Friday night playoff matchup
Published on August 7, 2003 under arenafootball2 (af2) News Release
MOHEGAN WOLVES (11-6) AT TENNESSEE VALLEY VIPERS (14-2)
FRIDAY, AUGUST 8, 2003 - VON BRAUN CENTER (6,624) 8:30 P.M. ET
Fresh off their upset of the Cape Fear Wildcats, the Mohegan Wolves look to knock off another powerhouse team as they head to Huntsville to clash with the Vipers. The Vipers are the top seed in the American Conference and enjoyed a bye during the First Round last week. After starting the season 14-0, the Vipers currently ride a two-game losing streak. The Vipers have not lost three games in a row since June of 2000. Tennessee Valley is 3-3 all-time in the postseason, having dropped two of its last three playoff games including last year's First Round exit. They've been in the postseason each season of existence, with one ArenaCup appearance back in 2000. The matchup of the Wolves and Vipers pits one of the league's best offenses against the best defense. Tennessee Valley's 52.8 points per game scoring average ranked third in the league during the regular season, while Mohegan's 38.7 points against average was the best in af2 this season. MATT SAUK guides the Vipers offense and has thrown 84 touchdowns this season, while GREG SMITH takes the snaps for Mohegan and has 35 touchdowns to his credit in 11 games under center. The Wolves' MEL LONG has caught 29 touchdowns this season and lit up Cape Fear's secondary for 148 yards and four touchdowns last week. Both teams feature sack specialists as the Vipers' WES STEPHENS finished the regular season tied for second in af2 with Mohegan's CHARLIE COOK with 11.5 sacks. Cook added two more last week in the Wolves win over Cape Fear. The Wolves have never faced a team from the South division, while the Vipers are playing a Northeast team for the first time in history. The winner of this semifinal matchup faces the winner of the Macon-Albany game, which will be played on Saturday.
CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS SCHEDULE
Friday, August 8
Mohegan at Tennessee Valley 8:30 p.m.
Saturday, August 9
Macon at Albany 7:30 p.m.
Arkansas at Quad City 8:30 p.m.
Hawaii at Tulsa 8:30 p.m.
All times Eastern.
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