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
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