While Tennessee Valley's bye week may not have come at an opportune time during a five game winning streak, the Vipers expect to pick up right where they left off after a dominating performance at home against the Florida Firecats two weeks ago.
The bye week allowed for players to heal and rest for a week before beginning the last half of the regular season. Sitting at 5-3 and 6th in the playoff standings due to three-way tiebreakers, Tennessee Valley hits the road to Boomer Sooner country.
Oklahoma City and Bricktown is the destination for the Vipers in week 9. Tennessee Valley will try and bring their proverbial "A-game" to the Yard Dawgz, whose record stands at 2-6.
The Yard Dawgz are not to be taken lightly. Quarterback Evan Gray is a league veteran who has thrown for over 100 touchdowns in a season before.
But this season, the Yard Dawgz are ranking among the bottom feeders in the league in almost every single major statistic.
The Dawgz scoring defense is 27th of 29 af2 teams, giving up about 58 points a game. The scoring offense ranks just 25th scoring just 38.1 points a contest.
On the flip side, Tennessee Valley ranks 10th in both scoring offense and scoring defense.
Newly anointed quarterback Kevin Eakin has quickly become the talk of the town. Eakin is sixth in the league in pass completion percentage and has thrown 11 touchdowns to just 1 interception in just 4 games.
Travis Blanchard, who earned af2 Ironman of the Week awards in week 8 for his three touchdown, eight tackle performance against the Firecats, has rushed for 11 scores on the year and has a score on the ground in all but one game this season.
Eric Scott is just one-half sack away from leading the af2 in sacks, and is only one tackle for loss away from the league lead.
Demetrius Derico is fifth in the league with 6 picks on the season.
Tennessee Valley can not overlook anyone on their schedule for the rest of the season. Oklahoma City provides a daunting and scary task. But expect the Vipers to win this one at the Ford Center.
Vipers 54 Yard Dawgz 39
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Vipers Dominate Rival Florida
If the Tennessee Valley Vipers and Florida Firecats were not considered rivals before this game, the argument was laid to rest in the first quarter.
Maurice Brown caught a six yard touchdown pass and was forced over the wall by two Firecats defenders and Vipers players and Firecats alike swarmed to the area with pushing and shoving. The touchdown and extra point tied the game at seven with just 18 seconds remaining in the first quarter.
Nonetheless, the Vipers would win the fight that mattered, on the scoreboard, with a 50-34 victory at the Von Braun Center in front of 3,825 Vipers faithful.
Tennessee Valley improved to 5-3 and extended the team's winning streak to five games while handing Florida it's first setback as the Firecats sit at 6-1 on the season.
The Vipers took the lead on the first play of the second quarter when Eric Scott recorded his 10th sack of the season and second safety.
With the Vipers leading 9-7, quarterback Kevin Eakin drove the Vipers 40 yards before Travis Blanchard scored his first of three rushing touchdowns to put the Vipers up 16-7.
Florida answered with a Chris Wallace pass to Ethenic Sands cutting the lead to 16-14, but the Vipers answered and extended the lead back to nine with a pass from Eakin to Gary Elliott.
Wallace found James Panui inside the one minute mark to close in back to two points.
But Nick Hayes extended the lead to 26-21 as time expired with a 20-yard field goal.
The Vipers would score twice more before the Firecats would get back on the board, Blanchard had another rushing touchdown and Hayes knocked through another field goal.
Florida finally scored in the second half with 2:45 remaining when Chris McKinney hauled in a seven-yard pass from Wallace.
Blanchard rushed for his final score and Florida answered with Sands' second touchdown grab.
Lance Ancar finished the scoring with a 0ne-yard plunge. Nick Hayes added the extra point to give Vipers fans a nice treat--free cheesybread from Dominos!
Tennessee Valley will head into the bye week riding a five game winning streak and travel to Oklahoma City on May 31 to take on the Yard Dawgz.
Maurice Brown caught a six yard touchdown pass and was forced over the wall by two Firecats defenders and Vipers players and Firecats alike swarmed to the area with pushing and shoving. The touchdown and extra point tied the game at seven with just 18 seconds remaining in the first quarter.
Nonetheless, the Vipers would win the fight that mattered, on the scoreboard, with a 50-34 victory at the Von Braun Center in front of 3,825 Vipers faithful.
Tennessee Valley improved to 5-3 and extended the team's winning streak to five games while handing Florida it's first setback as the Firecats sit at 6-1 on the season.
The Vipers took the lead on the first play of the second quarter when Eric Scott recorded his 10th sack of the season and second safety.
With the Vipers leading 9-7, quarterback Kevin Eakin drove the Vipers 40 yards before Travis Blanchard scored his first of three rushing touchdowns to put the Vipers up 16-7.
Florida answered with a Chris Wallace pass to Ethenic Sands cutting the lead to 16-14, but the Vipers answered and extended the lead back to nine with a pass from Eakin to Gary Elliott.
Wallace found James Panui inside the one minute mark to close in back to two points.
But Nick Hayes extended the lead to 26-21 as time expired with a 20-yard field goal.
The Vipers would score twice more before the Firecats would get back on the board, Blanchard had another rushing touchdown and Hayes knocked through another field goal.
Florida finally scored in the second half with 2:45 remaining when Chris McKinney hauled in a seven-yard pass from Wallace.
Blanchard rushed for his final score and Florida answered with Sands' second touchdown grab.
Lance Ancar finished the scoring with a 0ne-yard plunge. Nick Hayes added the extra point to give Vipers fans a nice treat--free cheesybread from Dominos!
Tennessee Valley will head into the bye week riding a five game winning streak and travel to Oklahoma City on May 31 to take on the Yard Dawgz.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Defense key in Vipers division win
The Tennessee Valley Vipers defense was certainly keyed in for Saturday's contest with division rival South Georgia. It was good enough to bring the Vipers (4-3) back to Huntsville with a 65-51 victory over the Wildcats (4-3).
The win leaves the Vipers at second place in the divison, but still 2 1/2 games behind division leader Florida, who comes to town next week.
The first half saw touchdowns matched with touchdowns as the Vipers got on the board first with a Kevin Eakin pass to Alonso Nix. South Georgia's answer came on a fourth-and-goal fade route to Buchie Ibeh, tying the game at 7.
The Vipers came back and Travis Blanchard scored on a 6-yard run, something Blanchard has done in all but one game this season.
However, the Wildcats answered with Scott Cloman's 33-yard reception from Andrico Hines. Then forced a Vipers turnover on downs and scored again, this time Antwan Savage was on the receiving end of a touchdown toss. The Wildcats then led 21-14.
Lance Ancar recorded his first score of the season from five yards out to bring the game back to a tie.
Scott Hode kicked his first field goal putting the Cats back up 24-21, but the Vipers wasted no time before gaining the lead back at 28-24.
Hode would knock one more field goal through to end the first half, with the Vipers ahead 28-27.
The Cats took the second half kickoff eventually would take their last lead of the night on a Hines one-yard quarterback sneak at 33-28.
Eakin scrambled in from seven yards out to put the Vipers up 35-33, and then the defense stepped in.
Last week against the Albany Conquest, the Vipers defense produced a stellar second half, this week proved no different.
A forced fumble by Rico Reese led to Maurice Brown's second touchdown grab and a 42-33 lead.
Ibeh caught his second touchdown of the night, cutting the lead to 42-39 after Hode missed the extra point.
The Vipers fumbled on the next possession, but on the ensuing play, Reese blasted through the offensive line, intercepted a screen pass and returned it 26 yards for a touchdown, putting the Vipers ahead 48-39 after a missed Nick Hayes point after.
It didn't take long for the Vipers defense to put South Georgia away, two plays later team interceptions leader Demetrius Derico picked off another Hines pass and returned it six yards for the score. After Hayes nailed the extra point, the Vipers led 55-38.
Savage would answer quickly with a touchdown catch on the next play, but Brown and Eakin hooked up for the third time on the night, silencing the few remaining Wildcats fans.
P.J. Berry caught the final touchdown for the Wildcats with 2:55 remaining, and Nick Hayes capped the scoring with an 18-yard field goal, leaving the final score at 65-51.
Eakin, in his first start as a Viper, finished strong at 21-of-30 for 216 yards four passing touchdowns, one interception, and one fumble. He also rushed for a touchdown.
Maurice Brown torched the Wildcats secondary with 11 catches for 141 yards and three touchdowns.
Rico Reese, Eric Scott and RaJohn Myles all recorded one sack on the night for the Vipers defense.
Tennessee Valley returns to the Von Braun Center next week to face hated division rival Florida. The Firecats are currently 6-0 this season including a 62-47 win over the Vipers earlier in the year.
The win leaves the Vipers at second place in the divison, but still 2 1/2 games behind division leader Florida, who comes to town next week.
The first half saw touchdowns matched with touchdowns as the Vipers got on the board first with a Kevin Eakin pass to Alonso Nix. South Georgia's answer came on a fourth-and-goal fade route to Buchie Ibeh, tying the game at 7.
The Vipers came back and Travis Blanchard scored on a 6-yard run, something Blanchard has done in all but one game this season.
However, the Wildcats answered with Scott Cloman's 33-yard reception from Andrico Hines. Then forced a Vipers turnover on downs and scored again, this time Antwan Savage was on the receiving end of a touchdown toss. The Wildcats then led 21-14.
Lance Ancar recorded his first score of the season from five yards out to bring the game back to a tie.
Scott Hode kicked his first field goal putting the Cats back up 24-21, but the Vipers wasted no time before gaining the lead back at 28-24.
Hode would knock one more field goal through to end the first half, with the Vipers ahead 28-27.
The Cats took the second half kickoff eventually would take their last lead of the night on a Hines one-yard quarterback sneak at 33-28.
Eakin scrambled in from seven yards out to put the Vipers up 35-33, and then the defense stepped in.
Last week against the Albany Conquest, the Vipers defense produced a stellar second half, this week proved no different.
A forced fumble by Rico Reese led to Maurice Brown's second touchdown grab and a 42-33 lead.
Ibeh caught his second touchdown of the night, cutting the lead to 42-39 after Hode missed the extra point.
The Vipers fumbled on the next possession, but on the ensuing play, Reese blasted through the offensive line, intercepted a screen pass and returned it 26 yards for a touchdown, putting the Vipers ahead 48-39 after a missed Nick Hayes point after.
It didn't take long for the Vipers defense to put South Georgia away, two plays later team interceptions leader Demetrius Derico picked off another Hines pass and returned it six yards for the score. After Hayes nailed the extra point, the Vipers led 55-38.
Savage would answer quickly with a touchdown catch on the next play, but Brown and Eakin hooked up for the third time on the night, silencing the few remaining Wildcats fans.
P.J. Berry caught the final touchdown for the Wildcats with 2:55 remaining, and Nick Hayes capped the scoring with an 18-yard field goal, leaving the final score at 65-51.
Eakin, in his first start as a Viper, finished strong at 21-of-30 for 216 yards four passing touchdowns, one interception, and one fumble. He also rushed for a touchdown.
Maurice Brown torched the Wildcats secondary with 11 catches for 141 yards and three touchdowns.
Rico Reese, Eric Scott and RaJohn Myles all recorded one sack on the night for the Vipers defense.
Tennessee Valley returns to the Von Braun Center next week to face hated division rival Florida. The Firecats are currently 6-0 this season including a 62-47 win over the Vipers earlier in the year.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Vipers get blow out win
ALBANY, GA--The Tennessee Valley Vipers winning streak has been extended to four games with a 65-51 win over the South Georgia Wildcats.
The Tennessee Valley defense was spectacular in the game. With two interceptions returned for touchdowns and two fumble recoveries, the Vipers defense set the tone for the entire night. League sacks leader Eric Scott was held in check, but Rico Reese made up for it. Reese had one of the interception returns and a forced fumble.
The Wildcats quarterback Andrico Hines never got into a rhythm and was hurried the entire night.
Tennessee Valley led at the half 28-27, but the Wildcats scored first two take a 33-28 lead to begin the 3rd quarter. The Vipers took a 35-33 lead with a touchdown and never relinquished that lead.
The Vipers improved to 4-3 on the season and move into second place in the South division. Division leader Florida will visit the Von Braun Center next week in a huge match up with the Firecats.
A full game summary will be posted on Inside the Pit tomorrow.
The Tennessee Valley defense was spectacular in the game. With two interceptions returned for touchdowns and two fumble recoveries, the Vipers defense set the tone for the entire night. League sacks leader Eric Scott was held in check, but Rico Reese made up for it. Reese had one of the interception returns and a forced fumble.
The Wildcats quarterback Andrico Hines never got into a rhythm and was hurried the entire night.
Tennessee Valley led at the half 28-27, but the Wildcats scored first two take a 33-28 lead to begin the 3rd quarter. The Vipers took a 35-33 lead with a touchdown and never relinquished that lead.
The Vipers improved to 4-3 on the season and move into second place in the South division. Division leader Florida will visit the Von Braun Center next week in a huge match up with the Firecats.
A full game summary will be posted on Inside the Pit tomorrow.
Monday, May 5, 2008
Inside the Pit--Volume 4
Six games into the season and the Vipers sit at ".500". I honestly believe that this team should be 5-1 at best and 4-2 at worst right now. The South Georgia game may come back to haunt us come the playoffs. Speaking of South Georgia, the Vipers travel to Georgia's version on hell this weekend.
If you have never been to Albany, Georgia, consider yourself blessed. The city is a dump, except maybe the Krispy Kreme shop. It was pretty good.
Personally, I had planned to make the trip to Albany before I was scheduled to work. It looks as though I won't be going. Maybe I will if I'm forced.
With the last three wins, the Vipers have looked impressive. But nothing more impressive than last week at Albany in the unfriendly confines of the Pepsi Center in New York. Trailing 35-18 at the half, Quarterback Brent Dearmon was benched in favor of backup Kevin Eakin. Eakin finished the contest a stunning 12-of-15 with four touchdown tosses.
Maurice Brown had an exceptional night at receiver. Brown caught 10 balls for 147 yards and three touchdowns.
As great as the offense was under Eakin, it was all overshadowed by the Vipers dominating defense. Eric Scott matched his season total of five sacks in this game alone and one recorded a safety. Scott leads the af2 in sacks with 10.0 on the year. Terrance Ford added a sack and Rico Reese was credited with 0.5 sacks and a forced fumble.
It was a great comeback by the Vipers and will hopefully put them on the right track down the stretch.
This coming week will feature a great receiving corps in South Georgia's Antwan Savage, Buchie Ibeh and the electrifying P.J. Berry.
New quarterback Andrico Hines will most likely play under center. South Georgia ranks one spot ahead of Tennessee Valley in scoring offense. But Tennessee Valley ranks eight spots ahead of the Wildcats in scoring defense.
Berry is the league leader in total yards per game with over 220 yards a contest.
But Demetrius Derico ranks in the top ten in the league in interceptions with five. As mentioned earlier, Eric Scott has ten sacks, ranking number one in the league.
The key to this game will be the pressure Tennessee Valley is able to put on Hines. Hines went down last week with an injury, but will play most likely.
I expect another close, hard fought game between two evenly matched teams. South Georgia will be at home, but the Vipers have looked good on the road, going 2-1 so far.
Pit Prediction
Vipers 54 Wildcats 52
If you have never been to Albany, Georgia, consider yourself blessed. The city is a dump, except maybe the Krispy Kreme shop. It was pretty good.
Personally, I had planned to make the trip to Albany before I was scheduled to work. It looks as though I won't be going. Maybe I will if I'm forced.
With the last three wins, the Vipers have looked impressive. But nothing more impressive than last week at Albany in the unfriendly confines of the Pepsi Center in New York. Trailing 35-18 at the half, Quarterback Brent Dearmon was benched in favor of backup Kevin Eakin. Eakin finished the contest a stunning 12-of-15 with four touchdown tosses.
Maurice Brown had an exceptional night at receiver. Brown caught 10 balls for 147 yards and three touchdowns.
As great as the offense was under Eakin, it was all overshadowed by the Vipers dominating defense. Eric Scott matched his season total of five sacks in this game alone and one recorded a safety. Scott leads the af2 in sacks with 10.0 on the year. Terrance Ford added a sack and Rico Reese was credited with 0.5 sacks and a forced fumble.
It was a great comeback by the Vipers and will hopefully put them on the right track down the stretch.
This coming week will feature a great receiving corps in South Georgia's Antwan Savage, Buchie Ibeh and the electrifying P.J. Berry.
New quarterback Andrico Hines will most likely play under center. South Georgia ranks one spot ahead of Tennessee Valley in scoring offense. But Tennessee Valley ranks eight spots ahead of the Wildcats in scoring defense.
Berry is the league leader in total yards per game with over 220 yards a contest.
But Demetrius Derico ranks in the top ten in the league in interceptions with five. As mentioned earlier, Eric Scott has ten sacks, ranking number one in the league.
The key to this game will be the pressure Tennessee Valley is able to put on Hines. Hines went down last week with an injury, but will play most likely.
I expect another close, hard fought game between two evenly matched teams. South Georgia will be at home, but the Vipers have looked good on the road, going 2-1 so far.
Pit Prediction
Vipers 54 Wildcats 52
Inside the Pit--Volume 3
Apparently, Shane Adler is not the guy to lead the Green Bay Blizzard. The Blizzard traded for af2 veteran and former Tennessee Valley Viper Ryan Porter over the weekend. Porter, who played in three games for the Vipers in 2007 will most likely take over the starting job from Adler.
Adler completed just 5-of-12 passing with one touchdown and two interceptions in last week’s loss to the Spokane Shock.
Tennessee Valley will look to add a win to their column after giving up and 11-point lead to South Georgia last week and eventually losing on the final play of the game.
The Vipers defensive secondary will have a tough task this week, although not as tough as last week. “The Blizzard have some good receivers, but they aren’t as good as South Georgia,” said Vipers head coach Dean Cokinos. Quorey Payne and Steve Gonzalez are league veterans and will give the Vipers secondary everything they can handle.
Unfortunately for the Vipers, Travis Blanchard will most likely be out for this week as he injured his ankle early in the South Georgia contest. The status of Pedro Holliday is also unknown, but he will most likely be out.
Former AFL receiver Maurice Brown will step in for at least one more week to fill injured player’s spots. Last week, Brown caught 8 passes for 115 yards to lead the Vipers, including a 7-yard score in the first quarter.
One of the brightest spots for the Vipers last week was the offensive line. What had been a question mark all during training camp came out Saturday and did not give up a single sack while allowing only three hurries. Eric Scott will play a big role this week again, along with Rico Reese and Terrance Ford. Scott recorded one sack last week and Reese was robbed of one as the South Georgia quarterback fell forward to gain a yard while being tackled.
I expect the Vipers to control this game easily from the get-go. Green Bay has a new quarterback coming into the system and a lot of question marks in the trenches. Vipers fans should get excited early and often for this one.
Vipers 61 Blizzard 40
Adler completed just 5-of-12 passing with one touchdown and two interceptions in last week’s loss to the Spokane Shock.
Tennessee Valley will look to add a win to their column after giving up and 11-point lead to South Georgia last week and eventually losing on the final play of the game.
The Vipers defensive secondary will have a tough task this week, although not as tough as last week. “The Blizzard have some good receivers, but they aren’t as good as South Georgia,” said Vipers head coach Dean Cokinos. Quorey Payne and Steve Gonzalez are league veterans and will give the Vipers secondary everything they can handle.
Unfortunately for the Vipers, Travis Blanchard will most likely be out for this week as he injured his ankle early in the South Georgia contest. The status of Pedro Holliday is also unknown, but he will most likely be out.
Former AFL receiver Maurice Brown will step in for at least one more week to fill injured player’s spots. Last week, Brown caught 8 passes for 115 yards to lead the Vipers, including a 7-yard score in the first quarter.
One of the brightest spots for the Vipers last week was the offensive line. What had been a question mark all during training camp came out Saturday and did not give up a single sack while allowing only three hurries. Eric Scott will play a big role this week again, along with Rico Reese and Terrance Ford. Scott recorded one sack last week and Reese was robbed of one as the South Georgia quarterback fell forward to gain a yard while being tackled.
I expect the Vipers to control this game easily from the get-go. Green Bay has a new quarterback coming into the system and a lot of question marks in the trenches. Vipers fans should get excited early and often for this one.
Vipers 61 Blizzard 40
Inside the Pit--South Georgia
Last season was a disater for the Tennessee Valley Vipers. After finishing 7-9 due to a last second pass that fell to the turf against Louisville, allowing the Alabama Steeldogs to enter the playoffs, the Vipers felt cheated. And rightfully so, they beat the Steeldogs both times last season.
This season, Milt Theodosatos is no longer roaming the sidelines and Dean Cokinos is the head man. Cokinos has brought in talent galore from his three year stint in Nashville of the AFL. That talent will be much needed on Saturday night at the Von Braun Center as the South Georgia Wildcats come into the Viper Pit and try to get division win number one.
South Georgia won 11 games last season, including both contests against the Vipers. Derek Stingley has a group of wide receivers that any AFL team would like to have. Buchie Ibeh, Antwon Savage, PJ Berry and Anthony Bright are just a few of the names that you will hear from the end zone on Saturday nights throughout the season.
Unfortunately for Stingley, he doesn’t have a great quarterback to throw to the wide array of receivers. Cecil Lester, a perrennial back-up in the af2 for three seasons, will be the starting quarterback for the Wildcats while former Vipers signal caller Walter Washington is the back-up.
Lester threw five touchdowns in his rookie campaign for the Macon Knights against just one interception. Last season his only pass attempt was picked off. The game will hinge on how well Lester plays while Eric Scott and Rico Reese come rushing from the ends of the line. Reese and Scott combined last season for 14 sacks.
Andy Hall will make his arena football debut as well. Hall, a former sixth round draft choice of the Philadelphia Eagles and Delaware Blue Hens quarterback brings one year of practice squad experience from the AFL.
His receivers are a mix of fast and possession guys. Agim Shabaj of Michigan State is a speedster with great hands. Alongside will be Travis Blanchard and Pedro Holliday.
If the offensive line comes up big for the Vipers, expect a close low scoring affair. Vipers 54 Wildcats 41
This season, Milt Theodosatos is no longer roaming the sidelines and Dean Cokinos is the head man. Cokinos has brought in talent galore from his three year stint in Nashville of the AFL. That talent will be much needed on Saturday night at the Von Braun Center as the South Georgia Wildcats come into the Viper Pit and try to get division win number one.
South Georgia won 11 games last season, including both contests against the Vipers. Derek Stingley has a group of wide receivers that any AFL team would like to have. Buchie Ibeh, Antwon Savage, PJ Berry and Anthony Bright are just a few of the names that you will hear from the end zone on Saturday nights throughout the season.
Unfortunately for Stingley, he doesn’t have a great quarterback to throw to the wide array of receivers. Cecil Lester, a perrennial back-up in the af2 for three seasons, will be the starting quarterback for the Wildcats while former Vipers signal caller Walter Washington is the back-up.
Lester threw five touchdowns in his rookie campaign for the Macon Knights against just one interception. Last season his only pass attempt was picked off. The game will hinge on how well Lester plays while Eric Scott and Rico Reese come rushing from the ends of the line. Reese and Scott combined last season for 14 sacks.
Andy Hall will make his arena football debut as well. Hall, a former sixth round draft choice of the Philadelphia Eagles and Delaware Blue Hens quarterback brings one year of practice squad experience from the AFL.
His receivers are a mix of fast and possession guys. Agim Shabaj of Michigan State is a speedster with great hands. Alongside will be Travis Blanchard and Pedro Holliday.
If the offensive line comes up big for the Vipers, expect a close low scoring affair. Vipers 54 Wildcats 41
Inside the Pit--Volume 1
The first three posts were written for "The Arena" from now on my Vipers articles will appear here, on insidethepit.com!
In the two years that the Tennessee Valley Vipers have been back as members of the af2, the Vipers have been in unfamiliar territory—at home during the playoffs. Last season’s 7-9 team was much improved from the 3-13 season a year before, however, with a loss to Louisville in the final game of the regular season it allowed the Vipers arch-rivals, the Alabama Steeldogs to sneak into the playoffs despite being beaten twice by the Vipers.
This season is really do-or-die for the Vipers and the team’s fans. With just under 4,500 fans attending games last season, the Vipers are far and away from the marks set in the franchises’ early days. The days when almost 1,000 more people showed up per game to fill the Von Braun Center to near capacity.
The offense has been beefed up a little, and will hopefully out-perform the 25th worst offense in the af2 last season. The defense is getting even better with additions of former Steeldogs Eric Scott, RaJohn Myles and Deon Deboise, who were all a part of the Grand Rapids Rampage training camp roster.
Last season, the Vipers averaged scoring 41.6 points a game, but gave up only 45.4—good enough for ninth best in the league.
This season, the Vipers will look to improve on that offense with the addition of Andy Hall, a rookie quarterback from the University of Delaware and former Philadelphia Eagles back up. Hall spent last season with Vipers head coach Dean Cokinos. Also making his af2 debut is Jasper, Alabama native, Antwan Courington. Courington spent his college years in Hattiesburg under Jeff Bower and spent last season in the Intense Football League, where he was third in the league in scoring by a non-kicker and third in receiving yards per game while playing with former Southern Miss signal caller Dustin Almond.
Five players on the training camp roster for the Vipers have previously played in the AFL. That alone gives Vipers fans a reason to be excited about the upcoming season. Training camp starts soon and the season is just a month away.
In the two years that the Tennessee Valley Vipers have been back as members of the af2, the Vipers have been in unfamiliar territory—at home during the playoffs. Last season’s 7-9 team was much improved from the 3-13 season a year before, however, with a loss to Louisville in the final game of the regular season it allowed the Vipers arch-rivals, the Alabama Steeldogs to sneak into the playoffs despite being beaten twice by the Vipers.
This season is really do-or-die for the Vipers and the team’s fans. With just under 4,500 fans attending games last season, the Vipers are far and away from the marks set in the franchises’ early days. The days when almost 1,000 more people showed up per game to fill the Von Braun Center to near capacity.
The offense has been beefed up a little, and will hopefully out-perform the 25th worst offense in the af2 last season. The defense is getting even better with additions of former Steeldogs Eric Scott, RaJohn Myles and Deon Deboise, who were all a part of the Grand Rapids Rampage training camp roster.
Last season, the Vipers averaged scoring 41.6 points a game, but gave up only 45.4—good enough for ninth best in the league.
This season, the Vipers will look to improve on that offense with the addition of Andy Hall, a rookie quarterback from the University of Delaware and former Philadelphia Eagles back up. Hall spent last season with Vipers head coach Dean Cokinos. Also making his af2 debut is Jasper, Alabama native, Antwan Courington. Courington spent his college years in Hattiesburg under Jeff Bower and spent last season in the Intense Football League, where he was third in the league in scoring by a non-kicker and third in receiving yards per game while playing with former Southern Miss signal caller Dustin Almond.
Five players on the training camp roster for the Vipers have previously played in the AFL. That alone gives Vipers fans a reason to be excited about the upcoming season. Training camp starts soon and the season is just a month away.
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