Tennessee Valley claimed their first division championship on Saturday night, however, they did it in losing fashion. Due to af2 tie breaking procedures, the Vipers clinched the division by losing by less than 22 points.
The Vipers fell 47-45 to the South Georgia Wildcats in the regular season finale.
It is a bittersweet championship for the Vipers, as the number two overall seed and a second home playoff game was on the line Saturday night.
Unfortunately, the Vipers fell to the third overall seed in the playoffs and will now have just one home playoff game, barring an upset by the seventh or eighth seeds in the American Conference.
Tennessee Valley took an early 7-0 lead with a pass from Kevin Eakin to Jeremy Grier after stopping South Georgia inside the red zone via a Travis Blanchard interception.
A turnover on downs by the Wildcats then allowed the Vipers to take a two touchdown lead as Jeremy Stephens hauled in an Eakin touchdown pass.
South Georgia took control, but had to use all four chances inside the two-yard line to finally get into the end zone with a one-yard Darnell Kennedy rush. Kennedy finished with 15 yards on eight carries.
On the ensuing drive, Tennessee Valley had to settle for a Nick Hayes field goal, stretching the lead to 17-7.
The Wildcats and Vipers then traded scores until the 7:45 mark in the fourth quarter. After a Clenton Rafe touchdown grab to pull the Wildcats within four, Blanchard took the kickoff and fumbled on the return. Mel Long recovered the fumble and South Georgia scored on the ensuing possession to take the 47-45 lead.
Tennessee Valley had one last shot, but could not complete a single pass on the drive and attempted a 31-yard field goal to go ahead.
The field goal attempt was wide-left, but in classic af2 fashion, the ball bounced off the rebound net and into the hands of a Vipers' lineman. However, a halo violation was called against the Vipers, negating the recovery and handing the Wildcats the ball and the game.
"It's disappointing to lose this one, cause I wanted (the playoff games) here," said Eric Scott.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Friday, July 24, 2009
Division Title on the Line Saturday Night
It has been five years since the Tennessee Valley Vipers have claimed a division championship. It was Kevin Guy's last season as the head coach and the Vipers only division title not in the Southern Division.
In 2004, Tennessee Valley claimed the Mid-South Division Championship with a 14-2 record, but made a second round exit to eventual champions Florida Firecats.
Coming to derail the Vipers hopes of a sixth division championship are the South Georgia Wildcats. The Wildcats are the same team that won last year's division championship by beating the Vipers at the Von Braun Center on the last week of the af2 season. They still have the ability to do that again this season.
Granted, the Wildcats would have to not only win, but win by 22 points or more due to the tie-breaking procedures in the af2.
If the Wildcats are going to upset the Vipers, quarterback Darnell Kennedy will have to step up to play his best game during his rookie campaign.
In Kennedy's last two starts against Tennessee Valley, the Alabama State product is 40-of-52 passing, but has only five touchdowns and has thrown two interceptions. In the last contest, Kennedy went down to injury in the second quarter and did not return.
Since his return to the lineup, South Georgia is 2-2 with a two-game win streak that was extended last week with a win over 12-3 Boise.
Kennedy has been sacked 20 times this season and will face one of the league's premier pass rushes that could have another added dimension this week as well.
Helping Kennedy by catching his passes will be Clenton Rafe, a former Vipers receiver. Along with Rafe will be Alvance Robinson, the team's leading receiver with 99 catches and 28 touchdowns. The Vipers secondary could also see Antwan Savage and Kelvin Dickens.
Tennessee Valley's offense has been consistent all season long. Averaging 49.9 points per game, the Vipers' methodical offense not only keeps their offensive numbers down, but with the stifling defense, it keeps the opposing offenses out of the end zone more often. That results in the second ranked scoring defense in the league, giving up only 37.1 points a contest.
Kevin Eakin will start under center once again for the Vipers, as he has been since the second half of the Albany contest last season.
Eakin's record as a starter is 22-6, one of the best records in Vipers history. His touchdown to interception ratio is the main reason for his success in Arena Football. He has still thrown just one interception since game four of the season.
While the receivers have been plentiful, the lineup has changed consistently, a tactic that could be very helpful to the Vipers and their match ups. Jeremy Stephens filled in for injured Michael Johnson last week. However, Jeremy Grier and Larry Shipp have been staples in the line up for a few weeks now and should continue to be.
Defensively, the Vipers will attempt to continue their onslaught of opposing offenses. With the exception of two fourth down touchdowns passes last week, the Vipers were very stingy on the defensive side of the ball against the Florida Firecats.
With a plus-11 turnover ratio, Tennessee Valley has had the luxury of having many more possessions than their opponents, which anyone associated with Arena Football will tell you, will win more football games than anything else.
Saturday night, the Vipers could inch closer in the overall series against the Wildcats, as South Georgia holds a 6-4 advantage all-time.
With a win, Tennessee Valley would clinch the number two overall seed in the conference and two home games in the playoffs, assuming a first-round win.
However, with some help from Manchester on Friday night and Iowa on Saturday, the Vipers could grab the top seed in the playoffs.
Outside of all the scenarios and the numbers, Saturday night's contest will be a slobberknocker no matter what. Lest we forget that these two squads have no love-loss between them and they will bring all they've got to this contest.
Key Players:
South Georgia - QB Darnell Kennedy, WR Alvance Robinson, DB Quentin Burrell
Tennessee Valley - QB Kevin Eakin, DE Eric Scott, WR Larry Shipp
Pit Prediction:
South Georgia 41
Tennessee Valley 50
In 2004, Tennessee Valley claimed the Mid-South Division Championship with a 14-2 record, but made a second round exit to eventual champions Florida Firecats.
Coming to derail the Vipers hopes of a sixth division championship are the South Georgia Wildcats. The Wildcats are the same team that won last year's division championship by beating the Vipers at the Von Braun Center on the last week of the af2 season. They still have the ability to do that again this season.
Granted, the Wildcats would have to not only win, but win by 22 points or more due to the tie-breaking procedures in the af2.
If the Wildcats are going to upset the Vipers, quarterback Darnell Kennedy will have to step up to play his best game during his rookie campaign.
In Kennedy's last two starts against Tennessee Valley, the Alabama State product is 40-of-52 passing, but has only five touchdowns and has thrown two interceptions. In the last contest, Kennedy went down to injury in the second quarter and did not return.
Since his return to the lineup, South Georgia is 2-2 with a two-game win streak that was extended last week with a win over 12-3 Boise.
Kennedy has been sacked 20 times this season and will face one of the league's premier pass rushes that could have another added dimension this week as well.
Helping Kennedy by catching his passes will be Clenton Rafe, a former Vipers receiver. Along with Rafe will be Alvance Robinson, the team's leading receiver with 99 catches and 28 touchdowns. The Vipers secondary could also see Antwan Savage and Kelvin Dickens.
Tennessee Valley's offense has been consistent all season long. Averaging 49.9 points per game, the Vipers' methodical offense not only keeps their offensive numbers down, but with the stifling defense, it keeps the opposing offenses out of the end zone more often. That results in the second ranked scoring defense in the league, giving up only 37.1 points a contest.
Kevin Eakin will start under center once again for the Vipers, as he has been since the second half of the Albany contest last season.
Eakin's record as a starter is 22-6, one of the best records in Vipers history. His touchdown to interception ratio is the main reason for his success in Arena Football. He has still thrown just one interception since game four of the season.
While the receivers have been plentiful, the lineup has changed consistently, a tactic that could be very helpful to the Vipers and their match ups. Jeremy Stephens filled in for injured Michael Johnson last week. However, Jeremy Grier and Larry Shipp have been staples in the line up for a few weeks now and should continue to be.
Defensively, the Vipers will attempt to continue their onslaught of opposing offenses. With the exception of two fourth down touchdowns passes last week, the Vipers were very stingy on the defensive side of the ball against the Florida Firecats.
With a plus-11 turnover ratio, Tennessee Valley has had the luxury of having many more possessions than their opponents, which anyone associated with Arena Football will tell you, will win more football games than anything else.
Saturday night, the Vipers could inch closer in the overall series against the Wildcats, as South Georgia holds a 6-4 advantage all-time.
With a win, Tennessee Valley would clinch the number two overall seed in the conference and two home games in the playoffs, assuming a first-round win.
However, with some help from Manchester on Friday night and Iowa on Saturday, the Vipers could grab the top seed in the playoffs.
Outside of all the scenarios and the numbers, Saturday night's contest will be a slobberknocker no matter what. Lest we forget that these two squads have no love-loss between them and they will bring all they've got to this contest.
Key Players:
South Georgia - QB Darnell Kennedy, WR Alvance Robinson, DB Quentin Burrell
Tennessee Valley - QB Kevin Eakin, DE Eric Scott, WR Larry Shipp
Pit Prediction:
South Georgia 41
Tennessee Valley 50
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Vipers Closing in on Division Title
Saturday night could mean much more than being just the Tennessee Valley Vipers' 11th win. With a win and a South Georgia loss the Vipers would clinch their first division championship since a Mid-South division title in 2004.
But first, the Vipers must once again tame the league's number one offense, and it is once again the Kentucky Horsemen.
Kentucky leads the league in scoring offense at 62.4 points per game, while Tennessee Valley is still second in scoring defense at 36.5 points per game, just two tenths of a point from the leading Spokane Shock.
The Horsemen have been spectacular at home this season, collecting a 5-1 record. On the opposite side, Tennessee Valley has gone just 3-3 on the road this season.
Jared Lorenzen still leads the Horsemen in both rushing and passing. He has thrown for 54 touchdowns and rushed for 19, while throwing just three interceptions and fumbling just once.
Lorenzen is also still sharing the snaps with Justin Rascatti. The duo have worked well this season in the shotgun and Rascatti has tossed 21 touchdowns to just three picks.
Lonnell Dewalt leads the team in receptions and touchdowns. Dewalt's 30 touchdowns also ranks in the top ten of the league. Harry Lewis and John Cooper also haul in the passes and Lewis leads the team in receiving yards.
Defensively, the Horsemen will put a mid-pack scoring defense on the field against a mid-pack offense.
Kentucky does, however, have more interceptions than anyone in the af2 with 29.
Kevin Eakin will lead the Vipers into Rupp Arena and attempt to avoid any misfires just as he did the last time the two teams met on the field of battle.
Eakin has continued his exceptional play over the last few weeks. His 11-1 touchdown/interception ratio is one of the tops in the league. Considering all but one of those interceptions came in the first three weeks of the season, his touchdown/interception ratio then becomes 55-1.
Jeremy Grier leads the receiving corps this week. Along with him will be Larry Shipp, who hauled in four scores in the Vipers last game, and Michael Johnson will round out the starting receivers.
It has been rumored that former receiver Gary Elliot will join the team this week as well. Elliot set an Arena Cup record last season with four touchdown catches in the championship game.
Defensively, Tennessee Valley has continued to shut down top offenses this season. Three teams have played the Vipers with the top ranked offense and have been held to 22 points or more below their average each time.
Henry Freeman, the full-time firefighter and part-time Viper came through in a major way last week at linebacker. He was second on the team in tackles and had a half tackle for loss to stop the Tulsa Talons on a fourth down.
Tennessee Valley will look to continue its winning streak and attempt to gain a winning record on the road for the first time this season with a win over Kentucky.
But it will have to happen in front of a "Rupp" crowd.
Pit Prediction
Tennessee Valley Vipers - 46
Kentucky Horsemen - 30
Key Players
Tennessee Valley Vipers - QB Kevin Eakin, JLB Henry Freeman, WR Larry Shipp
Kentucky Horsemen - QB Jared Lorenzen, QB Justin Rascatti, DB William Mulder
But first, the Vipers must once again tame the league's number one offense, and it is once again the Kentucky Horsemen.
Kentucky leads the league in scoring offense at 62.4 points per game, while Tennessee Valley is still second in scoring defense at 36.5 points per game, just two tenths of a point from the leading Spokane Shock.
The Horsemen have been spectacular at home this season, collecting a 5-1 record. On the opposite side, Tennessee Valley has gone just 3-3 on the road this season.
Jared Lorenzen still leads the Horsemen in both rushing and passing. He has thrown for 54 touchdowns and rushed for 19, while throwing just three interceptions and fumbling just once.
Lorenzen is also still sharing the snaps with Justin Rascatti. The duo have worked well this season in the shotgun and Rascatti has tossed 21 touchdowns to just three picks.
Lonnell Dewalt leads the team in receptions and touchdowns. Dewalt's 30 touchdowns also ranks in the top ten of the league. Harry Lewis and John Cooper also haul in the passes and Lewis leads the team in receiving yards.
Defensively, the Horsemen will put a mid-pack scoring defense on the field against a mid-pack offense.
Kentucky does, however, have more interceptions than anyone in the af2 with 29.
Kevin Eakin will lead the Vipers into Rupp Arena and attempt to avoid any misfires just as he did the last time the two teams met on the field of battle.
Eakin has continued his exceptional play over the last few weeks. His 11-1 touchdown/interception ratio is one of the tops in the league. Considering all but one of those interceptions came in the first three weeks of the season, his touchdown/interception ratio then becomes 55-1.
Jeremy Grier leads the receiving corps this week. Along with him will be Larry Shipp, who hauled in four scores in the Vipers last game, and Michael Johnson will round out the starting receivers.
It has been rumored that former receiver Gary Elliot will join the team this week as well. Elliot set an Arena Cup record last season with four touchdown catches in the championship game.
Defensively, Tennessee Valley has continued to shut down top offenses this season. Three teams have played the Vipers with the top ranked offense and have been held to 22 points or more below their average each time.
Henry Freeman, the full-time firefighter and part-time Viper came through in a major way last week at linebacker. He was second on the team in tackles and had a half tackle for loss to stop the Tulsa Talons on a fourth down.
Tennessee Valley will look to continue its winning streak and attempt to gain a winning record on the road for the first time this season with a win over Kentucky.
But it will have to happen in front of a "Rupp" crowd.
Pit Prediction
Tennessee Valley Vipers - 46
Kentucky Horsemen - 30
Key Players
Tennessee Valley Vipers - QB Kevin Eakin, JLB Henry Freeman, WR Larry Shipp
Kentucky Horsemen - QB Jared Lorenzen, QB Justin Rascatti, DB William Mulder
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