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Seaway Valley Venom semi-pro football team seeks players for next season

Posted 10/28/15

MASSENA -- The semi-pro football franchise Seaway Valley Venom are trying to recruit players and a team for the 2016 season. The team, now owned by Joe McDonald of Akwesasne, seeks players age 18 or …

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Seaway Valley Venom semi-pro football team seeks players for next season

Posted

MASSENA -- The semi-pro football franchise Seaway Valley Venom are trying to recruit players and a team for the 2016 season.

The team, now owned by Joe McDonald of Akwesasne, seeks players age 18 or older who are out of high school.

“This team is putting a huge focus on local athletes,” team President Elijah Winfrey said. “We know that not everybody who plays high school football here in the North Country will go on to play college ball. For those people, we want our team to be their home.”

The contingent is affiliated with the North Eastern Football Alliance.

In addition to players, the squadron needs to raise at least $35,000 to start their next season. Winfrey said he would like to see them have $80,000 in their coffers for 2016.

“We know that it may seem like a lofty goal but in order to give our players the very best this is what we feel we have to do,” Winfrey said. “We want this franchise to last longer than any of the previous franchises that have been up here.”

The team will hold a fundraiser and player drive in Akwesasne at the Brass Horse on Nov. 20.

They will host a standard eight ball pool tournament from 5 p.m. to midnight. Entry fee is $25, to be paid at the event. There will also be raffles and door prizes.

“All money raised that night for the Venom will go towards funding their 2016 season and beyond,” Winfrey said. “We are hoping to make this an annual event.”

Anyone who fits their age guideline can learn more about or sign up for the team at the tournament. Those who are 18 but not out of high school can still sign up. They will not be allowed to wear pads or participate in full-contact practice until they graduate.

The team has seven players signed up so far.

They include:

• Devon Euto, quarterback/cornerback, St. Lawrence Central. He threw for over 700 yards during his career as a Larrie. In his 2012 senior year, season Euto threw for over 400 yards and had six touchdowns.

• Caleb Gomes, wide receiver/cornerback, St. Lawrence Central. Gomes was one of what Winfrey calls “the bright spots for the Larries in 2014.” He recorded over 30 tackles for while also contributing to the receiving game. Winfrey says Gomes will mainly focus on receiving.

• Cody Smith, linebacker/fullback, Franklin Academy. Smith last played for the Huskies in 2013. In his senior season, he ran for 250 yards and two touchdowns while also being what Winfrey calls “a solid contributor on the defense side.”

• Jake Pitcher, wide receiver/quarterback, Canton Central. Pitcher played quarterback for the Golden Bears in 2010. As a senior, he completed 17 out of 29 passes for 308 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Pitcher will start at either wide receiver or quarterback for the Venom.

• Joel Castro, running back, Brasher Falls. Last season, Castro led the Venom in rushing with 88 yards and a 3.3-yard average per attempt. He also contributed to the passing game, completing five of eight passes for 62 yards. On special teams, he added 40 yards returning kicks. In receiving, he added 21 yards. He will focusing just on playing running back this season, Winfrey said.

• Demetri Lafrance, defensive end, Massena. Last season, Lafrance also played punter. He had five punts for 140 total yards. This season, Lafrance “is looking to become more of a threat on the defensive line,” Winfrey said.

• Randy Peters, defensive end/ tight end, Akwesasne. Peters practiced with the Venom last season but never saw action in a game. At 6’8” and 270lbs., Peters “has shown impressive speed and understanding of the game during his practices with the Venom,” Winfrey said. “With the right coaching the Venom believe he could become a dominate force on the defensive line.”

The Venom’s website is http://www.seawayvalleyvenom.wordpress.com, their Youtube channel is http://bit.ly/1GxrqG9 and their Facebook is www.Facebook.com/SeawayValleyVenom .

Team owner Joe McDonald can be reached by phone at 518-319-7312.