Tennessee Valley beats Pensacola in a nail-biter
June 1, 2002 - United Indoor Football Association (UIF)
Tennessee Valley Raptors News Release
A week after losing to Pensacola 51-38, the Tennessee Valley Vipers invited the Barracudas to the Von Braun Center here Saturday night and avenged the defeat with a 40-39 nail-biter in front of 5,375 fans.
The Vipers needed last-minute heroics to preserve the win, knocking down a Barracuda two-point conversion pass attempt with only 29 seconds left. The play topped off a wild contest that began with Tennessee Valley (7-1) trailing Pensacola (3-5) 14-0 at the end of the first quarter.
Barracuda quarterback Charlie Peterson threw touchdown passes of 24 and 29 yards to Jerrian James and Jack Walker to put Pensacola out front early.
The Vipers didn't scratch the scoreboard with the 13:08 mark of the second quarter on a 23-yard field goal by Todd Latourette. But the kick was the start of a 17-0 run in less than six minutes.
Pensacola's ensuing possession ended on a missed 64-yard field goal attempt that was returned 20 yards by Kelly Fields. Tennessee Valley only needed one play to score as quarterback Wes Counts hit Reggie Worthy â the game's Most Valuable Player, as well as the Ironman of the Game â for a 29-yard touchdown. Latourette's extra point kick cut Pensacola's lead to 14-10 with 8:57 left in the half.
The first dramatic game-turner came on the next play from scrimmage when Peterson attempted to avoid a sack by throwing the ball away as he fell to the ground. But the ball sailed high and into the oncoming arms of Viper defensive lineman Brad Jefferson, who rumbled 9 yards for a touchdown. Latourette's PAT gave the Vipers their first lead of the night at 17-14 with 7:24 remaining in the second quarter.
But Pensacola fought back, driving 45 yards in four plays and scoring on a 29-yard pass from Peterson to Walker. However, Dave Adams' point-after kick failed, and the Barracudas led 20-17 with 3:03 left in the half.
The Vipers then needed only 48 seconds to tie the game at 20-20 as Latourette booted a 24-yard field goal as the half expired. While the game would be tied later, the kick marked the last time in the game that the Vipers would trail.
Tennessee Valley opened the third quarter by controlling the clock for 5 minutes and 38 seconds, racking up seven plays. Worthy, who finished the game with 10 catches for 152 yards, then pulled in his second touchdown of night for a 9-yard score. Latourette added the extra point to give the Vipers a 27-20 lead with 9:22 left in the third quarter.
The teams then traded touchdowns â Pensacola with a 17-yard pass from Peterson to Walker and Tennessee Valley with a 1-yard quarterback sneak â and the third quarter ended with the Vipers ahead 34-27.
The Barracudas then came back to life. Fifty-three seconds into the final period, Peterson dropped a screen pass off to Kevin Sluder, who pounded 31 yards downfield to score. But a bobbled snap on the extra point cost Pensacola the chance to tie the game and instead the Vipers held a 34-33 lead.
The game remained at a one-point difference until the 4:04 mark when Counts hit Ronald Bonner in the end zone for a 12-yard pass and some Viper breathing room. However, Latourette missed the PAT, and the Vipers remained only seven points ahead at 40-33.
Pensacola held the ball for the next 3½ minutes, moving 44 yards in six plays. Peterson topped the drive with his sixth touchdown of the evening, this one a 13-yarder to Joseph Koroma. But the Barracudas decided to go for the win on the road, a move that backfired when Peterson's pass into the end zone fell to the turf.
The Vipers recovered the onside kick, and then ran three plays to drain the clock and take their fourth straight win at the Von Braun Center. The divisional win keeps Tennessee Valley in sole possession of first place in the South Division.
Tennessee Valley travels to Quad City on Saturday. Pensacola will host Tallahassee on the same night.
• Discuss this story on the United Indoor Football Association message board...
United Indoor Football Association Stories from June 1, 2002
- Tennessee Valley beats Pensacola in a nail-biter - Tennessee Valley Raptors
- 'Hounds Hold Off 'Ants Efforts - Tupelo FireAnts
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
