Heavyweight tilt on tap for title

HBO and Showtime won't be there. The game won't be $49.99 on pay-per-view. Michael Buffer won't be saying, "Let's get ready to rumble!" prior to the national anthem. However, Saturday night's South Division title game between the Tennessee Valley Vipers and South Georgia Wildcats has all the makings of a heavyweight title match.
The Wildcats enter the contest with a one game lead in the division with an 11-4 record, while the Vipers sit at 10-5. A win by Tennessee Valley would give them the division due to a 2-1 head-to-head record with the Wildcats.
The road team has won each of the two previous meetings. The Vipers are just 2-4 against the Wildcats since the move to South Georgia.
South Georgia stole a win to start the season on the final play of the game with a hook-and-ladder ending in quarterback Cecil Lester falling into the end zone.
Tennessee Valley answered with a 65-51 win in South Georgia.
The Vipers win last week over Florida set up the final regular season game as the division championship. Florida is now out of the running for their fifth consecutive division title.
South Georgia enters the game on a six game winning streak. Andrico Hines will start under center for the Wildcats. Hines has played extremely well during the season. In 12 games, Hines has completed 62 percent of his passes for 59 touchdowns and just 10 interceptions. Two of those interceptions were against the Vipers, however. His 62.3 percent completion percentage is good enough for ninth in the league, and his 111.4 passer rating is also ninth best in the af2.
The Wildcats main threat is all-purpose man P.J. Berry. Berry ranks in the top ten in the league in receiving yards per game and leads the league in all-purpose yards. His six kick returns for touchdowns leads the af2.
But the Vipers will counter the offensive attack with one of the af2's leading defenses. Eric Scott and Terrance Ford both rank in the top ten in sacks and tackles for loss. The team is fifth in the af2 in scoring defense, giving up just 43.1 points a contest. including a total of just 49 points in the last two games.
The offense has been on all cylinders the last two weeks and with the absence of Maurice Brown the rest of the receivers have stepped up. Alonzo Nix hauled in three touchdowns last week.
With 33 rushing touchdowns, the Vipers love to punch it in when they get close to the goal line. Travis Blanchard returned to the line up last week and once again found the end zone by the ground game. His 12 rushing scores leads the team.
Nick Hayes anchors the kicking game while being second in the league in scoring by a kicker with 9 points a game. His 48.1 percent on field goals leads the league with a minimum number of 27 attempts on the season.
The teams are in their corners and the stage is set for the biggest game in Huntsville since 2004. Let's just hope referee David Smith doesn't say, "Let's get it on!" during the coin toss.

Vipers tame Firecats, title bout set

The Tennessee Valley Vipers know what it takes to beat their arch rivals Florida. A quick start and a complete finish. Saturday night the Vipers (10-5) got just that. The Florida Firecats (9-6) got in a 16-0 hole and could not climb out as Tennessee Valley poured on the points and the defense shut down what was once the league's premier offense in 58-28 fashion in Estero, Florida.
Nick Hayes got the Vipers on the board early with a 32-yard field goal and Alonzo Nix caught two touchdowns before Florida could muster a score.
Former Viper James Gibson got the Firecats on the scoreboard with a 4-yard touchdown run, but the Vipers responded. Three plays and 43 yards later, Benjamin McDowell hauled in his first of two touchdown grabs to put the Vipers back up 16.
The Vipers intercepted a pass on the next Florida possession and returned it for a touchdown, only to have it called back on a questionable call by the officials.
Magic Benton caught his first touchdown pass on the drive that continued with that penalty. The two teams traded score until the end of the half, where Tennessee Valley led 30-21.
After the half, the Vipers scored 28 unanswered points after capitalizing on an interception, a fumble and two turnovers on downs.
Benton ended the scoring with a touchdown grab.
Vipers quarterback Kevin Eakin was 14-of-20 on the night for just 124 yards but four touchdowns and a 25-yard scamper. Alonzo Nix was the favorite target coming down with seven catches and three scores.
Rico Reese recorded a sack and Desmond Foster came down with an interception in the great defensive effort by the Vipers. The Vipers defense held the Firecats to 1-of-6 on third down and 0-of-5 on fourth down.
With the win, Tennessee Valley is set up to host the South Georgia Wildcats next weekend in Huntsville for the South Division title.
The Wildcats and Vipers have split decisions on the year, with the road team winning each time. It's $1 beer night at the Von Braun Center for the contest.

Playoffs in eyes of Vipers

It's been four years since the Tennessee Valley Vipers have tasted playoff football. But the drought could be over with one win on Friday night. Tennessee Valley hosts the Stockton Lightning Friday night at the Von Braun Center, with a win the Vipers would clinch their first playoff berth since 2004.
Stockton brings a 2-10 record to Huntsville and last won on May 17 against the Amarillo Dusters. Top receiver Justin Taplin leads the team with 94 yards receiving per game. He has nine touchdowns in just five games.
Newly acquired quarterback Andy Collins has played well in three contests this season. Collins has completed almost 59 percent of his passes including 12 touchdowns to just four interceptions.
Tennessee Valley is coming off a dominating performance of Quad City. The Vipers defense recorded six sacks against the Steamwheelers and the Vipers offense sailed along scoring 48 points in the win.
Quarterback Kevin Eakin has been stellar so far this season. With a 62.2 completion percentage and 35 touchdowns to just four interceptions, Eakin has led the Vipers to a 5-1 record as the starter.
The receiving corps is led by Maurice Brown. Brown has 26 touchdown catches in 11 games. Alonso Nix has been a favorite target as of late for Eakin. Nix caught two scores last week and three in the loss to Wilkes-Barre two weeks ago.
Defensively, the Vipers are being led up front by nose man Terrance Ford. Ford has recorded six sacks in the last three games, while Eric Scott has continued playing consistent every week. Scott now holds the Vipers single-season sack record and is just three sacks away from tying the career record of 18 sacks held by Eugene Phillips.
The Vipers have recorded 39 sacks so far this season, only 18 sacks away from the league record set last season by Rio Grande at 57.
The Vipers finish the final month of the season with three consecutive division tilts. Rubber games with South Georgia at home and Florida on the road, the Vipers have split the season series so far with both teams, follow a July 12 home game against the Daytona Beach Thunderbirds.
By winning out, the Vipers would secure the South division title. Three wins in the last four games would secure a first round playoff game at the VBC.
Playoff tickets are on sale, contact the Vipers front office to pre-order your seats!

Slow start, finish doom Vipers

It was not a pretty sight for the Tennessee Valley Vipers in the beginning and end last Saturday night against the number 3 Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers. Pioneers (8-2) quarterback Ryan Vena had yet another spectacular outing while his counterpart, Vipers QB Kevin Eakin had great numbers except in turnovers.
Two interceptions, one returned for a touchdown, was just the beginning of the problems that surrounded the Vipers (7-4). Pressure was heavy from the astounding Pioneers defensive line throughout the night and the offensive line protected Vena from anything the Vipers defensive line threw out, including Vipers co-single season sack record holder Eric Scott. Neither Scott nor Terrance Ford, RaJohn Myles or Rico Reese could even feel Vena all night.
The Pioneers scored on their first two possessions, putting the Vipers in a quick hole against the af2's leading offense. Alonzo Nix put the first points on the board for Tennessee Valley.
The second quarter began as the first, except backwards. Tennessee Valley scored back-to-back to tie the contest at 21. The two teams traded scores until halftime.
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton scored all fourteen points in the third quarter and led 48-35 when the fourth quarter began.
After scoring two consecutive touchdowns again, the Vipers led 49-48.
From there, Wilkes-Barre showed why they are one of the top teams in the league. The Pioneers scored four touchdowns unanswered to put the Vipers deep in the grave of the Wachovia Center. Eakin finished the night 29-of-44 for 351 yards and seven touchdowns.

Records abound in Vipers Win

WR Maurice Brown


Tennessee Valley scored it's seventh consecutive victory with a 64-48 win over Lexington last Friday night. The Vipers (7-3) recorded seven sacks and three safeties in the win. The three safeties ties an af2 record. Lexington (6-5) never got in sync offensively as the Vipers defense kept newly acquired quarterback Ryan Mitch scrambled throughout the game. Mitch threw for five scores and two picks in the loss. Tennessee Valley signal caller Kevin Eakin countered with six passing scores, four to Maurice Brown.
Brown has been exceptional lately for the Vipers. The former AFL receiver ranks in the af2 top ten in receptions and yards per game receiving.
Much to the surprise of Vipers fans, Henry "Freebird" Freeman suited back up for the defense. Freeman recorded an interception and led the team in tackles with 8.5 on the night.
Also, Terrance Ford showed his power early and often against the Lexington. Ford picked up four sacks alone and two of the three safeties.
Eric Scott continued his dominance of opposing offensive lines. Scott got to Mitch twice, had a pass break up, forced fumble and blocked extra point that resulted in a safety. Scott also became the Vipers single-season sack record holder. His 14 is just four shy of the Vipers career record held by Eugene Phillips.
Tennessee Valley travels to take on the league's most potent offense next week in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Pennsylvania.

Vipers Return Home to Face Horsemen

Vipers QB Kevin Eakin


Friday night's match up with the Lexington Horsemen is an extremely important game for a host of reasons. Lexington (6-3) comes into the game in a three way tie for the Midwest Division lead and a four-way tie for the fourth spot in the playoffs, the only wild card seed that will host the first round game of the playoffs.
Currently, the Vipers (6-3) hold the edge in the tie-breaker by way of strength of schedule.
Lexington is an expansion team in the af2, but not new to the indoor football world. The 2003 NIFL champions and UIF runner-up in 2005, the Horsemen have had success wherever they play. This season has been no different.
A major reason is the play of quarterback Eddie Eviston. Eviston, who was injured in last week's loss to Louisville has been stellar at times this season, throwing for 47 touchdowns to just 10 interceptions.
His favorite targets are Tavon McGee and Chad Spencer. Spencer was suspended for two games earlier this season, but has been a major target for Eviston. Spencer has caught 30 passes and 13 scores. McGee averages just under 81 yards per game and has caught 14 touchdown passes this season in just seven games.
Tennessee Valley is still riding a 6-game winning streak after winning decisively over Oklahoma City last week.
Quarterback Kevin Eakin has played exceptional since being given the reigns four weeks ago. Eakin boasts a 110.85 passer rating and has thrown 18 touchdowns to just two interceptions. And has rushed for two scores as well.
Maurice Brown has contributed as much as expected, last week Brown hauled in three scores in just the first half of play, and has 18 touchdown receptions on the season.
Defensively, the Vipers are among the league leaders in every category, giving up only 43.4 points per game. Eric Scott remains second in the league in sacks and tackles for loss.
Week 9 ADT Defensive Player of the Week RaJohn Myles has come on strong as of late, recovering two fumbles last week and returning one for a score.
In the defensive backfield, Demetrius Derico is fourth in the league with 8 picks on the year, two of which he has returned to pay dirt.
Friday night at the Von Braun Center, the Viper Pit must be loud and proud, because Huntsville can be proud of it's football team once again.

Myles Earns af2 Honor

Vipers linebacker RaJohn Myles has been awarded the af2's ADT Defensive Player of the Week award for his efforts against the Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz.
Myles recorded three tackles including two sacks. Along with a forced fumble, Myles recovered two and returned one 30 yards for a touchdown.
The UAB product has been a force all season for the Vipers. With 19.5 tackles 5.5 tackles for loss including 5.0 sacks, Myles is second on the team in sacks.
The Vipers return home Friday to take on the Lexington Horsemen in a key game with playoff seeding implications.