Vipers Reach 2,500 Season Tickets, Open Camp
Published on March 19, 2003 under United Indoor Football Association (UIF)
Tennessee Valley Raptors News Release
Huntsville, AL - The Tennessee Valley Vipers have reached 2,500 season tickets for the third consecutive year.
"We are looking forward to another year of record-setting crowds in the Viper Pit," Vipers General Manager, Joe Stroud said. "The fans of the Tennessee Valley are some of the rowdiest in af2 and we are going to make sure that they get their money's worth."
Season tickets are still available. Contact the Vipers front office at (256) 551-3240 for more information. Tickets are also available for the Vipers home opener on Friday, April 11 against the Quad City Steamwheelers. Tickets can be purchased at the Von Braun Center Box Office or by calling the Vipers front office.
VIPERS OPEN CAMP TODAY
The Vipers will open training camp this afternoon at 6:00 in the South Hall of the Von Braun Center. 30 players are in camp competing for 21 roster spots. Here is a breakdown by position of who is in camp:
Quarterbacks: Wes Counts and 2001 starter, Matt Sauk, will battle it out for the starting position. The two quarterbacks have led the Vipers to a combined 24-4 record.
Fullbacks/Linebackers: A solid group led by 2001 and 2002 member, Derek Fuqua. The Vipers also added former Carolina Cobra, Jimmy Freeman, and former Florida Firecat, Dedric Maffett. The unit also has former Alabama A&M fullback, Marvin Strong.
Wide Receiver/Defensive Backs: Reggie Worthy returns for his second season with the Vipers while the team also picked up a two-time All-af2 performer, Xavier Patterson. The group also has former Pensacola Barracuda all-purpose man in Jerrian James. Throw in former Alabama wide receiver, Michael James, and former TCU receiver, John Washington, and this group can be special. Any one of these guys can move to the offensive specialist position.
Wide Receiver/Linebacker: Ronald Bonner returns for his fourth season with the Vipers and Calvin Hall returns for his third. The Vipers also added former Auburn receiver, Ronney Daniels and former Central Florida receiver, Tavirus Davis.
Offensive/Defensive Line: For the first time in three years the Vipers do not have to worry about the center position. Four centers are in camp and all can play. David Sucura and Chris Bell both are returning and the team added for North Alabama center, Garrett Keith, and a member of the German Football League, Stephan Stursberg. Curtis Jeter returns at guard for the fourth year and a four-year starter at Alabama A&M, Ron Wilson, joins him there. Eugene Phillips returns for his third season at tight end and Wes Stephens returns for his second year with the Vipers. The team added former Tennessee and Johnson High School defensive end, Ed Butler.
Defensive Specialist: The biggest question mark of the 2003 season in the secondary where the team has to replace the ADT Defensive Player of the Year in Kelly Snell. Kenny Bailey returns for his second season as does Demetrius Patterson. The Vipers also added former Houston All-Conference corner, Bachari McGruder.
Kicker: Two strong-legged kickers in Nate White and Mark Lewis will battle to replace first team All-af2 kicker, Todd Latourette.
The Vipers will practice once today and two times on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday before settling into a practice routine next week. The Vipers must cut the roster to 21 by Monday, March 31. They open the season on April 5 against the Florida Firecats in Fort Myers, Florida before returning home on April 11 to host the Quad City Steamwheelers.
United Indoor Football Association Stories from March 19, 2003
- Vipers Reach 2,500 Season Tickets, Open Camp - Tennessee Valley Raptors
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