Vipers Outlast Mohegan, Advance in Playoffs
August 8, 2003 - United Indoor Football Association (UIF)
Tennessee Valley Raptors News Release
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. - Tennessee Valley's trek to the af2 championship game is one step closer after the Vipers rebounded from two straight losses to defeat the Mohegan Wolves 47-30 here Friday night in the second round of the playoffs.
The Wolves (11-6) wouldn't go quietly, twice rebounding from 17-point deficits in the first half to actually take a slim lead in the third quarter. But the Vipers (15-2) scored three unanswered touchdowns in the final 20 minutes of the game to secure the win in front of 4,299 fans. It was the first time in a month that the Vipers had won - after losing their last two regular season games and sitting out the first round of the playoffs with a bye.
Tennessee Valley benefited from outstanding performances from Jerrian James and Calvin Hall. James, a wide receiver/defensive back, caught one touchdown, rushed for another one and returned a kickoff 57 yards for a third score. Hall returned an interception 36 yards for a touchdown from his linebacker's spot, then caught a crucial 42-yard touchdown pass as a wide receiver. James was named the Player of the Game and the Ironman of the Game. Hall was selected the ADT Defensive Player of the Game.
The Vipers started strong, and appeared ready to deliver a message to the rest of the league. On the third play of the game, James pulled in a 17-yard pass from quarterback Matt Sauk for a touchdown. The Viper defense then held the Wolves to a 31-yard field goal by Zac Derr. Tennessee Valley followed by marching methodically down the field, topping the drive off with a Sauk-to-Xavier Patterson 9-yard touchdown. The extra-point kick failed, but the Vipers still led 13-3 at the end of the first quarter.
The second quarter started well for the Vipers, but it wouldn't last. Hall stepped in front of an errant pass from Wolves quarterback Greg Smith and raced 36 yards for the score. Mark Lewis' kick gave Tennessee Valley a 20-3 lead. The lead lasted for less than a minute. Mohegan return man Anthony Comer dashed 57 yards for a touchdown, cutting the Viper lead to 20-10.
Not to be outdone, James matched Comer's return, giving the Vipers a 27-10 with just less than 12 minutes left in the half.
The Wolves, however, didn't seem phased. Smith and offensive specialist Mel Long connected for three consecutive touchdown passes - 45- and 20-yarders in the closing minutes of the second quarter and another 20-yarder - to take a 30-27 lead with 11:18 left in the third period.
The Vipers finally exerted control with 5 minutes remaining in the third quarter. Reggie Worthy rushed for a 5-yard touchdown to give the Vipers a 34-30 advantage. The Wolves then managed to shorten the game, keeping the ball for 10 minutes on 14-play drive. But it was all for naught, as the Vipers held Mohegan to a field goal attempt. Derr missed the kick, and two plays later, Sauk connected with Hall for the 42-yard score.
After another long yet unfruitful drive that lasted more than 8 minutes, the Wolves turned the ball over on downs. Sauk completed a 26-yard pass to James. James then topped the evening off with a 2-yard touchdown run.
This Thursday, the Vipers will play the winner of the Macon-Albany game in the American Conference finals. Kickoff at the Von Braun Center is 7:30 p.m. The winner Thursday's content will advance to the af2 title game.
United Indoor Football Association Stories from August 8, 2003
- Vipers Outlast Mohegan, Advance in Playoffs - Tennessee Valley Raptors
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