2008 ArenaCup Named af2's Top Game of All-Time
February 23, 2009 - arenafootball2 (af2) News Release
CHICAGO - The arenafootball2 league (af2) announced today that the 2008 ArenaCup Championship has been named the league's top game of all-time, as selected by a group of af2 head coaches past and present, members of the media and fans throughout the country. On August 25, 2008, the underdog Tennessee Valley Vipers defeated the Spokane Shock, 56-55, in overtime to claim their first league title. The dramatic victory came on the league's biggest stage in front of a record-crowd of 10,662 fans at Spokane Arena in Spokane, Wash.
"The voters sure got this one right," said af2 President Jerry Kurz. "The 2008 ArenaCup in Spokane had it all - a packed arena, high drama and two great teams going back and forth from start to finish. It truly was the best game in league history."
2008 ArenaCup Recap
Leading the Vipers (14-6) to the shocking victory was backup QB Tony Colston, who was pressed into duty for normal starter Kevin Eakin. Eakin injured his ankle on a 5-yard TD pass to WR Alonzo Nix on the very first drive of the game. Colston, who threw only four passes in two appearances during the regular season, threw seven touchdown passes on the night without an interception to earn Schutt Offensive Player of the Game honors. He finished with 20 completions on 30 attempts for 288 yards. After an intense four quarters of play that ended in a 48-48 tie, the Shock got the ball first and took a 55-48 lead on a Kelvin Dickens' 25-yard TD catch from QB Nick Davila. Colston and the Vipers then responded with a drive that culminated with a 24-yard Nix TD grab that brought the team within one point, 55-54. After a timeout to think things over, Tennessee Valley Head Coach Dean Cokinos decided to go for a two-point conversion attempt to decide the game. His decision paid off. As Colston dropped back to pass he couldn't find an open receiver and decided to tuck the ball and run for it. After eluding a Spokane defender at the 2-yard line, Colston dove into the end zone for the game-winning two-point conversion. Spokane, which finished its third af2 season at 18-2 overall, was paced by rookie QB Nick Davila. Davila set ArenaCup records for completions (35), passing yards (437) and touchdown passes (8). WR Raul Vijil's 166 yards receiving also set a new ArenaCup record. WR Kelvin Dickens' also had a strong outing in the loss with 13 grabs for 159 yards and four scores.
TOP 10 af2 GAMES OF ALL-TIME
1. August 25, 2008 - Tennessee Valley at Spokane - 2008 ArenaCup
2. August 10, 2001 - Richmond at Quad City - 2001 ArenaCup
3. August 25, 2007 - Tulsa vs. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton - 2007 ArenaCup
4. August 10, 2000 - Tennessee Valley at Quad City - 2000 ArenaCup
5. June 10, 2006 - Oklahoma City at Tulsa
6. August 12, 2006 - Bakersfield at Spokane
7. August 7, 2004 - Louisville at Quad City
8. July 15, 2005 - Green Bay at Albany
9. August 7, 2004 - Memphis at Florida
10. July 19, 2008 - Tulsa at Oklahoma City
Remaining af2 Top 10 Announcements
Tuesday, Feb. 24
Top 10 teams of all time release
Wednesday, Feb. 25
Top 10 head coaches of all time release
Thursday, Feb. 26
Top 10 ironmen of all time release
Friday, Feb. 27
Top 10 kick returners of all time release
Monday, March 2
Top 10 kickers of all time release
Tuesday, March 3
Top 10 linebackers of all time release
Wednesday, March 4
Top 10 fullbacks of all time release
Thursday, March 5
Top 10 offensive lineman release
Monday, March 9
Top 10 defensive lineman release
Tuesday, March 10
Top 10 defensive backs release
Wednesday, March 11
Top 10 wide receivers release
Thursday, March 12
Top 10 quarterbacks release
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