Vipers take over first by beating Memphis, 43-33
May 2, 2004 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Tennessee Valley Raptors News Release
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. â The Tennessee Valley Vipers used their defense Saturday night to defeat the Memphis Xplorers 43-33 before an announced crowd of 5,084 at the Von Braun Center.
The victory moved the Vipers (3-1) into first place in the American Conference's Mid-South Division ahead of Memphis (2-2).
Tennessee Valley needed offensive/defensive lineman Andy Fuller â a former Auburn standout - bulling 11 yards into the end zone on an onside kick with 14 seconds left to seal the game.
Memphis had 252 yards of total offense, but five times the Xplorers drove inside the Tennessee Valley 15-yard line and only came away with three points. The Vipers intercepted Memphis three times, including defensive specialist Henry Freeman's 48-interception return for a touchdown with 8:18 remaining that gave the Vipers an insurmountable 31-17 lead.
Receiver/defensive back Marquis Floyd followed Freeman's interception with one of his own in the end zone to thwart the Xplorers' next drive.
"Our goal-line defense was great," said Vipers coach Kevin Guy, whose team travels to Arkansas next Saturday. "From top to bottom the defense played well. I couldn't have asked for a better defensive effort."
Former Mississippi State star Kevin Prentiss kept Memphis in the game with two 50-yard kickoff returns for touchdowns. His 47-yard touchdown reception made the final minute uncomfortable for the Vipers before Fuller ended the threat.
While the defense was stellar, the Viper offense struggled without suspended receivers Jerrian James and Michael Caraway tallying only 175 yards of total offense. Quarterback Bryan Snyder completed 16 of 33 passes for 172 yard and two touchdowns.
But relief did come in the form of former All-af2 selection Kenny Bailey, who re-signed with the team on Thursday. Bailey, playing defensive back and wide receiver, rushed for one touchdown and caught four passes for 43 yards. He also had five tackles for the Vipers.
Snyder's 12 yard touchdown pass and place kicker Alex Walls' two-point conversion pass to John Bradley on the game's opening series gave Tennessee Valley a lead it would not relinquish.
Offensive specialist Kyle Henderson had seven receptions for 73 yards and receiver/linebacker Ronney Daniels caught three passes for 45 yards and two touchdowns for Tennessee Valley.
Memphis quarterback Brian Jones completed 16 of 29 passes for 252 yards and a touchdown to go along with his three interceptions.
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