Vipers win in OT 56-55
Published on August 26, 2008 under arenafootball2 (af2)
Spokane Shock News Release
August 25, 2008: Spokane, WA: It wasn't supposed to happen this way. As the back-up QB, Tony Colston was not supposed to play tonight. The heavily favored top-seeded Shock were not supposed to lose in front of their sold-out crowd. But that's why you play the game - and that's why the Tennessee Valley Vipers defeated the Spokane Shock 56-55 and were crowned the 2008 ArenaCup Champions.
"We knew we had to play well to beat them," Head Coach Adam Shackleford explained. "Tennessee Valley have been road warriors all year - they have won in some tough places. We knew we had to play well but we didn't play well enough to win; my hats off to Tennessee Valley."
Starting QB Kevin Eakin marched the Vipers down the field for the first score of the game on a 5-yard pass to WR Alonzo Nix early in the first quarter. But after completing the pass, Eakin hobbled off the field with a sprained ankle and did not return to action. Enter back-up QB Tony Colston.
After playing in only three games all season, Vipers Head Coach Dean Cokinos had to call on Colston to lead his team to the Championship. Colston, who was selected as the Schutt's Offensive Player of the game, completed 67% of his passes for 288 yards with seven touchdown passes. But these numbers are not what made the difference - it was the two yards that he earned on the ground that made the difference.
After 60 minutes of regulation play, the game was sent into overtime for the first time in ArenaCup history. The Shock won the coin toss and elected to receive opening kick. Shock QB Nick Davila, who set several Arena Cup records - including most passing touchdowns (7), marched his offense down the field and connected with WR Kelvin Dickens for a 25-yard TD.
On the ensuing kickoff, Colston connected with Nix for his fourth touchdown of the game. With the Vipers down by one, 55-54, Cokinos elected to go for a two point conversion to win it. Colston stepped back in the pocket and when he couldn't find an open receiver, he dove into the end zone converting the two-point attempt and in the process accumulated his only two yards rushing of the game.
After an 18 win season, including 15 in the regular season - the most in team history, Shackleford is all ready looking forward for another chance to return to the Championship.
"We've proven that we have a model and a philosophy that works. When you win 18-games, you are not doing the wrong things. We just need to go back, take some well-deserved time off, and get back to work," Shackleford said. "Now, we just need to help these guys get up to the next level; we're proud of them."
arenafootball2 Stories from August 26, 2008
- Vipers win in OT 56-55 - Spokane Shock
- Tennessee VALLEY Defeats Spokane In Overtime To Win 2008 Arenacup, 56-55 - af2
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