Vipers Trying to Build 2003 Juggernaut
December 13, 2002 - United Indoor Football Association (UIF)
Tennessee Valley Raptors News Release
Huntsville, AL - The Tennessee Valley Vipers are just three months away from reporting to training camp for the 2003 season and head coach Kevin Guy is assembling yet another team that should compete for an ArenaCup Championship.
The Vipers have already been assigned 13 players to the roster. They include one quarterback, two fullback/linebackers, two offensive/defensive lineman, two defensive specialists, five wide receivers and one kicker.
"We are just trying to get better every year," Viper head coach, Kevin Guy, said. "We can't take a step back or be the same, we have to raise the bar. Every position is going to be as competitive as possible. I believe competition brings out the best in every player."
Jason McKinley started 44 games at the University of Houston from 1997-2000 and completed 786-of-1,388 passes for 8,694 yards and 46 touchdowns. He was named the Conference USA Freshman of the Year in 1997 and was a member of the All-Freshman Team. He holds the NCAA record for most consecutive starts by a quarterback with 42.
Former Alabama A&M fullback and linebacker, Marvin Strong, should give the Vipers a lift on the offensive side with his running ability. He played in 22 games on offense and rushed for 480 yards on 101 carries and scored two touchdowns. He also caught four passes for 39 yards. He played in 10 games on defense and recorded 19 tackles, three tackles-for-loss for 10 yards and one pass break up. Derek Fuqua will be returning for his second season with the Vipers. He recorded 6.0 tackles, 3.5 sacks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery last season. He also rushed for two yards on one carry.
The Vipers also picked up North Alabama center Garrett Keith. He started the last 30 games of his UNA career. He played the 1999 season on the offensive and defensive line for the Lions. He made 11 tackles, recovered a fumble, he had one quarterback pressure and three tackles for loss of five yards. He was a second-team All-Gulf South Conference selection in 2000 and 2001 as a center. Joining Keith on the line will be former Bowie State defensive end, Jobei Gazhette.
Demetrius Patterson returns for his second season as a defensive specialist. He played in four games for the Vipers last season as a wide receiver/defensive back. He recorded 7.5 tackles and three-pass break ups and caught two passes for 22 yards. The Vipers were also assigned former Pensacola defensive specialist, Kenny Hill. He played in nine games for the Barracudas last season and recorded 53.0 tackles, 3.5 tackles-for-loss for 10 yards, 16 pass break ups and one forced fumble.
The biggest addition might be former Quad City Steamwheeler and Wichita Stealth two-way man, Xavier Patterson. In three seasons in af2, he has rushed for 63 yards on 27 carries and scored 12 touchdowns, caught 188 passes for 2,440 yards and 56 touchdowns, returned 22 missed field goals for 333 yards and returned 52 kickoffs for 1,074 yards and two touchdowns. He has recorded 97 tackles, 11 interceptions and 25 pass break ups on defense.
Former Augusta Stallions wide receiver/linebacker, Chris Johnson, will be joining the Vipers this season. He caught 57 passes for 823 yards and 27 touchdowns with Augusta last season. He recorded 51.0 tackles, one tackle for loss of three yards, one sack for six yards, two interceptions and four pass break ups. One interception was returned for a touchdown. Also assigned to the Vipers this week was former Mississippi State wide receiver Clarence Parker. He played in 22 games at Mississippi State in 2000 and 2001 and caught 18 passes for 256 yards. He caught 31 passes for 449 yards and four touchdowns as a sophomore at Copiah-Lincoln Community College.
Tavarius Davis and Michael James will also compete for skill positions. Davis had a standout career at Central Florida from 1997-2001. He finished his career with 116 receptions for 1,474 yards and nine touchdowns, including 47 receptions for 722 yards and five touchdowns as a senior. James played two years at Alabama in 2000 and 2001 after transferring from West Alabama where he played in 1997 and 1998. He caught three passes for 35 yards at Alabama and received the Ray Perkins Most Improved Player Award in 2000. He caught 33 passes for 898 yards and eight touchdowns while at West Alabama.
Former soccer player, Mark Lewis, was added to compete for the starting place kicker position left open by Todd Latourette.
"With the guys coming back from last year and the news guys we are bringing in, we should be able to develop good chemistry in camp and be ready for the 2003 season," Guy said.
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United Indoor Football Association Stories from December 13, 2002
- Vipers Trying to Build 2003 Juggernaut - Tennessee Valley Raptors
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