Copperheads Defense Gets Fever in Great Northwest
May 27, 2007 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Texas Copperheads News Release
KENNEWICK, WA - The Texas Copperheads took to the great northwest on their longest road trip of the season, 2,233 miles, a trip to face the best team in the west. The team played it's best offense of the season. After a relatively slow first half, both teams turned on their offense in the second half scoring a combined 86 points. However, it was the Fever who were able to outscore the Copperheads in the shoot-out. However, the Tri-Cities Fever took a 77-60 victory in front of a rowdy crowd of 4,388 at the Toyota Center.
Tri-Cities Fever Head Coach Tony Wells said pregame, "The Copperheads are number two in pass defense in the af2 but we are not overlooking anyone on our way to the championship, we don't care what they do, as long as we do our assignments, we can beat anyone."
The Copperheads began the game with newly acquired Quarterback Kenton Evans from Tennessee State and he led the team well through the first half. But a late hit to Evans with 5.4 seconds remaining until halftime would sideline him for the game with a knee to the back. The Fever would lead by a narrow 28-23 margin at the half.
Quarterback Tony Eckert would enter the game in the second half and turn in his best game of the season in a valiant effort for the Copperheads. Eckert threw for 193 yards and 4 touchdowns and completed 13 of 24 passes all in the second half.
Kicker Nick Gatto said, "Our offense has finally started to come together, we are one or two steps away from becoming a good af2 team."
Head Coach Bryan Blake said, "Both quarterbacks played well and offense played well, they have come around. Defensively we blew some coverages tonight, but I am so proud of the offense, if they continue to come together we will win more games this season,"
OL/DL Troy Dickey said, "Overall the game was good, good effort on both sides of the ball for Texas. The team played with great character, we are showing more discipline. We will watch film and get them next week."
Obrey Minor caught 6 passes for 114 yards and scored 4 touchdowns to the lead the Copperheads in receiving yardage. It was one of the first games this season that the offensive outplayed the defense from start to finish.
With the loss the Copperheads drop to 2-6 on the season, they return to the Berry Center on Saturday, June 2nd as they face the Bossier City/Shreveport Battlewings at 7 p.m.
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