Coming off another disappointing performance by the Tennessee Valley Vipers offense and special teams, quarterback Kevin Eakin blames himself for the poor play as of late. "As the leader of this offense and one of the leaders on this team, I need to step up and make the plays that I need to make," he said. "I think if I do that, everything will start to roll."
Getting things rolling tonight against the Arkansas Twisters will be difficult.
"They've got a good team," head coach Dean Cokinos said. "They've got a veteran quarterback, good receivers, a solid defense and they're well-coached. We'll have to play our best game to win."
Twisters quarterback Kyle Rowley has been special since coming into the league in 2004. Last season, Rowley was the af2's offensive player of the year.
This season, Rowley has racked up 16 touchdowns and 747 yards through the air. He has only thrown two interceptions on the season as well, whereas Eakin has thrown five passes to opposing defenses.
Turnovers have been the difference in the season for Tennessee Valley. With a turnover ratio of -5, the Vipers must take care of the football to be successful.
Defensive back Desmond Foster hopes to be able to cut into that margin. He has an interception this season and leads the team in pass break ups and tackles.
With the possibility of Demetrius Derico out with an injury Foster will have to step up and play the middle defensive position.
The tough task of defending Twisters receiver Steve Bergeski tonight will go to Foster, most likely.
Bergeski has hauled in 28 passes from Rowley, but only one touchdown. The touchdowns have come to Rod Harper.
Harper is leading the Twisters with seven touchdown catches.
Defense for Tennessee Valley has been inconsistent so far this season. In last week's first half, the Vipers defense made two big stops, but the offense could not capitalize for the Vipers.
This week, the defense will be key for the Vipers, along with not giving Arkansas extra possessions to take control of the game.
With Rowley and Eakin under center for their respective teams, barring turnovers, this game could be very exciting.
Pit Prediction: UPSET ALERT
Tennessee Valley 58
Arkansas 57
Key Players:
Tennessee Valley - QB Kevin Eakin, WR Chris Bocage, DB Desmond Foster, WR/LB Bradly Chavez
Arkansas - QB Kyle Rowley, WR Steve Bergeski, WR Rod Harper
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Friday, April 10, 2009
Vipers-Wildcats Vie for Division Lead
Picking up where the series left off, the Tennessee Valley Vipers and the South Georgia Wildcats finds themselves in a familiar situation--competing for the lead in the af2's American Conference South Division.
Tennessee Valley is coming off an emotional and rather easy victory over Quad City, while both the Wildcats victories have come at the expense of another division foe, Florida.
South Georgia began the season with a sort of quarterback controversy, however, sickness forced Cecil Lester out of last week's win over the Firecats and rookie Darnell Kennedy played all four quarters and won the team's starting signal caller position.
Kennedy, a first year player out of Alabama State, is poised and athletic according to Vipers head coach Dean Cokinos.
"He will run," said Cokinos of Kennedy.
It's no secret that Wildcats coach Rodney Blackshear is a fan of running quarterbacks. Blackshear spent the last two seasons in Lubbock and put Robert Kent in charge of his offense there. Kent posted 186 rushing yards and 16 scores after bolting the pocket.
This season, Kennedy is leading the team in rushing with 82 yards on 14 attempts and five touchdowns.
His dual threat ability has earned Kennedy the most touchdowns in the league by any player at any position. His passer efficiency rating puts him at fourth in the league, and he's only thrown one interception.
Oddly enough, Kennedy's favorite target was Kent's favorite target just one season ago. Alvance Robinson came to South Georgia with Blackshear and has had great success. In just two games, Robinson has hauled in 18 catches for 261 yards and six scores.
Clenton Rafe and Antwone Savage round out the top receivers on the squad. Rafe has three touchdowns within his 15 catches and Savage has four scores on 18 catches.
Defensively, the Wildcats have put up four sacks already, Kenyon Scott leads the way with 1.5 sacks. South Georgia has only caused three turnovers, however.
Overall, the Wildcats will rely heavily on the strength of Kennedy. With his success comes South Georgia's success.
Attempting to ruin the undefeated start for the Wildcats and disrupting Kennedy's spectacular play will be a Tennessee Valley Vipers team led by Eric Scott.
Scott is in his third season of af2 football and is looking forward to the day he plays in the AFL. Scott signed a contract with the Orlando Predators, but was released when the AFL suspended play for 2009.
Scott and Marcus White lead the Vipers with 1.5 sacks each on the year, but the Vipers have recorded seven so far this season.
Quarterback Kevin Eakin will lead the Vipers offense once again. Eakin had a strong outing last week against Quad City after throwing an interception on the game's first drive.
Eakin's completion percentage is third in the league, with backup Tony Colston one spot ahead of him.
Spreading the wealth to receivers seems to be a big theme of the offense, as Michael Johnson, Chris Bocage, and Bradly Chavez have nearly equal stats. Chavez leads the team in touchdown catches with five. Bocage follows with four and Johnson has three.
Bocage showed his athletic ability last week, returning a kickoff 58 yards for a touchdown.
Special teams played a huge role in last week's win as the Vipers scored one touchdown on Bocage's return, but also recovered a fumble on the second half kick off in the end zone for a touchdown. Kicker Nick Hayes also nailed all ten extra points for the Vipers.
With the South Division on the line, both squads will be ready to lock horns and battle for the early division lead.
Pit Prediction:
Vipers 56
Wildcats 51
Key Players:
Vipers - QB Kevin Eakin, WR Chris Bocage, DE Eric Scott
Wildcats - QB Darnell Kennedy, WR Alvance Robinson, C Rico Ochoa, DB Quentin Burrell
Tennessee Valley is coming off an emotional and rather easy victory over Quad City, while both the Wildcats victories have come at the expense of another division foe, Florida.
South Georgia began the season with a sort of quarterback controversy, however, sickness forced Cecil Lester out of last week's win over the Firecats and rookie Darnell Kennedy played all four quarters and won the team's starting signal caller position.
Kennedy, a first year player out of Alabama State, is poised and athletic according to Vipers head coach Dean Cokinos.
"He will run," said Cokinos of Kennedy.
It's no secret that Wildcats coach Rodney Blackshear is a fan of running quarterbacks. Blackshear spent the last two seasons in Lubbock and put Robert Kent in charge of his offense there. Kent posted 186 rushing yards and 16 scores after bolting the pocket.
This season, Kennedy is leading the team in rushing with 82 yards on 14 attempts and five touchdowns.
His dual threat ability has earned Kennedy the most touchdowns in the league by any player at any position. His passer efficiency rating puts him at fourth in the league, and he's only thrown one interception.
Oddly enough, Kennedy's favorite target was Kent's favorite target just one season ago. Alvance Robinson came to South Georgia with Blackshear and has had great success. In just two games, Robinson has hauled in 18 catches for 261 yards and six scores.
Clenton Rafe and Antwone Savage round out the top receivers on the squad. Rafe has three touchdowns within his 15 catches and Savage has four scores on 18 catches.
Defensively, the Wildcats have put up four sacks already, Kenyon Scott leads the way with 1.5 sacks. South Georgia has only caused three turnovers, however.
Overall, the Wildcats will rely heavily on the strength of Kennedy. With his success comes South Georgia's success.
Attempting to ruin the undefeated start for the Wildcats and disrupting Kennedy's spectacular play will be a Tennessee Valley Vipers team led by Eric Scott.
Scott is in his third season of af2 football and is looking forward to the day he plays in the AFL. Scott signed a contract with the Orlando Predators, but was released when the AFL suspended play for 2009.
Scott and Marcus White lead the Vipers with 1.5 sacks each on the year, but the Vipers have recorded seven so far this season.
Quarterback Kevin Eakin will lead the Vipers offense once again. Eakin had a strong outing last week against Quad City after throwing an interception on the game's first drive.
Eakin's completion percentage is third in the league, with backup Tony Colston one spot ahead of him.
Spreading the wealth to receivers seems to be a big theme of the offense, as Michael Johnson, Chris Bocage, and Bradly Chavez have nearly equal stats. Chavez leads the team in touchdown catches with five. Bocage follows with four and Johnson has three.
Bocage showed his athletic ability last week, returning a kickoff 58 yards for a touchdown.
Special teams played a huge role in last week's win as the Vipers scored one touchdown on Bocage's return, but also recovered a fumble on the second half kick off in the end zone for a touchdown. Kicker Nick Hayes also nailed all ten extra points for the Vipers.
With the South Division on the line, both squads will be ready to lock horns and battle for the early division lead.
Pit Prediction:
Vipers 56
Wildcats 51
Key Players:
Vipers - QB Kevin Eakin, WR Chris Bocage, DE Eric Scott
Wildcats - QB Darnell Kennedy, WR Alvance Robinson, C Rico Ochoa, DB Quentin Burrell
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Vipers dismantle Steamwheelers
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.
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.
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.
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