Steeldogs End Vipers Playoff Hopes
August 3, 2002 - United Indoor Football Association (UIF)
Tennessee Valley Raptors News Release
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. - The seventh time was the charm for the Birmingham Steeldogs.
Entering the first round of the af2 playoffs, Birmingham had faced the Tennessee Valley Vipers six times and lost six times. That changed here Saturday night at the Von Braun Center as the Steeldogs pounded the Vipers 65-51 in front of 3,771 fans.
The Vipers never led in the contest, and they trailed by as much as 26 points. Birmingham's defense forced three Viper turnovers - including an interception return for a touchdown - and scored a safety.
Birmingham improved to 12-5 on the year. Tennessee Valley ended its season at 13-4.
The game started ominously for the Vipers. Despite a 40-yard opening kickoff return by Kelly Fields, the Tennessee Valley offense was held on downs. Birmingham jumped quickly with a 39-yard touchdown strike from Montressa Kirby to Anthony Jordan.
The Vipers countered with a 25-yard field goal from Todd Latourette. Birmingham, however, pieced together a seven-play scoring drive that was topped by a 10-yard Larry Huntington run. With 4:24 left in the first quarter, the Steeldogs led 14-3. The Vipers, however, fought back with Jermaine Alfred to Kenny Bailey 19-yard touchdown pass, and ended the quarter trailing only 14-10.
Birmingham outscored Tennessee Valley 21-14 in the second quarter, with a 27-yard pass from Kirby to Herman Bell and Kirby touchdown runs of 8 and 1 yard. Tennessee Valley scored on two Alfred to Calvin Hall passes of 18 and 13 yards respectively. At the half, Birmingham led 35-24.
The Steeldogs dominated the third quarter, scoring 22 points while the Vipers managed only one touchdown.
Kirby hit William Mayes for a 9-yard touchdown pass, followed immediately by an intentional grounding call against Alfred in the end zone. The Vipers' only score followed when defensive specialist Kelly Snell picked off Kirby and dashed 11 yards for paydirt.
Birmingham scored back-to-back touchdowns the close the third period. The first was a 1-yard sneak by Kirby and the second a 6-yard interception return by Steeldog defensive lineman David Daniel. By the end of the third quarter, Birmingham led 57-31.
The Vipers came back to life in the final period, but it was a matter of too little too late. They scored a pair of unanswered touchdowns on a 3-yard pass from Alfred and a 6-yard strike to Reggie Worthy to pull to within 12 points.
But following a failed onside kick, Birmingham only needed two plays before Kirby slipped into the end zone. A successful two-point conversion gave the Steeldogs a 65-45 lead with 2:06 left in the game.
The Vipers managed a final score when Alfred hit Kelly Fields for a 17-yard touchdown. The two-point conversion failed.
United Indoor Football Association Stories from August 3, 2002
- Steeldogs End Vipers Playoff Hopes - Tennessee Valley Raptors
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