Tennessee Valley's championship celebration and player intros may have taken longer than expected, but the defending af2 chamipions made quick work of the Quad City Steamwheelers in Saturday's 74-20 win in their home opener.
Demetrius Derico was announced for the introduction, however, it took several minutes for the defensive back to respond to the call.
The opening drive saw Vipers (1-1) quarterback Kevin Eakin lead his team inside the red zone, only to have a pass intercepted in the end zone. Quad City (1-1) could not muster anything offensively and were forced to attempt a 60-yard field goal that fell well short of the cross bar.
On the ensuing possession, Eakin found Bradly Chavez from four yards out to give the Vipers an early 7-0 lead following the first of ten successful extra points by kicker Nick Hayes.
Vipers' nose guard Marcus White ended the Steamwheelers next drive on first down when he sacked J.J. Raterink for a safety, leaving the Vipers ahead 9-0 in the early going.
Just 33 seconds later Chris Bocage returned the kick off 58 yards to the end zone, pushing the Vipers' lead to 16-0.
Quad City then got on the scoreboard with a 27-yard touchdown toss to Jesse Schmidt. Schmidt hauled in seven touchdowns in the Steamwheelers opening contest, but was held to just five catches for 80 yards and this lone score on the night.
Eakin led the Vipers down the field for another touchdown, this time to Bocage, giving the Vipers a 23-7 lead.
Defensive back Desmond Foster then set his sights on a Raterink pass and picked off the signal caller and returned the ball 23 yards, setting up Eakin and Chavez for their second touchdown of the night.
The ensuing kick off saw the officials have one of their infamous meetings at the goalline. Referee Mark Curles then announced that the return team had run out of the end zone and then back into the end zone, resulting in another Vipers safety.
Chavez then hauled in his third touchdown catch of the night from Eakin. If you've lost count, the score is 39-7 Vipers, and it is not even half time.
The Steamwheelers then drew a little closer when Raterink found 2007 Ironman of the Year Jack Walker for a touchdown. Walker would finish his night with 36 yards on seven catches and one score.
Bocage would then make his third trip to pay dirt, second by way of an Eakin pass pushing the Vipers lead to 46-13 going into the half.
Quad City's luck would not change on the second half's opening kickoff. Akeem Lockett recovered a Steamwheelers fumble for a Vipers' touchdown.
Two consecutive turnover on downs led to two Vipers touchdowns, Eakin to Bocage and backup quarterback Tony Colston's first touchdown pass of the season to Michael Johnson.
Eakin finished much better than last week, completing 20-of-26 passes for 194 yards and six touchdowns.
The Vipers defense forced another fourth down turnover, however, Benji McDowell would fumble on the Vipers ensuing possession giving the Steamwheelers a chance for their first score of the second half.
Quad City decided to go with backup signal caller Brian Zbydniewski, however, the results would not be much different. Travis Blanchard picked off Zbydniewski at the goalline.
Colston then found Chavez for his fourth touchdown catch of the night, putting the Vipers ahead 74-13.
The Steamwheelers would end the scoring and round out the final score when Zbydniewski flipped a screen to tight end Jason Jones and Jones rumbled his way into the end zone.
On a side note, I caught a pass from Kevin Eakin in the second quarter in the stands. Heck of a catch too, if I must say so myself.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
It Will Be a "Banner Night" for Vipers
Tennessee Valley will open up the home schedule of the 2009 af2 season on Saturday night. The visitors will be from the Quad Cities, based in Moline, Illinois. I don't think the Steamwheelers will be driving John Deere tractors down, however. In case you didn't know, Moline, Ill. is the home of John Deere tractors.
The Steamwheelers and Vipers have quite the history, Quad City finished off their perfect season in 2000 with a win over the Vipers in Arena Cup I.
So how fitting is it that when the Vipers unveil the 2008 Arena Cup Champions banner, that the Steamwheelers be in the building?
Quad City brings with them a plethora of veterans, including quarterback J.J. Raterink. Raterink was spectacular in week one of the af2 season, throwing for 333 yards and eight touchdowns. Largely in part to wide out Jesse Schmidt who caught seven of those touchdown passes.
Ironman Jack Walker Jr. is back with the Wheelers after one season in Iowa. Walker, who won the 2007 Ironman of the Year award, will be tough to throw over from the jack linebacker position.
Vipers quarterback Kevin Eakin is looking forward to this week in hopes of redeeming himself after last week's dismal performance.
Quad City gave up 56 points to Peoria last week and allowed rookie quarterback Luke Drone to throw for 299 yards and eight touchdowns himself.
The Vipers will have their work cut out against this potent offense, but the defense that came up with four stops last week will be tested and ready to go.
Key players:
Quad City - QB JJ Raterink, WR Jesse Schmidt, FB Terrance Freeney
Tennessee Valley - QB Kevin Eakin, WR Michael Johnson, DE Eric Scott
Pit Prediction:
Quad City - 55
Tennessee Valley 57
The Steamwheelers and Vipers have quite the history, Quad City finished off their perfect season in 2000 with a win over the Vipers in Arena Cup I.
So how fitting is it that when the Vipers unveil the 2008 Arena Cup Champions banner, that the Steamwheelers be in the building?
Quad City brings with them a plethora of veterans, including quarterback J.J. Raterink. Raterink was spectacular in week one of the af2 season, throwing for 333 yards and eight touchdowns. Largely in part to wide out Jesse Schmidt who caught seven of those touchdown passes.
Ironman Jack Walker Jr. is back with the Wheelers after one season in Iowa. Walker, who won the 2007 Ironman of the Year award, will be tough to throw over from the jack linebacker position.
Vipers quarterback Kevin Eakin is looking forward to this week in hopes of redeeming himself after last week's dismal performance.
Quad City gave up 56 points to Peoria last week and allowed rookie quarterback Luke Drone to throw for 299 yards and eight touchdowns himself.
The Vipers will have their work cut out against this potent offense, but the defense that came up with four stops last week will be tested and ready to go.
Key players:
Quad City - QB JJ Raterink, WR Jesse Schmidt, FB Terrance Freeney
Tennessee Valley - QB Kevin Eakin, WR Michael Johnson, DE Eric Scott
Pit Prediction:
Quad City - 55
Tennessee Valley 57
Turnovers doom Vipers
It was the first snap of the season and Tennessee Valley center Lance Ancar had prepared all camp for this moment. "Hut!" Fumble! Green Bay recovers. The tale of the tape is that Tennessee Valley had three turnovers and Green Bay committed just one. Thus, the Blizzard took the opening week contest 53-40 over the Vipers.
Quarterback Kevin Eakin did not have the best performance of his short career, but Eakin was not all bad. At one point in the contest, Eakin was 12-16, but two of his incomplete passes were to Blizzard defensemen. Eakin finished 27-of-39 and four touchdown tosses and he led the Vipers in rushing with 27 yards on two scrambles.
Eakin's new favorite target with Alonzo Nix and Maurice Brown not in the game was Michael Johnson. Johnson caught 12 passes for 158 yards and two scores. Chris Bocage caught eight passes and Bradly Chavez hauled in six receptions.
Bocage did rush for a touchdown as well from 17 yards out in the third quarter.
Blizzard signal caller Gino Guidulgi was as good as advertised. Guidulgi was 19-of-33 and threw for four touchdowns as well. His lone interception essentially meant nothing as Chavez could not handle the snap on a field goal attempt to end the first half.
The Blizzard had two more possessions than the Vipers and that proved to be the difference in a game where the Vipers came up with four defensive stops--usually good enough to win in Arena Football.
The Vipers will come back home this week to take on the Quad City Steamwheelers.
Quarterback Kevin Eakin did not have the best performance of his short career, but Eakin was not all bad. At one point in the contest, Eakin was 12-16, but two of his incomplete passes were to Blizzard defensemen. Eakin finished 27-of-39 and four touchdown tosses and he led the Vipers in rushing with 27 yards on two scrambles.
Eakin's new favorite target with Alonzo Nix and Maurice Brown not in the game was Michael Johnson. Johnson caught 12 passes for 158 yards and two scores. Chris Bocage caught eight passes and Bradly Chavez hauled in six receptions.
Bocage did rush for a touchdown as well from 17 yards out in the third quarter.
Blizzard signal caller Gino Guidulgi was as good as advertised. Guidulgi was 19-of-33 and threw for four touchdowns as well. His lone interception essentially meant nothing as Chavez could not handle the snap on a field goal attempt to end the first half.
The Blizzard had two more possessions than the Vipers and that proved to be the difference in a game where the Vipers came up with four defensive stops--usually good enough to win in Arena Football.
The Vipers will come back home this week to take on the Quad City Steamwheelers.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Vipers take on Blizzard
Tennessee Valley will begin their quest of defending their 2008 Arena Cup championship on the road this season.
It will mark the first time the Vipers have started their season away from the Von Braun Center since 2003, when the Vipers defeated Florida on the road.
The af2 season can be hard to predict in the early going. Who would have ever thought the 7-9 Vipers would come back the next season to win the Arena Cup?
Based on last year's performances, the season opener at Green Bay will have the makings of a dandy.
Green Bay finished last season with a one-point, last-second loss to Manchester in the playoffs at home. However, the Blizzard did defeat the Vipers head-to-head 37-35 when the Vipers could not convert a two-point conversion to tie the game at the end.
Green Bay will enlist Gino Guidulgi at quarterback this season. Guidulgi played the final three contests for the Blizzard last season and finished with an impressive 14 touchdowns and just one interception. Guidulgi also rushed for four scores last season.
Only Brian Hernandez and "Superman" Robert Garth have experience for the Blizzard at wide receiver and the defensive line took a huge loss when Joe Sykes signed with the CFL.
Tennessee Valley will counter Guidulgi with Kevin Eakin. Eakin entered his first game as a Viper in the second half of the Albany game last season and brought the Vipers from behind to win that game and never looked back. Eakin was the full-time starter until a knee injury took him out of the Arena Cup and he was replaced by back up Tony Colston. Eakin will once again be given the reigns and is undoubtedly the starting quarterback.
Eakin will have to work with receivers that are new to the Vipers, but not to the af2. Chris Bocage was part of the Albany team that Eakin beat last season and Bradly Chavez is a 3 year veteran, who was the af2's Ironman of the Year last season with the Manchester Wolves.
Michael Johnson is the expected third starter. Johnson is the only former Viper on the receiving corps. Injuries plagues Johnson last season, but the team says he is 100 percent and ready to play.
Eric Scott will have to work with a few newcomers as well. The defensive front will not include Rico Reese or Terrance Ford and linebacker RaJohn Myles is not with the team pending a CFL try out, but Tennessee Valley will have experience throughout the defense. Keller Speakes joins the Vipers after two seasons with the Louisville Fire. Speakes recorded 30.5 tackles last season, including six sacks. His one interception and three forced fumbles also anchored the Fire last season.
Speakes will have a college teammate in front of him at nose tackle. John Scott will play nose tackle along with Benji McDowell. Beside Speakes will be Chavez.
The defensive backfield is set and should make Vipers fans comfortable. Demetrius Derico, Desmond Foster and Travis Blanchard will be anchoring the last line.
Expect a fight to the finish with these two teams on Saturday. Both squads will be looking to get the season off on the right foot, and Tennessee Valley will have the targets lit up on their backs as the defending champions.
Key Players:
Green Bay - QB Gino Guidulgi, WR Robert Garth
Tennessee Valley - QB Kevin Eakin, WR/LB Bradly Chavez, DE Eric Scott
Pit Prediction:
Tennessee Valley 54 Green Bay 48
It will mark the first time the Vipers have started their season away from the Von Braun Center since 2003, when the Vipers defeated Florida on the road.
The af2 season can be hard to predict in the early going. Who would have ever thought the 7-9 Vipers would come back the next season to win the Arena Cup?
Based on last year's performances, the season opener at Green Bay will have the makings of a dandy.
Green Bay finished last season with a one-point, last-second loss to Manchester in the playoffs at home. However, the Blizzard did defeat the Vipers head-to-head 37-35 when the Vipers could not convert a two-point conversion to tie the game at the end.
Green Bay will enlist Gino Guidulgi at quarterback this season. Guidulgi played the final three contests for the Blizzard last season and finished with an impressive 14 touchdowns and just one interception. Guidulgi also rushed for four scores last season.
Only Brian Hernandez and "Superman" Robert Garth have experience for the Blizzard at wide receiver and the defensive line took a huge loss when Joe Sykes signed with the CFL.
Tennessee Valley will counter Guidulgi with Kevin Eakin. Eakin entered his first game as a Viper in the second half of the Albany game last season and brought the Vipers from behind to win that game and never looked back. Eakin was the full-time starter until a knee injury took him out of the Arena Cup and he was replaced by back up Tony Colston. Eakin will once again be given the reigns and is undoubtedly the starting quarterback.
Eakin will have to work with receivers that are new to the Vipers, but not to the af2. Chris Bocage was part of the Albany team that Eakin beat last season and Bradly Chavez is a 3 year veteran, who was the af2's Ironman of the Year last season with the Manchester Wolves.
Michael Johnson is the expected third starter. Johnson is the only former Viper on the receiving corps. Injuries plagues Johnson last season, but the team says he is 100 percent and ready to play.
Eric Scott will have to work with a few newcomers as well. The defensive front will not include Rico Reese or Terrance Ford and linebacker RaJohn Myles is not with the team pending a CFL try out, but Tennessee Valley will have experience throughout the defense. Keller Speakes joins the Vipers after two seasons with the Louisville Fire. Speakes recorded 30.5 tackles last season, including six sacks. His one interception and three forced fumbles also anchored the Fire last season.
Speakes will have a college teammate in front of him at nose tackle. John Scott will play nose tackle along with Benji McDowell. Beside Speakes will be Chavez.
The defensive backfield is set and should make Vipers fans comfortable. Demetrius Derico, Desmond Foster and Travis Blanchard will be anchoring the last line.
Expect a fight to the finish with these two teams on Saturday. Both squads will be looking to get the season off on the right foot, and Tennessee Valley will have the targets lit up on their backs as the defending champions.
Key Players:
Green Bay - QB Gino Guidulgi, WR Robert Garth
Tennessee Valley - QB Kevin Eakin, WR/LB Bradly Chavez, DE Eric Scott
Pit Prediction:
Tennessee Valley 54 Green Bay 48
Thursday, March 19, 2009
If it were a VIPER it would have bitten me--Season almost here
Just around the corner is the upcoming 2009 af2 season. With the opening game tonight, the af2 will kick off what is sure to be a great 10th anniversary season.
The defending Arena Cup champions, Tennessee Valley is preparing to defend their title in training camp and will kick off next week on the road at Green Bay.
Withreturners at key positions, the Vipers look to make a long run in defense of the championship. Defensive lineman Eric Scott is back to anchor a big defensive front along with Keller Speaks and John Scott. Demetrius Derico will return along with Travis Blanchard to secure the backfield. 2008 af2 Ironman of the Year Bradly Chavez has been assigned to play linebacker and receiver. Expect Chavez to play a key role for the Vipers on both sides of the ball this season.
On the offensive side, QB Kevin Eakin is still the starter, even after the performance of Tony Colston in the Arena Cup. WR Chris Bocage wanted to wear the black and green this season, and signed with the Vipers over the Albany Firebirds. Michael Johnson is also back from last year's squad.
Practices have been upbeat and Coach Dean Cokinos is happy with the group of players he's put together.
It's time to get loud and be proud, Huntsville. Your Vipers are the best team in the league and that should bring you to the game.
On a side note, the Quad City Steamwheelers will be in town April 4th for the home opener. We will be unveiling the banner that night, and I have a surprise for the Steamwheelers faithful.
The defending Arena Cup champions, Tennessee Valley is preparing to defend their title in training camp and will kick off next week on the road at Green Bay.
Withreturners at key positions, the Vipers look to make a long run in defense of the championship. Defensive lineman Eric Scott is back to anchor a big defensive front along with Keller Speaks and John Scott. Demetrius Derico will return along with Travis Blanchard to secure the backfield. 2008 af2 Ironman of the Year Bradly Chavez has been assigned to play linebacker and receiver. Expect Chavez to play a key role for the Vipers on both sides of the ball this season.
On the offensive side, QB Kevin Eakin is still the starter, even after the performance of Tony Colston in the Arena Cup. WR Chris Bocage wanted to wear the black and green this season, and signed with the Vipers over the Albany Firebirds. Michael Johnson is also back from last year's squad.
Practices have been upbeat and Coach Dean Cokinos is happy with the group of players he's put together.
It's time to get loud and be proud, Huntsville. Your Vipers are the best team in the league and that should bring you to the game.
On a side note, the Quad City Steamwheelers will be in town April 4th for the home opener. We will be unveiling the banner that night, and I have a surprise for the Steamwheelers faithful.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Vipers roster shaping up
Just a couple weeks into 2009, the Tennessee Valley Vipers have some of the most important figures from the defending Arena Cup championship team signed and returning for another run at the title.
Eric Scott is one of those slated to return to the Vipers. Scott was in negotiations with the Orlando Predators before the AFL abruptly ended business for this upcoming season. Scott recorded 33.5 tackles including 18.5 tackles for loss. 17.5 of the tackles for loss were quarterback sacks. Scott also blocked 2 field goals in the regular season and one i the Arena Cup. His 22 quarterback hurries were tops on last year's team.
Joining Scott again on defense is RaJohn Myles. Myles finished last season with 8.5 sacks and four fumble recoveries. From his MLB position, Myles was a the leader and the force that made opposing offenses fear throwing across the middle.
Also, returning from last season will be defensive backs, Darren Garrigan, Desmon Foster, Demetrius Derico and Travis Blanchard.
Blanchard is almost a household name in Huntsville. His picture graces each Vipers billboard and everyone loves number 7. Garrigan was green in his first few games with the Vipers, but as the playoffs came around, so did Garrigan. He matched his three pass break ups in the regular season with three in the Arena Cup alone and 9 in the four playoff wins.
Derico led the Vipers all season in interceptions and was among the league leaders as well with 9 picks.
Foster set an Arena Cup record with 13.5 tackles. He also had three picks in the regular season, five in the post season, including one in the Arena Cup.
Offensively, returning for the Vipers will be backup signal caller and Arena Cup MVP Tony Colston. Colston returns as the starter as of right now.
With the receiving corps returning for the Vipers, it won't be hard for Colston to look like an NFL prospect. Maurice Brown, Alonzo Nix, Jeremy Stephens and Michael Johnson all return. Also Chris Bocage was added from the Albany Conquest and two rookies from the University of North Alabama also thrown into the mix, one of which was in camp with the Colorado Crush before the AFL suspended the 2009 season.
Brown led the team with 108.8 yards receiving a game and 29 scores before being injured. Nix hauled in 23 scores of his own and 85 yards a game. Johnson posted three touchdowns in three games and 65 yards receiving per contest.
In the playoffs, Nix hauled in 9 scores and averaged 131.8 yards a game.
Some other new faces joining the Vipers will be OL/DL John Scott of Jacksonville State. FB/LB and DE Keller Speakes, also of Jacksonville State. Speakes has two years experience with the Louisville Fire. Scott is a rookie who was in camp with the Tennessee Titans the last two years.
Once again, the Vipers roster is shaping up tremendously and in 2009 the HISS is BACK!
Eric Scott is one of those slated to return to the Vipers. Scott was in negotiations with the Orlando Predators before the AFL abruptly ended business for this upcoming season. Scott recorded 33.5 tackles including 18.5 tackles for loss. 17.5 of the tackles for loss were quarterback sacks. Scott also blocked 2 field goals in the regular season and one i the Arena Cup. His 22 quarterback hurries were tops on last year's team.
Joining Scott again on defense is RaJohn Myles. Myles finished last season with 8.5 sacks and four fumble recoveries. From his MLB position, Myles was a the leader and the force that made opposing offenses fear throwing across the middle.
Also, returning from last season will be defensive backs, Darren Garrigan, Desmon Foster, Demetrius Derico and Travis Blanchard.
Blanchard is almost a household name in Huntsville. His picture graces each Vipers billboard and everyone loves number 7. Garrigan was green in his first few games with the Vipers, but as the playoffs came around, so did Garrigan. He matched his three pass break ups in the regular season with three in the Arena Cup alone and 9 in the four playoff wins.
Derico led the Vipers all season in interceptions and was among the league leaders as well with 9 picks.
Foster set an Arena Cup record with 13.5 tackles. He also had three picks in the regular season, five in the post season, including one in the Arena Cup.
Offensively, returning for the Vipers will be backup signal caller and Arena Cup MVP Tony Colston. Colston returns as the starter as of right now.
With the receiving corps returning for the Vipers, it won't be hard for Colston to look like an NFL prospect. Maurice Brown, Alonzo Nix, Jeremy Stephens and Michael Johnson all return. Also Chris Bocage was added from the Albany Conquest and two rookies from the University of North Alabama also thrown into the mix, one of which was in camp with the Colorado Crush before the AFL suspended the 2009 season.
Brown led the team with 108.8 yards receiving a game and 29 scores before being injured. Nix hauled in 23 scores of his own and 85 yards a game. Johnson posted three touchdowns in three games and 65 yards receiving per contest.
In the playoffs, Nix hauled in 9 scores and averaged 131.8 yards a game.
Some other new faces joining the Vipers will be OL/DL John Scott of Jacksonville State. FB/LB and DE Keller Speakes, also of Jacksonville State. Speakes has two years experience with the Louisville Fire. Scott is a rookie who was in camp with the Tennessee Titans the last two years.
Once again, the Vipers roster is shaping up tremendously and in 2009 the HISS is BACK!
Monday, September 1, 2008
Arena Cup Champions
Backup quarterback Tony Colston led the Vipers on a 4-play 39 yard drive in overtime and capped it off with a three yard rush on a two-point conversion to lead the Tennessee Valley Vipers to a 56-55 win over the home standing Spokane Shock in Arena Cup 9.
Colston had to enter the game on just the Vipers second possession after starting quarterback Kevin Eakin was injured on his lone touchdown pass of the game.
Eakin tossed a score to Alonzo Nix and while Nix celebrated, Eakin lay on the turf in pain as a Shock defender rolled into his ankle.
So, Colston, who had been the team’s back up since Andy Hall was traded to Austin, stepped in and had a career night. Colston completed 20-of-30 passes for 288 yards and seven touchdowns. To his credit as well, the signal caller did not turn the ball over.
Arena Cup 9 was full of record setting performances. The Shock crowd of 10,662 was the largest crowd to witness an Arena Cup since the inaugural game in 2000 in which the Vipers also played in, but lost to Quad City.
Four receivers also tied Cup marks with four touchdown receptions. Alonzo Nix and Gary Elliot each hauled in four scores for the Vipers, while Kelvin Dickens and Raul Vijil each grabbed four as well. Vijil’s 166 yards receiving led all receivers. Dickens gained 159 yards on 13 catches also.
Defensive player of the game, Desmond Foster recorded 13.5 tackles, an Arena Cup record, and also an interception.
Both teams swapped scores the entire night. Tennessee Valley trailed only twice, once after Nick Hayes missed an extra point and Spokane converted to lead 35-34, and once more after scoring first in overtime.
Travis Blanchard scored yet another rushing touchdown during the contest. Blanchard scored on the ground in every game but the loss at Florida.
Eric Scott recorded the only sack for the Vipers bringing his playoff total to 5, which led the team.
Before the season began, Scott told me that if the Vipers didn’t win a championship, they “didn’t do their jobs.”
Eric, job well done.
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