the LSFL Special Teams Player of the Week by returning five kicks for 118 yards and returning one kick for a 40 yard touchdown. Irizarry has also brought in over seven interceptions on the 2014 season.
As the two rivals set the battle, the Venom will seek to continue their late season momentum in hostile territory. On the other hand, the Sol will aim to right their ship after suffering their first home loss of the season. For both sides, this game is critical as Amarillo will want to cement their playoff chances while the Sol attempt to stay ahead of the San Angelo Bandits in the LSFL standings.
The Amarillo Venom are a proud member of the Lone Star Football League. For more information and tickets, contact the Amarillo Venom office at (806) 350-7277.
Lone Star Football League Stories from June 13, 2014
- Venom Remain Undefeated, Hold off Rio Grande Valley Sol - Amarillo Venom
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