Franchise ResourcesBack on track
Milwaukee, WI – The Milwaukee Venom have been up and down this season so far, yet this week would end on a high note for them. The Fond Du Lac Crusaders were first to bring the ball out and quickly found that the underrated Black Cloud Venom defense, has been just that, underrated. After three plays from scrimmage, Fond du Lac punted the ball in what would be the first of eight, three and out situations forced by the Venom defense. After receiving the punt, Milwaukee walked down field, eating a lot of clock and capped off the drive with a touchdown by HB #32 Desmon Melton. Then a three and out situation would affect both teams. Fond Du Lac ended up with the ball on the Venom 40 yard line.
Wanting to get into scoring range, the Crusaders took to the air on fourth and eight when OLB #29 Corey Smith cut off the slant route from the slot receiver, intercepted the ball at his knees, broke a would be tackle, and sprinted into the end zone, high stepping through another would be tackler for the score; a 68 yard interception return! Getting the ball back in their hands, the Crusaders gained some yards, but ultimately would go three and out again.
On the punt, PR #17 Kevin Willingham shaked and baked his way all the way into the end zone for the touchdown; an 89 yard punt return! The Crusaders were falling behind quickly and decided to test the Venom DB’s by going to the pass attack again. On second down, the pass went up on the skinny post, but was correctly read and cut off by CB #22 Ant Wiggins, giving Milwaukee’s offense the ball once more! The Venom offense, led by QB #19 Brent Ferdinand would find themselves in scoring position again, but ended up kicking the field goal wide left. This seemed to fuel the Crusaders as they moved the ball and picked up a first down. All was for naught however, when Ant once again read the pass route and came down with his second interception in the game!
Your score at half Milwaukee Venom 21 – Fond Du Lac Crusaders 0
Milwaukee got the ball at the start of the second half and picked up a first down when tragedy would strike them. The quarterback – halfback exchange was fumbled and the Crusaders stole one from the Venom! This only angered the stout Venom defense who stepped up and forced yet another three and out. Both teams defenses then attempted to prove who was better by forcing three and outs on both teams offenses.
After the stalemate, Milwaukee would move the ball to midfield and be forced to punt again. This brought on another three and out for Fond Du Lac’s offense. This is when Milwaukee brought in QB #9 Justin Nemitz to attempt to shake things up a bit, and shake they did! Highlighted by a huge pass to WR #15 Nick Bekeris, Milwaukee would score on a six yard run by HB #23 (wearing #3) Squeak Price! This only brought on more fire from the Venom defense as they forced yet another three and out from Fondy.
Having new spark behind center, the Venom offense was firing on all cylinders and walked downfield and scored on a big Justin run that would seal the fate of the Crusaders! Seeing their final three and out of the night, Fondy would hand the ball to Milwaukee who ran two plays and the clock out as well.
Final score Milwaukee Venom 35 – Fond Du Lac Crusaders 0
Picture courtesy of Photos By Russ.
