Vipers back where they began

The year 2000 saw many new and exciting things happen around the USA. One of those new, exciting things was the creation of the af2. In August of the year, the af2 held its inaugural championship game featuring the Quad City Steamwheelers and the Tennessee Valley Vipers. The Vipers were on the short end of a 68-59 score, but the precedent was set. Tennessee Valley would be the af2's winningest team through 2004, before bolting to another indoor league. Since that time, the Vipers have been less than stellar. When they returned to the af2, the team saw a 3-13 record in their first season back, and witnessed a good turnaround last season finishing 7-9. However, those records were not acceptable by Vipers standards.
While attendance steadily declined, the Vipers kept fighting hard. Beginning the 2008 season with a dismal 0-3 record, it seemed to Huntsville fans that the Vipers were still on the uphill climb back to where they used to be.
Now, with just two teams remaining alive in the af2, the Vipers are once again back at the top. As the American Conference champions, Tennessee Valley has earned the right to play in Arena Cup 9 against the hosting and overall number one seed Spokane Shock.
The Shock sold out the contest before the week was up. Possibly over 10,000 af2 fans will see the league's championship game live, the projected largest crowd in the title game's history.
With good reason, the Shock come into the game with an astounding 17-1 record, it's only blemish a loss to South Georgia at home.
Tennessee Valley boasts a 13-6 record, including 13-3 since the 0-3 start.
Vipers players and coaches are aware of the magnitude of this game for Huntsville and the team's fans. Finally, the Vipers are back to the top, this time, however, they want to come out on the good side.