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Sharks Fall to Vipers 44-36

May 9, 2009 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Corpus Christi Sharks News Release


Corpus Christi, TX - Corpus Christi failed to score on fourth down and goal from the Tennessee Valley four yard line with 3 seconds remaining in the 4th quarter. Gary Cooper was unable to connect with Nate Fricke who was tightly covered on the play. The last second defensive stop helped the defending Arena Cup Champion Vipers preserve a 44-36 victory over the Sharks at American Bank Center. Tennessee Valley improved to 5-2 while the Sharks fell to 1-5.

The Sharks drew first blood when Nick Gatto drilled a 30 yard field goal. Tennessee Valley responded taking a 7-3 lead on QB Kevin Eakin's 1 yard touchdown run. The Sharks answered quickly as Cooper connected with Brandon Hussey from 7 yards out. Hussey made a spectacular one handed grab on the play and was recognized by the media for hauling in "The Big Catch of the Game". The Sharks enjoyed a 10-7 lead after one period of play.

Corpus Christi took a 17-7 2nd quarter lead on Nate Fricke's 3 yard TD run. Just moments earlier, Sharks DB Dez Abrams forced and recovered a Vipers fumble at the Tennessee Valley 18 yard line.

Tennessee Valley's Nick Hayes converted a 19 yard field goal to narrow Corpus Christi's lead to 17-10 with 5:40 to play in the first half. On the ensuing possession, Vipers LB Eric Scott forced a Cooper fumble which was recovered by LB Tyrell Elston. The Vipers tied the score at 17 on Chris Bocage's 11 yard touchdown run.

The Sharks used trickery from two yards out to gain a 24-17 halftime lead. With seconds remaining in the half, Cooper pitched the ball to Fricke who swept left and then threw across his body to a wide open Jonathan Graham.

The Vipers dominated the 3rd quarter 14-0. Eakin found Juan Merritt in the right corner of the end zone to tie the score at 24. After the Vipers stopped the Sharks offense by forcing a 57 yard field goal attempt by Gatto that fell short, Eakin escaped a collapsing pocket to find Jeremy Grier with a 5 yard TD pass. Grier's touchdown put the Vipers ahead 31-24.

Cooper scrambled to his right and lobbed a 5 yard touchdown pass to Fricke to open 4th quarter scoring. The Sharks failed to convert the point after touchdown and trailed 31-30.

Vipers WR Bradly Chavez grabbed a one handed touchdown of his own on a 12 yard pass from Eakin. The point after touchdown gave the Vipers a 38-30 lead.

The Sharks answered quickly as Cooper threw a 30 yard rainbow touchdown pass to Hussey who made a nice over the shoulder catch. Corpus Christi attempted to tie the game at 38 but Cooper was tripped by one of his offensive lineman as he went back to pass on the 2 point conversation attempt.

Eakin gave the Vipers an 8 point lead as he again teamed up with Merritt, this time from 7 yards out. Tennessee Valley failed to convert the extra point which kept the Sharks within striking distance on their final drive.

The Sharks will visit Amarillo for a May 16 tilt with the Dusters before returning to American Bank Center on May 25 for a Memorial Day battle with the Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz. Kick off is scheduled for 3:05pm. For ticket information and more information call 361-882-9292 or visit www.ccsharks.com.



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