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.