Vipers Game Notes

May 21, 2002 - United Indoor Football Association (UIF)
Tennessee Valley Raptors News Release


QUICK FACTS:
Tennessee Valley Vipers (6-0) at Pensacola Barracudas (2-4)
Date: May 25, 2002
Kickoff: 7:00 cst
Site: Pensacola Civic Center (8,118)
Officials: W.C. Chick De Sensi (Referee), Mike Hagan (Umpire), Kevin McGrath (Head Linesman), Danny Doyle (Line Judge), Gary Wise (Back Judge)
Radio: WUMP 730 AM (Doug Franz & Art Clarkson)
TV: None
Series Record: Series tied 1-1
Last Meeting: Vipers won 68-49 in Pensacola on May 11, 2001.
Streaks: Vipers W6, Barracudas L2
Coaches: Kevin Guy (6-0, First Year)
Mike Buck (2-4, First Year)

THE STAKES: The Vipers are 6-0 on the season, while Pensacola has won two of their last four. This is a division game.

THE SERIES: This is the third meeting between the two teams. The series is tied at 1-1 and all games have been played in Pensacola.

THE IFs:

If TENNESSEE VALLEY defeats PENSACOLA, it would ...
· Give the Vipers a 2-1 series record against Pensacola.
· Give the Vipers their 12th consecutive win on the road.
· Give Kevin Guy his seventh win.
· Give the Vipers a 7-0 record on the season.
· Keep the Vipers in first place in the South Division.

HEAD COACHES: Vipers head coach, Kevin Guy, is 6-0 in his first season as head coach. He played six years in the Arena Football League with Minnesota, New Jersey and Orlando and served as the defensive coordinator at New Jersey in 2000 and Florida in 2001. He also served as the interim head coach in New Jersey at the end of the 2000 season. Pensacola head coach, Mike Buck, is 2-4 in his first season with the Barracudas. He took over at Norfolk last season and led the Nighthawks to a 7-5 record.

LAST SERIES MEETING: The Vipers beat the Barracudas 68-49 in Pensacola on May 11, 2001. Matt Sauk completed 28-44 passes for 317 yards and eight touchdowns in the win. Kelly Fields caught 13 passes for 109 yards and four touchdowns.

FAMILIAR FACES: Pensacola offensive/defensive lineman, Robert Smith, played in three games with the Vipers last season. Tennessee Valley kicker, Todd Latourette, is a native of Pensacola, where he graduated from Tate High School.

SERIES NOTABLES: The all-time series is tied a 1-1 with both games being played in Pensacola. The Barracudas won 66-59 in overtime in 2000.

VIPER INJURY REPORT:

Pos. Name Injury Status
FB/LB Robert Gordon Cervical Stain Out
WR/LB Ronald Bonner Left Knee Probable
OL/DL David Sucura Left Knee Questionable
OL/DL Derrick Shepard Ribs Probable

THIS WEEK'S QUOTES:

Kevin Guy, on team's 6-0 start: "We've been fortunate because we have had some tough injuries. It shows the character and the versatility of our guys to be able to adjust and not miss a beat."

Kenny Bailey, on not allowing a touchdown pass to Birmingham: "Coach Guy told us that is we can shut down the receivers, then we shut down their offense. They came in as one of the best passing teams' in the league and they did not throw for a touchdown against us."

DROPBACK: The Vipers beat the Birmingham Steeldogs 45-20 in Huntsville. The Steeldogs held the Vipers to just 106 total yards, but Kelly Fields finished with 133 yards in returns. Todd Latourette broke a Viper record with a 58-yard field goal.

FORWARD MOTION: The Vipers will host the Barracudas next weekend at the VBC. Kickoff is set for 7:30.

RECENT ROSTER MOVES (most recent first):
Date Action Player
5/15 Assigned Derek Fuqua FB/LB

TEAM NOTES/TRENDS:

Arena Football Experience: Eight members of the Vipers roster are rookies in af2, however, they all have experience in the Arena Football League. Kenny Bailey, Chris Bell, Ed Howard, Todd Latourette, Derrick Shepard, Kelly Snell, Antonio Speed and David Sucura all have either played in the AFL or been in camp with a team.

Fields reaches 300: Offensive Specialist, Kelly Fields, reached the 300-career reception mark two weeks ago at Memphis. He now has 304 receptions in his career for 2,168 yards and 59 touchdowns.

Interception Record Pace: The Vipers are on pace to record 45 interceptions this season. They have 15 through six games. The Viper record is 29 set in 2000 and the league record is 36 set by the Quad City Steamwheelers in 2001.

Offensive Line: The Vipers offensive line gave up just six sacks last season. Through six games the group has already given up 11.

"Playmaker": Over the past two seasons, Andy Fuller has lived up to his "Playmaker" nickname. He has now caught 32 passes, 19 for touchdowns. He also has an interception return for a touchdown. He had two touchdown receptions last week against Birmingham.

Count on Wes: Quarterback, Wes Counts, continues to improve with every game. The rookie quarterback has completed 104-164 passes for 1,173 yards and 18 touchdowns. He has also rushed for six touchdowns.

We're Not Worthy: Tennessee Valley wide receiver/defensive back, Reggie Worthy, rewrote the Viper record book at Memphis. He set a team record for yards rushing in a game (49) and set the record for touchdowns scored in a game (6). He was named the af2 Offensive Player of the Week.

Dynamic Duo: Viper defensive specialists, Kelly Snell and Kenny Bailey are living up to their position. The two have combined for 58 tackles, 13 interceptions and 15-pass break ups. Snell has intercepted a pass in all six Viper games and leads the af2 with eight. Bailey set a Viper record with three interceptions at Memphis and is tied for second in af2 with five. Snell's six consecutive games with an interception is an af2 record.

Road Sweet Road: With the win over Memphis two weeks ago, the Vipers have won 11 consecutive games on the road, the longest current streak in the af2. It is also the longest road-winning streak ever in the af2.

Rushing Touchdowns: The Vipers are tied with Bossier City with the most rushing touchdowns with 22. The Viper record in 28 set last season and the af2 record is 44 set by Baton Rouge last season.

Vipers in the Red Zone: The Vipers are second in af2 in red zone scoring, converting 86.2% of their chances. Out of 37 chances the Vipers have 30 touchdowns and two field goals. Leading the Turnover Battle: The second in the af2 in turnover margin at +10. The Vipers have forced 15 turnovers while only committing five. All 15 turnovers have been interceptions. The Vipers have yet to recover a fumble.

Kicking problem solved: The Vipers made three field goals last season, Todd Latourette has made seven through the first six games this season, including at least one in every game, a 47-yarder at Macon and a game clinching 24-yarder at Memphis. He also set a Viper record with a 58-yarder against Birmingham

PLAYERS/MATCHUPS TO WATCH:

Vipers defense vs Barracuda QB Charles Peterson: Peterson has completed 47-90 passes for 600 yards and 12 touchdowns in only two games for the Barracudas. The Vipers lead the af2 in pass defense rating at 54.2.

KEY DATES IN VIPER HISTORY:

March 31, 2000 – Vipers defeat the Birmingham Steeldogs 59-18 in the first ever af2 game.

April 7, 2000 – Vipers defeat the Norfolk Nighthawks 48-15 in their first home game

August 1, 2000 – Vipers defeat the Tulsa Talons 49-28 in their first ever playoff game

August 5, 2000- Vipers go on the road and defeat the Augusta Stallions 47-40 in the af2 semifinals.

August 10, 2000- Vipers fall 68-59 to the Quad City Steamwheelers in the inaugural ArenaCup

August 4, 2001- Vipers fall 51-50 in overtime to the Richmond Speed the af2 semifinals.



United Indoor Football Association Stories from May 21, 2002


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