Vipers Pummel Explorers, 81-31
July 20, 2002 - United Indoor Football Association (UIF)
Tennessee Valley Raptors News Release
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. â The Tennessee Valley Vipers' return to their home was a sweet one here Saturday night, pounding the Memphis Xploreres 81-31 in a record-setting performance.
The Vipers (13-2) broke two franchise records and tied another against the Xplorers (5-10), much to the delight of 5,889 fans at the Von Braun Center. Eighty-one points broke the team record for most points scored, topping the 74 points the Vipers racked up last year at Bossier City. Tennessee Valley kicker Todd Latourette booted 11 extra points, breaking Michael Proctor's record of nine against Tallahassee in 2000. The 11 touchdowns by the Vipers tied the mark set against Bossier City.
The newly acquired Rodney Brown led the Tennessee Valley offensive performance, catching 10 passes for 156 yards â including three touchdowns. He also returned a kickoff for a touchdown for the third straight week and rushed for a 1-yard score. He was named the Player of the Game.
Viper quarterback Jermaine Alfred had his best performance since taking over for the injured Wes Counts. He completed 22 of 31 passes for 291 yards and six touchdowns.
Andy Fuller, Reggie Worthy and Kenny Bailey led the stingy Viper defense. Fuller turned in three sacks, including two safeties. He was named the ADT Defensive Player of the Game. Worthy made six tackles, and on offense he caught five passes for 62 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for an 11-yard score. He was named Ironman of the Game. Bailey added two interceptions and five deflected passes.
The first five minutes of the game were competitive. Alfred hit Calvin Hall for a 24-yard scoring strike, and Memphis quarterback Tim Lester threw a 16-yard pass to Deumaine Reeder for a touchdown.
But after Alfred connected with Brown for a 17-yard touchdown the game quickly degenerated. One Memphis' next offensive play, Lester fumbled in the end zone, and Tracy Kendall recovered for the Vipers score. Latourette's kick gave Tennessee Valley a 21-7 lead with 4:30 left in the first quarter.
Lester answered with a 13-yard scoring pass to Carlos McNeary. The PAT failed, and the Vipers held a 21-13 advantage with just over a minute left in the opening period.
Memphis would never come any closer to the Vipers.
Tennessee Valley reeled off three straight touchdowns in the second quarter, as its defense held Memphis scoreless. Worthy caught touchdown passes of 36 and 3 yards. Brown added his 1-yard run. At the half, the Vipers held a commanding 42-13 lead.
The third quarter was equally impressive for the Vipers, as they scored 30 points to Memphis' 12. Alfred hit Brown on a 19-yard score, following by a Memphis touchdown when Lester tossed a 7-yard pass to Jesse Allen.
Brown pulled in a 30-yard Alfred pass for a touchdown. Again, on Memphis' first play to follow, Lester fumbled in the end zone â this one caused by Fuller. Viper linebacker Antonio Speed bounced on the loose ball for a touchdown. Latourette's kick gave the Vipers a 63-19 lead 3:58 left in the third quarter.
Memphis answered quickly on a 40-yard strike from Lester to McNeary. The Vipers then added two more scores in the final minute and a half of the third period: Brown's 55-yard kickoff return and Fuller's first safety of the evening. By the close of the quarter, the Vipers led 72-25.
The fourth quarter was close to a draw, as the Vipers begin to pull back. Worthy's 11-yard run and Fuller's second safety were Tennessee Valley's only points. Sandwiched in the middle of those scores was a 4-yard touchdown pass from Xplorer backup quarterback Kenton Evans to McNeary.
Tennessee Valley plays host to Macon on Saturday in its final regular season contest. Peoria will visit Memphis on the same day. Both games kick off at 7:30 p.m. CDT.
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United Indoor Football Association Stories from July 20, 2002
- Vipers Pummel Explorers, 81-31 - Tennessee Valley Raptors
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