It's been four years since the Tennessee Valley Vipers have tasted playoff football. But the drought could be over with one win on Friday night. Tennessee Valley hosts the Stockton Lightning Friday night at the Von Braun Center, with a win the Vipers would clinch their first playoff berth since 2004.
Stockton brings a 2-10 record to Huntsville and last won on May 17 against the Amarillo Dusters. Top receiver Justin Taplin leads the team with 94 yards receiving per game. He has nine touchdowns in just five games.
Newly acquired quarterback Andy Collins has played well in three contests this season. Collins has completed almost 59 percent of his passes including 12 touchdowns to just four interceptions.
Tennessee Valley is coming off a dominating performance of Quad City. The Vipers defense recorded six sacks against the Steamwheelers and the Vipers offense sailed along scoring 48 points in the win.
Quarterback Kevin Eakin has been stellar so far this season. With a 62.2 completion percentage and 35 touchdowns to just four interceptions, Eakin has led the Vipers to a 5-1 record as the starter.
The receiving corps is led by Maurice Brown. Brown has 26 touchdown catches in 11 games. Alonso Nix has been a favorite target as of late for Eakin. Nix caught two scores last week and three in the loss to Wilkes-Barre two weeks ago.
Defensively, the Vipers are being led up front by nose man Terrance Ford. Ford has recorded six sacks in the last three games, while Eric Scott has continued playing consistent every week. Scott now holds the Vipers single-season sack record and is just three sacks away from tying the career record of 18 sacks held by Eugene Phillips.
The Vipers have recorded 39 sacks so far this season, only 18 sacks away from the league record set last season by Rio Grande at 57.
The Vipers finish the final month of the season with three consecutive division tilts. Rubber games with South Georgia at home and Florida on the road, the Vipers have split the season series so far with both teams, follow a July 12 home game against the Daytona Beach Thunderbirds.
By winning out, the Vipers would secure the South division title. Three wins in the last four games would secure a first round playoff game at the VBC.
Playoff tickets are on sale, contact the Vipers front office to pre-order your seats!
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