Vipers to host Birmingham in 2007 season opener
November 20, 2006 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Alabama Vipers News Release
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. - Tennessee Valley Vipers head coach Milt Theodosatos announced Monday that wide receiver/defensive back Travis Blanchard has re-signed with the team as it reloads to face a tough 2007 arenafootball2 schedule.
Tennessee Valley will open the season March 30 against the Birmingham Steeldogs at the Von Braun Center - the first of two early-season Friday night home dates.
Tennessee Valley then will face defending Southern Division champion Florida on April 14 at the VBC, visit the Firecats two weeks later, then host ArenaCup finalist Green Bay on May 4.
"Opening up with Birmingham at home is great for us and the fans - we really need to fill the place up,'' Theodosatos said. "We have a tough Florida team to deal with and we also go up to Everett (Wash.) which will be interesting. The schedule looks tough, but that's OK. Our attitude is that we'll play anybody, anywhere."
Theodosatos is especially pleased with the return of Blanchard, a former Ole Miss standout who led the 2006 squad with 47.5 tackles, averaged 19.5 yards on kickoff returns and was second with 1,208 all-purpose yards. The 5-foot-10, 185-pound Blanchard also caught 25 passes for 298 yards and eight touchdowns in 13 games, and had a pair of interceptions with one returned for a touchdown.
"Travis is a multi-dimensional player,'' Theodosatos said. "It was obvious to me last year in the six short games I was here that we had to get the ball in his hands because he wasn't being used. He's tough. He's a warrior and he can get the job done on both sides of the ball."
2007 Vipers Season Schedule (Home Games in Caps)
March 30 BIRMINGHAM 7:30 p.m.
April 14 FLORIDA 7:30 p.m.
April 21 South Georgia 6:30 p.m.
April 28 Florida 6:30 p.m.
May 4 GREEN BAY 7:30 p.m.
May 12 Cincinnati 6:30 p.m.
May 19 WILKES BARRE/SCRANTON 7:30 p.m.
May 26 Fort Wayne 6:00 p.m.
June 1 Quad City 7:30 p.m.
June 9 FLORIDA 7:30 p.m.
June 16 SOUTH GEORGIA 7:30 p.m.
June 30 Birmingham 7:00 p.m.
July 7 Everett (Wash.) 9:00 p.m.
July 14 FORT WAYNE 7:30 p.m.
July 21 MAHONING VALLEY 7:30 p.m.
July 28 Louisville 6:00 p.m.
Vipers tryout set for Dec. 10: Tennessee Valley will hold an open tryout Dec. 10 in the VBC's South Hall. There will be a 1 p.m. registration and a 2 p.m. start. There will be an early registration charge of $35 and a $40 fee the day of the event. For more information contact Theodosatos at 256-551-2387.
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