FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: The Abilene Ruff Riders are pleased to announce the signing of WR/DB Joe Page and OL/DL Gabriel Babin. Page comes to the Ruff Riders after playing for the University of Arizona for two seasons. Before his time at U of A, Joe was a star safety at Pima Community College in Arizona. In his freshman year at Pima, he was the 2^nd leading tackler on the team despite only playing 7 games. Paige is known for the speed he bring to the game having being clock at numerous combines around a 4.4 40 yard dash.

Babin comes to the Ruff Riders from the state of California. He played his college football at Palomar College in San Marcos. At 6’5 and 355 lbs, Babin is a massive man and he will be one of the largest players in the SIFL. He will help the Ruff Riders on the offensive line as well as the interior defensive line. Coach Shaun King had this to say about the addition of Page and Babin, “These are two great players that we are adding to our roster. Abilene is known as a great place to play football and that is why players like Joe and Gabriel are willing to travel from other parts of the country to come here and play. I can’t wait for them to get here, because I know they are going to make a positive impact on and off the field when they do.”

Dance Team Tryout

January 4, 2011 at 7pm Location 800 Ave E in Hawley, Texas. Each participant will have 30minutes to learn a routine that will then be performed in front of a panel of judges. Call 677-7277 or Email mss5678dance@aol.com for more information. $15 tryout fee cash or check accepted.

The Abilene Ruff Riders are pleased to announce the signing of WR/DB Joe Hinton and WR/DB Rickie Simmons. Hinton comes to the Ruff Riders after previously playing for Ruff Riders Head Coach Shon King with the Quad City Steamwheelers in the Arena Football League 2. Hinton is known to be one of the fastest players in all of football as evidenced by his 4.27 40 yard dash time at the NFL Elite Combine. Before his days in indoor football, Hinton was a star WR/DB at Pearl River Community College in Mississippi despite only playing one year of high school football.

Simmons comes to the Ruff Riders from Bradenton, Florida, where he played his high school football at national powerhouse Bradenton Manatee, which is also the home of former Nebraska great Tommie Frazier. Simmons started his college career at Butte College. During his two years at Butte, he was considered to be one of the best players on the team and for his outstanding play during his sophomore year he was named the Receiver of the Year at Butte. Simmons finished his college career at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. With Simmons help, IUP was able to advance to the NCAA Division II Playoffs during both of the seasons that he played there. Simmons only has one year of indoor experience with the DC Armor of the AIFA so far, but during that year he was the leading receiver on the team with 45 catches for 935 yards and 13 touchdowns. When asked for comment, Coach King had this to say about the addition of Hinton and Simmons "Joe Hinton and Rickie Simmons are two great athletes. There is a saying in football that "speed kills" and these players definitely have the speed and athleticism to be devastating on a football field. We are privileged to get these two great athletes to come to Abilene and they are going to add to the fun, fast, and explosive brand of football that we are going to play this year."

RUFF RIDERS SIGN BLALOCK

Posted on Thursday, 16 December 2010 17:30 by Sonny Wood

The Abilene Ruff Riders are pleased to announce the signing of Jamaine “Coco” Blalock. Coco comes to the Ruff Riders after playing for the Arkansas Diamonds last year in the IFL. Coco is considered to be one of the most exciting players in all of indoor football. He is known for being a threat to take it to the end zone any time he touches the ball. Last year, while playing for the Diamonds, he lead the team in all purpose yards despite only playing in nine games. He also returned two kickoffs for touchdowns which was 3rd most in the IFL. Before his time with the Diamonds, Coco was a star wide receiver in the Arena Football league. He played for the Milwaukee Mustangs, Columbus Destroyers, and Las Vegas Gladiators during his six years in the AFL. Coco’s best season in the AFL was in 2005, when he had 73 receptions for 853 yards as well as 13 touchdowns for the Las Vegas Gladiators. When asked for comment, Brett Quigley, the general manager for the Abilene Ruff Riders, had this to say, “We are truly excited to have a player like Jamaine Blalock come to Abilene. Jamaine has dominated at every level he has played and we feel he will continue to do so in the SIFL. Jamaine is one of the most exciting players in indoor football and he is like the indoor version of the NFL’s Desean Jackson or Devin Hester. Our fans are going to be amazed at the things that he can do on a football field.”

The Abilene Ruff Riders 2011 season kicks off on March 12. Season Tickets are as low as $35 per seat for the entire season. For season tickets or to become a valued partner in a soon to become championship winning SIFL franchise call (325) 677-7277.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: The Abilene Ruff Riders are pleased to announce the signing of Jamaine “Coco” Blalock. Coco comes to the Ruff Riders after playing for the Arkansas Diamonds last year in the IFL. Coco is considered to be one of the most exciting players in all of indoor football. He is known for being a threat to take it to the end zone any time he touches the ball. Last year, while playing for the Diamonds, he lead the team in all purpose yards despite only playing in nine games. He also returned two kickoffs for touchdowns which was 3^rd most in the IFL. Before his time with the Diamonds, Coco was a star wide receiver in the Arena Football league. He played for the Milwaukee Mustangs, Columbus Destroyers, and Las Vegas Gladiators during his six years in the AFL. Coco’s best season in the AFL was in 2005, when he had 73 receptions for 853 yards as well as 13 touchdowns for the Las Vegas Gladiators. When asked for comment, Brett Quigley, the general manager for the Abilene Ruff Riders, had this to say, “We are truly excited to have a player like Jamaine Blalock come to Abilene. Jamaine has dominated at every level he has played and we feel he will continue to do so in the SIFL. Jamaine is one of the most exciting players in indoor football and he is like the indoor version of the NFL’s Desean Jackson or Devin Hester. Our fans are going to be amazed at the things that he can do on a football field.”

The Abilene Ruff Riders 2011 season kicks off on March 12. Season Tickets are as low as $35 per seat for the entire season. For season tickets or to become a valued partner in a soon to become championship winning SIFL franchise call (325) 677-7277.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: The Abilene Ruff Riders are pleased to announce the hiring of their new head coach, Shon King. Coach King comes to the Ruff Riders after being the head coach/ offensive coordinator of the Quad City Steamwheelers in 2009. The Quad City Steamwheelers played in the AFL 2 league. While with the Steamwheelers, Coach King molded his offense into one of the best in the AFL 2. In 2008, Quad City had the #2 offense under Coach King’s guidance and he followed that impressive year up with the #4 rated offense in 2009. Prior to his coaching career, Coach King enjoyed had an illustrious playing career for Quad City in which he was nicknamed “Mr. Saturday Night”. He is the only player in Quad City history to have his number retired by the organization. Scott Anderson spokesman for BCPSA, the ownership group for the Abilene Ruff Riders, had this to say about the hiring of Coach King, “Our search for a new coach began with approximately 20 candidates, after going through our evaluation process; Coach King became the obvious choice. The ownership group feels that his offensive scheme, connections that will allow him to recruit great players and his community focus will place the Ruff Riders in the best possible position to win a championship for Abilene. We want to thank all of the candidates who applied and the Abilene community for their support and direct involvement during this process. It was the input from our sponsors, season ticket holders, and staff that helped us, as owners, to make what we feel is the right decision for Abilene. The 2011 season is quickly approaching and we wait with great anticipation, to see this decision payoff on and off the field.”

The Abilene Ruff Riders 2011 season kicks off on March 12. Season Tickets are as low as $35 per seat for the entire season. For season tickets or to become a valued partner in a soon to become championship winning SIFL franchise call (325) 677-7277.

The Abilene Ruff Riders will play in a new league early next spring, and have a new coach on the sidelines.

On Wednesday, the local arena league football team announced Shon King as its third coach. He succeeds Rodney Blackshear, who served as interim coach for the final seven games of the 2010 season. Blackshear was named head coach during the summer but resigned to take the same job for the Amarillo Venom of the Indoor Football League.

Blackshear took over for Gerald Dockery, who was fired after the team started 0-5. Dockery had guided the team its first two seasons.

The Riders played in the IFL last season, finishing 2-12, but will compete in the Southern Indoor Football League the coming season.

King was the head coach of the Quad Cities Steamwheelers, a charter member of the af2 based in Moline, Ill., that ended operation when the league folded before the 2010 season. King said he then coached at Norfolk (Neb.) Senior High School, where he had coached from 2003-2004.

“I still had the itch for the indoor game,” he said by phone to explain how he became one of 20 applicants for the Riders job. “I want to help this team build a winning tradition.”

Quad Cities had the No. 2 offense in af2 in 2008 and was No. 4 in 2009. King played for the team the 2000 season, when Quad Cities went 19-0 and won the inaugural af2 championship. He was chosen Arena Cup MVP, and the 2005 Wayne State graduate and standout receiver was selected rookie of the year.

He also played for New York Dragons, Tulsa Talons during that team’s 2003 title season, Philadelphia Soul and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers.

In 2009, he was voted the No. 3 all-time receiver/kick returner in af2.

King said he will recruit players to power an offensive-minded team.

“But in the indoor game, you take what they give you and try not to make a whole bunch of mistakes,” he said. “We will try to light up the scoreboard.”

He said he would rely on his af2 contacts to bring players to Abilene and has a core group of players who could join him in Abilene. Also, he will look at players who were on the Riders roster last season and would be interested in returning to the team under new leadership.

“We want to look at local hometown talent, get the best guys,” he said. “I want players who are hungry and are passionate and have good character.”

King said he’d want to get a start on the 2011 season 2-3 weeks before the first game. Repetition and “knowing the game” will be more important, he said, than long workouts.

While he will search for an experienced arena-style quarterback, King said it’s important to fill each position with skilled players who can play several positions.

“I’m from California and I know Texas is a hotbed for talent, and we definitely wanted to get down there and get some of that Texas talent,” he said. “I’m looking forward to it.”

The Riders have made the postseason once, finishing 8-6 in 2009 but losing in the first round of the IFL playoffs.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: The Abilene Ruff Riders held their first tryout for the upcoming 2011 season this past Saturday at Abilene Christian High School. The Ruff Riders have joined the Southern Indoor Football League and they used the tryout as the first phase of trying to revamp their roster to compete for a championship in the SIFL. Coach Blackshear had this to say about the tryout “It was a great start for the 2011 season.

We are immersing ourselves in the new rules of the SIFL and I think we got a great start on some of the new players that are going to help us bring a championship to Abilene.” The Ruff Riders will also be holding another tryout in Abilene sometime in early March. They will announce the future tryout on their website.

The Abilene Ruff Riders will play the 2011 s

eason in the Southern Indoor Football League. The

2011 season will being sometime in late March. Season tickets are currently available, for more information please call (325) 677-7277.

RUFF RIDERS PRESS RELEASE

Contact: Dawn Fleishans, Office Manager

Phone: 325.677.7277

Email: dawn@abileneruffriders.com

The Abilene Ruff Riders will be holding open player tryouts on Saturday, September 11, 2010 at Abilene Christian School located at 2550 N. Judge Ely Blvd. Abilene, TX 79601. Registration for the tryouts will begin at 8:00 a.m. with the tryouts officially starting at 9:00 a.m. All participants will be required to sign a waiver, complete a registration form and pay the $40.00 registration cash or money order fee. Abilene is a grass field and Dallas/Ft. Worth is Astroturf.

Dallas/Ft. Worth Area:

Second Tryout date is October 16, 2010 at Velocity Sports Performance 1800 East Hwy 114 Southlake, TX

Registration begins at Noon with tryouts officially starting at 1:00 pm. All participants will be required to sign a waiver, complete a registration form and pay the $40.00 registration cash or money order fee.

Coach Blackshear is guaranteeing to sign at least one player at each tryout.

Those that are participating must dress in proper workout attire and have appropriate footwear. Every player will be required to participate in offensive and defensive drills. Each participant will compete at one of the following positions: quarterback, wide receiver , defensive back, offensive linemen, defensive linemen, fullback or linebacker. The format of the tryouts will be a pro-style combine and pads will not be worn. Selected players will be invited to stay for additional position drills.

The tryout session is expected to last up to three hours depending on the number of participants and each player will be tested in drills related to the indoor football game, including the 40-yard dash and 20-yard short shuttle. For more information regarding the tryouts please contact Abilene Ruff Riders Head Coach, Rodney Blackshear, at or the Abilene Ruff Riders Front Office at (325) 677 - PASS (7277).

ABILENE RIDING HIGH

LAKE CHARLES, LA – The Abilene Ruff Riders held a press conference today at the Abilene Regional Airport to announce their new affiliation with the Southern Indoor Football League.

After much deliberation, the Ruff Riders chose to join the SIFL for the upcoming 2011 season. “We share the same vision as the SIFL and look forward to entertaining fans for years to come”, said owner Scott Anderson. It’s all about offering affordable family entertainment to our fans. We like the SIFL’s modest business model and believe the best is yet to come, Anderson said.

General Manager Brett Quigley stated, “I believe our fans will enjoy this style of play even more as it’s closer to the actual arena game - fast paced and high scoring. One of my focuses this season will be to help develop rivalries with teams close to home”.

Season Tickets are now on sale starting at just $126 and can be purchased by calling 325-677-PASS (7277) or through the team’s website at www.abileneruffriders.com.

Southern Indoor Football League

900 Lakeshore Drive, Suite C

Lake Charles, LA 70601

866-898-7435

www.southernifl.com

CORPUS CHRISTI — Close again but still short again.

The Abilene Ruff Riders lost their fifth game by three or fewer points Sunday, as the Corpus Christi Hammerheads overcame a sluggish start and then held on to defeat the Riders 49-46 at American Bank Center.

Redford Borel led the Hammerheads with 49-yards rushing and three touchdowns while Wes Cooper completed a workmanlike 8-of-12 passes for 52 yards and another score for Corpus Christi.

The victory improved the Hammerheads’ chances to gain a playoff spot. Corpus is 6-6 and plays at home next week against 8-4 San Angelo. The Stampede-Express already has nailed down an Indoor Football League playoff berth.

Abilene fell to 2-11 and 0-6 in road games this year. Eight of the Riders losses have been 11 or fewer points, including a pair of three-point losses to the West Texas Roughnecks, which is host to Abilene on Saturday.

While the Riders have made a bad habit of giving up leads, they scored two touchdowns after falling behind 49-33 with just over five minutes to play. Robert Kent, who was 12-of-36 for 101 yards, passed 3 yards to Fred Howze for one score and went back to Howze for nine yards, with Omar Moreno taking on the extra point.

The Hammerheads were able to protect their 49-46 lead for the win.

Abilene got on the board first when the Riders’ Nate Jackson recovered a fumble in the Corpus end zone on the Hammerheads’ first snap from scrimmage.

On its next possession, Corpus Christi again coughed up the ball on its first snap but the Riders were unable to cash in and build on its lead.

Later in the first quarter, after stopping the Hammerheads, Abilene started from its 2 yard line and drove downfield, with Kent scoring on the final play of the quarter for a 13-0 lead after Moreno’s kick.

Abilene’s seasonlong scoreless quarter woes continued. The Riders failed to put points on the board in the second quarter while two fumbles set up CC scores. Redford Borel ran for a score and then recovered a fumble that set up Wesley Cooper’s 3-yard touchdown pass to Julius Eppinger. Stephen Moreno’s kick after the second TD tied the game 13-13 at halftime.

Corpus scored the first two touchdowns of the third quarter — both set up by Abilene turnovers — on touchdown runs to open a 27-13 lead but Abilene came back.

Ivory McCann ran back the kickoff 45 yards to end Corpus Christi’s 27-point run but the Hammerheads answered with Cooper’s 1-yard run at the end of the third quarter.

Abilene outscored Corpus Christi 26-15 in the fourth quarter but the Hammerheads always held at least a one-score lead.

In the fourth, Abilene again narrowed the gap, this time on a 16-yard scoring strike from Kent to former Hardin-Simmons baseball player LeJuan Edwards, making the score 34-27 with 10:13 left in the game.

Jason Lee gave Corpus Christi good field position, returning the ensuing kick to midfield. Two plays later, Borel scored from 12 yards out and Fillmore carried the ball in on the two-point conversion giving Corpus Christi a 42-27 margin.

Abilene answered with a 4-yard run by Kent but Corpus Christi responded with Eppinger’s 27-yard run out with 5:48 left in the game to make the score 49-33.

The Hammerheads hung on to win their fifth straight game at home.

Abilene had 186 total yards to 151 for Corpus Christi. Trae Ivory rushed for 54 yards and Kent 38 for the Riders, who had 102 rushing yards.

The Riders were hurt by five turnovers and 90 penalty yards.

This wasn’t the last impression Abilene Ruff Riders coach Rodney Blackshear wanted to leave on the home folks — a 56-22 shellacking at the hands of the Amarillo Venom on Saturday in the Riders’ home finale at Taylor County Coliseum.

Never mind that the Riders were without receivers Ivory McCann and Robert Gill. McCann couldn’t play after being ejected from a game the week before, and Gill was at a United Football League tryout.

Still, Blackshear couldn’t fathom such a lopsided loss.

“We didn’t practice like we wanted to win this week,” he said. “I can’t blame it on guys not being here. The bottom line is this guys are professional athletes under contract who need to find the way to make plays.”

The Venom (10-1), who already had nailed down the Lone Star West Division title, went into the game averaging 51.6 points per game — fourth-best in the Indoor Football League — and continued the hot hand on offense. But the defense was superb, forcing two fumbles and amassing seven sacks.

Still, Amarillo coach Josh Lyles saw room for improvement with three regular-season games remaining before the playoffs.

“I was happy with how we played in all three aspects of the game,” he said. “But there is room for improvement. We definitely have our holes. You can’t see it based on the score, but we definitely have things to fix.”

The Riders (2-10), meanwhile, must salvage the season with two road games, beginning Saturday in Corpus Christi.

“Protection was a problem,” Blackshear said of the seven sacks. “That hasn’t been a problem all year. The receivers didn’t make certain plays they have to make. As a coach, I have to put the best team on the field that I can find. When called on to make the plays, they have to make the plays. That didn’t happen tonight.”

Not often enough.

The Riders took the opening kickoff and drove 47 yards on 11 plays. Quarterback Robert Kent capped the drive with a two-yard touchdown run. However, the PAT attempt by Oscar Moreno was blocked, and Tarleton State graduate Ray Gates caught the ball at the goal line and returned it 50 yards for a two-point score.

The Venom needed only four plays to get in the end zone on their first possession. Alex Watson scored from two yards out.

It was all Amarillo from there on out. Julian Reese threw for a pair of touchdown and ran for two more. He completed 7-of-15 passes for 105 yards on the night — five of those passes, including a 19-yard touchdown, were to Ricardo Lenhart for 91 yards. Don’Trell Moore also ran for touchdowns of 10, 38 and 1 yards. He finished with 93 yards on mome carries.

The Riders, down 43-9 going into the fourth quarter, got touchdown passes of 5 and 28 yards from Fred Howze in the final quarter. Both were from Kent, who completed 22-of-38 passes for a season-best 196 yards.

Cory White had 10 catches for 75 yards, and Howze had nine for 76 yards.

The Venom outscored Abilene 58-50 in the first game between the team in Amarillo.

Amarillo 56, Abilene 22

Amarillo 9 13 21 14—56

Abilene 6 3 0 13—22

1st Quarter

ABI — Robert Kent 2 run (kick blocked), 7:37

AMA — Ray Gates 50 blocked PAT return, 7:12

AMA — Alex Watson 2 run (Darren McCaleb kick), 4:19

2nd Quarter

AM — Watson 3 pass from Julian Reese (kick failed), 6:13

AMA — Reese 2 run (McCaleb kick), :49

ABI — Omar Moreno 34 FG, :00

3rd Quarter

AMA — Don’Trell Moore 10 run (McCaleb kick), 14:05

AMA — Reese 1 run (McCaleb kick), 9:37

AMA — Ricardo Lenhart 19 pass from Reese (McCaleb kick), 3:48

4th Quarter

ABI — Fred Howze 5 pass from Kent (Moreno kick), 14:42

AMA — Moore 38 run (McCaleb kick), 14:00

AMA — Moore 1 run (kick failed), 11:01

ABI — Howze 28 pass from Kent (kick failed), 1:26

MIDLAND, TX. : Nine games have passed since the Roughnecks & Ruff Riders faced each other back in week one of the regular season. Things have certainly changed for both organizations since their first meeting as the Roughnecks stand at 3-7 sitting a half-game back of the final playoff spot in the Intense Conference. Following an 0-5 start, the Ruff Riders made a change at the Head Coaching position by releasing Gerald Dockery and bringing in Rodney Blackshear. Blackshear has led the Ruff Riders to a 2-3 record since taking over as Head Coach. This game marks the second of three meetings between both clubs and it is the final road game of the 2010 regular season for the Roughnecks.

The Roughnecks are coming off a 41-29 loss to the Arkansas Diamonds back on May 15. The Roughnecks came back from being down 24-6 to the Diamonds to make a 27-23 ball game. The Roughnecks had a chance to complete the come-from-behind win but the offense was unable to convert a fourth down and three situation in the fourth quarter, which eventually sealed the win for the Diamonds. The Roughnecks have three of their final four games of the regular season at home and each game is becoming a make or break situation. The Roughnecks will look to use the passing attack against the Ruff Riders defense and attempt to utilize the rushing game inside the red-zone. QB Tommy Jones has thrown for nearly 1,700 yards this season and he has done so by spreading the ball around to his targets in Ryan Bugg, Steve Bergeski and Josh Floyd. Floyd has posted 17 receptions for 244 yards and four touchdowns in his last three games. The Roughnecks will additionally have center Dustin Washburn back on the offensive line to help the offensive unit.

The Ruff Riders are coming off a 47-20 win over the Austin Turfcats back on May 15. The Ruff Riders defense was able to produce four turnovers as the offensive unit posted 263 total yards with 51 yards coming on the ground from RB Carlos Alsup. The Ruff Riders have had several changes at the quarterback position over the course of the season, recently, Robert Kent has been productive from the position and look for him to use short-yardage passing schemes against the Roughnecks defense on Saturday.

Abilene will be looking to avenge a 36-33 loss to the Roughnecks in their previous meeting back on March 6. In that game, Roughnecks LB Johnny Anderson blocked a late Abilene field goal attempt as Eric Henri recovered the loose ball in the end-zone for the go-ahead score. Tommy Jones was intercepted four times in that game and the Roughnecks had issues with the snap transitions. The Ruff Riders will look to blitz and pressure Jones throughout the course of the ball game and DB Darvin Peterson will be a factor in the secondary against the strong Roughnecks passing attack.

The Roughnecks defense has been playing solid and the defensive line has been the key with Jermaine Blakely & James Vess up front. The defensive line will be the key to containing the Ruff Riders running game. Look for the Roughnecks to switch Eric Henri around at linebacker as the Roughnecks added former Georgia rover back Antonio Sims this week to bring depth to the secondary. This game could be decided based upon the turnover battle and the efficiency of the Roughnecks passing game, but the play of both defensive units will set the tone of this rivalry match-up.

Game Time / Location: 7:00 p.m. Kickoff - Taylor County Expo Center in Abilene, TX

Broadcast: 95.1 BOB FM (6:40 start)

Online: BOB FM - www.boblivesintexas.com / B2 Networks - www.b2livetv.com

Next Week: West Texas Roughnecks vs. Corpus Christi Hammerheads (Saturday, May 29, 2010) - Ector County Coliseum, Odessa, TX

Abilene Ruff Riders vs. Amarillo Venom (Saturday, May 29, 2010) - Taylor County Expo Center, Abilene, TX

Ruff Riders 37, Stampede Express 46

Abilene 13 12 6 7 37

Stampede 7 13 10 16 46

1st Quarter

ABI — Cory White 42 pass from Robert Kent (Derek Hughes kick), 10:45

ABI — Trae Ivory 3 run (kick failed), 3:12

SAN — Mike Malone 3 run (Tommy Staples kick), 0:25

2nd Quarter

ABI — Kent 4 run (pass failed), 10:54

DAN — Chris McKinney 3 pass from Dustin Almond (Staples kick), 6:36

ABI — Kent 2 yard run (kick blocked), 0:39

SAN — Derrick Ross 4 run (kick failed), 0:21

3rd Quarter

ABI — Ivory 12 run (pass failed), 15:52

SAN — Staples 34 FG, 8:43

SAN — Ross 13 run (Staples kick), 1:17

4Q

ABI — Fred Howze 7 pass from Kent (pass failed), 12:39

SAN — Malone 3 yard pass from Almond (Staples kick), 7:32

SAN — Safety, 7:26

SAN — Jeremiah Turner 12 fumble return (Staples kick), 0:59

Abilene San Angelo

First Downs 11 11

Rushes-Yards 19-54 23-104

Passing 75 153

Comp-Att-Int 12-26-1 11-26-0

Fumbles-Lost 1-1 4-3

Penalties-Yards 11-57 17-122

Riders give unbeaten Venom a run before losing, 58-50

AMARILLO — The Amarillo Venom stayed upbeaten but it wasn’t easy as the Abilene Ruff Riders hit 50 points for only the second time in 23 games in a 58-50 loss Saturday night at Cal Farley Coliseum.

The Ruff Riders lost their fourth road game of the season to slip to 1-7 overall. Amarillo is 7-0 and leads the Lone Star West Division.

In his second start, Robert Kent threw for 165 yards and five touchdowns against three interceptions. He went 4 yards to Fred Howze with 29 seconds to play for a score, then for two points to make it an eight-point game.

The Riders were unable to score again to miss the upset.

It was a game of alternating quarters of offense as the teams combined for 44 points in both the second and fourth periods but totaled 20 points the other two quarters.

Veteran Amarillo quarterback Julian Reese was 13-of-23 for 122 yards. He threw just one touchdown pass — that on his team’s first possession — but ran four times for scores.

A key blow to the Ruff Riders came when the Venom scored with six seconds left in the first half on a 1-yard keeper by Reese to erase a 27-24 Abilene lead.

Amarillo then scored the only TD of the third quarter to go up 37-27 to leave Abilene scrambling from behind in the final period.

A 48-yard kickoff return by former West Texas A&M standout Cashmin Thomas boosted Amarillo in furious fourth quarter finish that saw four TDs scored in final 1:23.

Down 51-34, Abilene got a 45-yard TD strike from Kent to Howze and two-point conversion to get back in the game with 1:12 to go. But Reese’s final rushing touchdown gave his team an insurmountable 16-point lead.

Abilene outgained Amarillo 252-189 in total yards and rushed for a season-best 98 yards, with Trae Ivory getting 63 on seven carries and a score.

Robert Gill had five catches for 56 yards and TD while Cory White had four catches, three going for scores.

Venom 58, Ruff Riders 50

Abilene 7 20 0 23—50

Amarillo 7 24 6 21—58

1st quarter

AM — Anthony Clark 5 pass from Julian Reese (Darren McCaleb kick), 11:02

ABI — Cory White 26 pass from Robert Kent (Nich Pertuit kick), 1:12

2nd quarter

AM — McCaleb 24 FG, 12:40

ABI — Trae Ivory 40 run (kick failed), 11:45

AM — Reese 3 run (McCaleb kick), 8:43

ABI — Robert Gill 22 pass from Kent (Pertuit kick), 8:20

AM — Alex Watson 1 run (McCaleb kick), 4:16

ABI — White 39 pass from Kent (Pertuit kick), 0:24

AM — Reese 1 run (McCaleb kick), 0:06

3rd quarter

AM — Reese 7 run (kick failed), 4:59

4th quarter

ABI — Gill 3 run (Nich Pertuit kick) 9:14

AM — Cashmin Thomas 48 kickoff return (McCaleb kick), 8:31

AM — Ron Edwards 48 run (McCaleb kick), 1:23

ABI — White 45 pass from Kent (Fred Howze pass from Kent), 1:12

AM — Reese 7 run (McCaleb kick), 1:08

ABI — Howze 4 pass from Kent (Howze pass from Kent), 0:29

A — 2,826

Abilene Amarillo

First downs 14 17

Rushes-yards 16-98 25-75

Passing 154 114

Total yards 252 189

Comp-Att-Int 13-29-3 13-23-1

Fumbles-Lost 0-0 0-0

Penalties-Yards 7-64 6-51

Sacks-Yard lost 2-8 4-11