Post by 50yardfan on Jul 5, 2010 9:03:58 GMT -5
Post second shutout to end season on six-game winning streak
www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2010/jul/04/venom-close-out-strong-post-second-shutout-to-end/?sports
WENATCHEE — The Wasilla Arctic Predators drove to the Wenatchee Valley Venom’s 1 yard line in the last minute of the game, but the Venom defense was able to come up with a number of key stops, and run out the clock.
The dramatic defensive stand wasn’t to win the game, but rather to preserve the Venom’s second shutout of the season in their 74-0 season-ending victory over the Arctic Predators. The question of whether or not the Arctic Predators would score provided the only drama in a game where the final outcome was determined shortly after the opening kickoff.
“I told our guys, if they score on us it was going to feel like we lost,” Venom coach Brian Smith said of the defense’s last stand.
After losing six of their first eight games, the Venom ended the season on a six-game winning streak and ended up one win short of the playoffs.
“I don’t think anybody would want to be playing us in the playoffs right now,” Smith said. “I’m just really proud of the guys and how they developed.”
The Venom and Predators were clearly two teams headed in opposite directions. The Wasilla team that took the field Saturday was a rag-tag collection of players from other leagues, thrown together after the Arctic Predators ran into financial difficulties and the players with which they opened the season abandoned ship.
“I just wish we could have had a little more time to prepare,” said Predators coach Adrian Johnson, who started the season as a Yakima Valley assistant. “We were able to move the ball, but our timing just wasn’t there.”
The Venom were able to take advantage on both sides of the ball. Offensively they scored on every possession, and defensively they intercepted two passes, forced three fumbles and sacked Arctic Predators quarterback Erick Simonson eight times, including once for a safety.
“We were firing on all cylinders,” Venom coach Brian Smith said. “Right now we’re right where we wanted to be at this point in the season.”
Isaiah Wily led the defensive effort with a pair of sacks, six tackles and a fumble recovery.
“We hustled to the ball, just like we did against Wyoming, San Jose and Yakima,” he said. “We play the same way no matter what the competition is.”
The Venom got on the board less than a minute into the game on a 3-yard run by Travis Rhone after Wasilla fumbled on its first play from scrimmage.
Wenatchee led 15-0 after the first quarter and 36-0 at halftime.
The Arctic Predators fumbled on their first two possessions of the second half, including once inside the Wenatchee 5 with less than three minutes left in the third quarter.
Neal Sharma came on in relief of starting quarterback Devin Hollins on the Venom’s next series, and he had just as much success guiding the offense the rest of the way. Hollins threw for 174 yards and four touchdowns on 15-of-18 passing, and Sharma was 6-for-7 for 80 yards and three scores.
“It’s kind of sad to be done,” Hollins said. “I met a lot of great guys here and it’s a great community. We finished up strong, and hopefully next season we’ll get the respect that we deserve.”
Four different players scored two touchdowns each for the Venom. Phil Goodman led the receiving corps with 10 catches for 113 yards, and he Tim Simmons and Maurice Bryant each caught a pair of scoring passes, while Travis Rhone had one touchdown receiving and one rushing.
www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2010/jul/04/venom-close-out-strong-post-second-shutout-to-end/?sports
WENATCHEE — The Wasilla Arctic Predators drove to the Wenatchee Valley Venom’s 1 yard line in the last minute of the game, but the Venom defense was able to come up with a number of key stops, and run out the clock.
The dramatic defensive stand wasn’t to win the game, but rather to preserve the Venom’s second shutout of the season in their 74-0 season-ending victory over the Arctic Predators. The question of whether or not the Arctic Predators would score provided the only drama in a game where the final outcome was determined shortly after the opening kickoff.
“I told our guys, if they score on us it was going to feel like we lost,” Venom coach Brian Smith said of the defense’s last stand.
After losing six of their first eight games, the Venom ended the season on a six-game winning streak and ended up one win short of the playoffs.
“I don’t think anybody would want to be playing us in the playoffs right now,” Smith said. “I’m just really proud of the guys and how they developed.”
The Venom and Predators were clearly two teams headed in opposite directions. The Wasilla team that took the field Saturday was a rag-tag collection of players from other leagues, thrown together after the Arctic Predators ran into financial difficulties and the players with which they opened the season abandoned ship.
“I just wish we could have had a little more time to prepare,” said Predators coach Adrian Johnson, who started the season as a Yakima Valley assistant. “We were able to move the ball, but our timing just wasn’t there.”
The Venom were able to take advantage on both sides of the ball. Offensively they scored on every possession, and defensively they intercepted two passes, forced three fumbles and sacked Arctic Predators quarterback Erick Simonson eight times, including once for a safety.
“We were firing on all cylinders,” Venom coach Brian Smith said. “Right now we’re right where we wanted to be at this point in the season.”
Isaiah Wily led the defensive effort with a pair of sacks, six tackles and a fumble recovery.
“We hustled to the ball, just like we did against Wyoming, San Jose and Yakima,” he said. “We play the same way no matter what the competition is.”
The Venom got on the board less than a minute into the game on a 3-yard run by Travis Rhone after Wasilla fumbled on its first play from scrimmage.
Wenatchee led 15-0 after the first quarter and 36-0 at halftime.
The Arctic Predators fumbled on their first two possessions of the second half, including once inside the Wenatchee 5 with less than three minutes left in the third quarter.
Neal Sharma came on in relief of starting quarterback Devin Hollins on the Venom’s next series, and he had just as much success guiding the offense the rest of the way. Hollins threw for 174 yards and four touchdowns on 15-of-18 passing, and Sharma was 6-for-7 for 80 yards and three scores.
“It’s kind of sad to be done,” Hollins said. “I met a lot of great guys here and it’s a great community. We finished up strong, and hopefully next season we’ll get the respect that we deserve.”
Four different players scored two touchdowns each for the Venom. Phil Goodman led the receiving corps with 10 catches for 113 yards, and he Tim Simmons and Maurice Bryant each caught a pair of scoring passes, while Travis Rhone had one touchdown receiving and one rushing.