Venom Travel to Richmond to take on Red Hot Raiders
June 4, 2015 - Professional Indoor Football League (PIFL)
Nashville Venom News Release
Kicker Christian Reed of the Nashville Venom
(Nashville Venom)
NASHVILLE- It's Week 12 in the Professional Indoor Football League (PIFL) and teams are preparing for the playoffs. All eyes this week in the PIFL will be on Richmond, Virginia as the Nashville Venom (5-3) travel to take the red hot Richmond Raiders (6-4) in what should be a barnburner.
Winners of the four in the row, the Raiders are looking for a split against the Venom. On April 25th in Nashville, the Venom defeated Richmond 69-49 in a game that was close until Nashville scored on defense touchdowns on consecutive possessions to put the game away in the fourth quarter. The 69 points represent the most given up by Richmond this season.
"They have been on a roll since they left Nashville," said Venom head coach Billy Back. "That was six weeks ago and a lot has changed since then. They have big receivers across the board so we need to be ready for that. This is a huge test for us."
The best contest within the contest may be between arguably the two best kickers in the PIFL. Richmond's T.C. Stevens has won four Special Teams Player of the Week honors this season. Nashville's Christian Reed was named twice. In the April 25th game, Reed outscored Stevens 15-7 kicking four Uno's and a 52 yard field goal.
"I was struggling a bit prior to that game," said Reed. "Kicking against the best in the league brings the best out of me. He is a great kicker so I will have to be ready."
A Venom win would give them sole possession of second place by virtue of defeating Lehigh-Valley who at this point holds the spot. The top two spots at the end of the regular season will host a first round playoff game. A loss could put Nashville in a tie in the loss column with a Trenton team that they will have to travel to on June 20. Trenton travels to Lehigh-Valley on Saturday. The team knows the importance of focusing on the game in front of them.
"We can't scoreboard watch we have to take care of our own business," said Back. "If we win out then we play at home. If we lose then we may not make the playoffs. It is simple as that. We can't win out unless we win Saturday. That's the only thing on my mind."
Snake Bites:
Venom MLB Doug Rippy is second in the PIFL with nine sacks.
Injured starters Jordan Jolly, Stanlee Bradley and Jaime Graham are game time decisions.
Richmond QB Jonathan Bane has won the last two PIFL Offensive Player of the Week honors.
Country music singer Cowboy Troy will do a halftime show for the June 12th game against the Erie Explosion.
Images from this story
 Kicker Christian Reed of the Nashville Venom |
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Professional Indoor Football League Stories from June 4, 2015
- Venom Travel to Richmond to take on Red Hot Raiders - Nashville Venom
- Raiders Seek To Avenge Midseason Loss To Nashville - Richmond Raiders
- Ultimate Fan Contest Begins Now - Trenton Freedom
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