Staten Island, NY. The NY Predators played host to the Venom on Saturday night edging out

the visiting team 26 - 6. The Venom struck first 30 yard pass to take a 6 - 0 lead. The Preds

came right back on the ensuing kickoff with first a 60 yard return by RB/KR man Tim Kelson

and then a 5 yard score from RB Chi Chi Mansaray. The Preds then took 8 - 6 lead thanks to

a 2 point extra point pass from QB Morris Smith to WR Kareen Moon. The Preds scored again

in the 2nd quarter on 25 yard TD pass from Smith to WR Matt Mack to make the score 14 - 6.

During the third quarter the Preds had another chance to score having a 1st and goal but

a bad snap and a few untimely penalties dashed any hope of extending their lead. During

the rest of the 3rd quarter the predator defense kept up the pressure and limited the Venom

run game. At the start of the 4th quarter after another great defensive stand the Venom were

forced to punt from their 10 yard line and Kareen Moon returned the punt 40 yards for the

score putting the Preds up 20 - 6. The Preds final score came on their next drive when QB

Kasey Nunez brought the Preds down to the goal line where Damain McCaig plowed his

way in for the final score.

The defense left off where it started last season and although the Venom managed to

score early on it was clear from the beginning that the Venom would need to rely on their

passing game. DT's Anthony Polizzi, Phil Castellani, Joe Guiliano and DE's Constance

Richardson, Ryan McGorvern all registered sacks and several stops for big losses.

LB's Damaian, McCaig, Derek Harris, Matt DiMartino all helped in keeping stopping the

run and pass game. While the offensive side of the ball is still a ways away from where

it should be they were a surprisingly a cohesive unit. "We played a tough hard nosed

squad today and made great plays and some poor plays but overall we well enough to

get the W and that’s what we will build on” stated the Predator Heach Coach Matt Aeillo