2010 Alabama Vipers season
Encyclopedia
The 2010
Alabama Vipers season is the 10th season for the franchise, but the first under their current name, as well as the first in the Arena Football League
. The team is coached by Dean Cokinos and will play their home games at Von Braun Center
. The Vipers failed to make the playoffs after posting a 7–9 record and finishing 5th in the American Conference.
. Their final regular season game was at home in Week 18 against the Blaze
on July 31.
All times are EDT
threw for 288 yards, but only 2 touchdowns. Dan Alexander had 5 touchdowns on 10 carries.
Week 2: vs. Jacksonville Sharks
After giving up the first touchdown on the 2nd half and at that point trailing by 14 points, the Vipers scored the game's next 5 touchdowns to take a 56–35 4th quarter lead. The 21 point cushion held, as the Vipers went on to win 63–49 for the team's first victory of the season. Dan Alexander led the team in rushing again, with 40 yards and 4 touchdowns. Quarterback Kevin Eakin
threw for 244 yards and also had 4 touchdowns.
Week 3: at Utah Blaze
The game featured many lead changes and both teams matched touchdown for touchdown almost all night, but it was the Vipers who came out with the win, improving to 2–1 on the season. Leading by only 3 points at the start of the 4th quarter, Alabama's defense kept the Blaze out of the end zone until the game was all but over, while the offense was able to build a 17-point lead. Kevin Eakin
threw for 375 yards and 5 touchdowns, and Larry Shipp led all receivers with 199 yards and 4 touchdowns. Dan Alexander rushed for 4 touchdowns in the win.
Week 5: vs. Milwaukee Iron
The Vipers won their third straight game and handed the Iron their first loss of the season with a 75–67 win. It was back and forth all night, with Milwaukee leading at the half with a 7-yard passing touchdown with a few seconds left in a high scoring 2nd quarter. In the 3rd quarter, the Vipers took a 54–53 lead on a Brian Jackson field goal from 8 yards out. Their lead would carry into the 4th quarter, when Alabama took control of the game with a pair of touchdown passes by Kevin Eakin
. Larry Shipp had a 48-yard rushing touchdown with just over a minute left. The Iron scored a touchdown with 39 seconds remaining to cut Alabama's lead to 8 points, but the Vipers recovered the ensuing onside kick and ran the clock out for the win. Eakin finished with 221 yards and 7 touchdowns. C.J. Johnson was the leading receiver with 91 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Week 6: at Tulsa Talons
The Vipers' 3-game winning streak was snapped after coming up short against the Talons. Alabama led at halftime 28–13, but by the end of the 3rd quarter, the game was tied 42–42. The Vipers did not score in the 4th quarter until there was less than a minute remaining. By that time, they had allowed two Tulsa touchdowns and a safety to fall behind 56–42 before Larry Shipp's 22-yard touchdown reception. Tulsa found the end zone again on their ensuing drive to make it a 14-point game again. Backup quarterback Tony Colston answered by running for a touchdown from 10 yards out. Now only down 62–56, the Vipers attempted an onside kick but did not recover it. The Talons took possession and ran out the clock for the win.
Starting quarterback Kevin Eakin
threw for 281 yards and 3 touchdowns, but had to leave the game in the 4th quarter after suffering a sprained right ankle. Eakin had a similar injury in ArenaCup IX
. Shipp's and Michael Johnson's receiving stats were almost identical. Shipp caught 8 passes for 119 yards and 2 touchdowns, while Johnson caught 8 passes for 120 yards and just a single touchdown.
Week 7: vs. Orlando Predators
Week 9: at Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz
Week 10: at Iowa Barnstormers
Week 11: vs. Tampa Bay Storm
Week 12: vs. Dallas Vigilantes
Week 14: at Jacksonville Sharks
Week 15: at Orlando Predators
Week 16: vs. Tulsa Talons
Week 17: at Tampa Bay Storm
Week 18: vs. Utah Blaze
2010 Arena Football League season
The 2010 Arena Football League season was the twenty-third season in the history of the league. The regular season began on April 2, 2010 and ended on July 31...
Alabama Vipers season is the 10th season for the franchise, but the first under their current name, as well as the first in the Arena Football League
Arena Football League
The Arena Football League is the highest level of professional indoor American football in the United States. It is currently the second longest running professional football league in the United States, after the National Football League. It was founded in 1987 by Jim Foster...
. The team is coached by Dean Cokinos and will play their home games at Von Braun Center
Von Braun Center
The Von Braun Center , known as the Von Braun Civic Center until 1997, is a multi-purpose indoor arena, meeting, and performing arts complex, with a maximum arena seating capacity of 10,000, located in Huntsville, Alabama...
. The Vipers failed to make the playoffs after posting a 7–9 record and finishing 5th in the American Conference.
Regular season schedule
The first game for the Vipers was on April 3 on the road against the Battle Wings. Their first home game will be a week later against the SharksJacksonville Sharks
The Jacksonville Sharks were a professional American football team based in Jacksonville, Florida. They competed for part of the 1974 season in the World Football League, a failed attempt to launch a major professional football league in the United States in competition with the National Football...
. Their final regular season game was at home in Week 18 against the Blaze
Utah Blaze
The Utah Blaze is a professional arena football team based in Salt Lake City, Utah and competes in the West division of the Arena Football League. Home games are played at the EnergySolutions Arena.-The original Utah Blaze :...
on July 31.
| Week | Day | Date | Kickoff | Opponent | Results | Location | Report | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Score | Record | ||||||||
| 1 | Saturday | April 3 | 8:05 pm | at Bossier–Shreveport Battle Wings 2010 Bossier–Shreveport Battle Wings season The 2010 Bossier–Shreveport Battle Wings season was the 9th season for the franchise, and the first in the Arena Football League, coming from the AF2, which dissolved following the 2009 season. The team was coached by Jon Norris and played their home games at CenturyTel Center... |
L 48–54 | 0–1 | CenturyTel Center CenturyTel Center The CenturyLink Center is a 14,000-seat multi-purpose arena, in Bossier City, Louisiana... |
http://www.arenafootball.com/news/index.html?article_id=56 | |
| 2 | Friday | April 9 | 8:30 pm | Jacksonville Sharks 2010 Jacksonville Sharks season The 2010 Jacksonville Sharks season was the inaugural season for the franchise in the Arena Football League. The team was coached by Les Moss and played their home games at Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena. The Sharks put together a 12–4 record, winning the South division and was also the top... |
W 63–49 | 1–1 | Von Braun Center Von Braun Center The Von Braun Center , known as the Von Braun Civic Center until 1997, is a multi-purpose indoor arena, meeting, and performing arts complex, with a maximum arena seating capacity of 10,000, located in Huntsville, Alabama... |
http://www.arenafootball.com/news/index.html?article_id=70 | |
| 3 | Saturday | April 17 | 9:05 pm | at Utah Blaze 2010 Utah Blaze season The 2010 Utah Blaze season is the 4th season for the franchise in the Arena Football League. The team was coached by Ernesto Purnsley, who was fired on June 1, 2010, with Ron James named as his replacement. Home games are played at the Maverik Center, which was known as the "E Center" prior to... |
W 63–54 | 2–1 | E Center E Center The Maverik Center, originally known as the E Center, is a 10,100 seat multi-purpose arena located in West Valley City, Utah, United States. Construction on the arena started in 1996 and was completed in time to hold its first event on September 22, 1997... |
http://www.arenafootball.com/news/index.html?article_id=86 | |
| 4 | Bye | ||||||||
| 5 | Saturday | May 1 | 8:30 pm | Milwaukee Iron 2010 Milwaukee Iron season The 2010 Milwaukee Iron season was the second season for the franchise, and the first in the Arena Football League, coming from the AF2, which dissolved following the 2009 season. The team was coached by Bob Landsee and played their home games at Bradley Center. For the opening round of the... |
W 75–67 | 3–1 | Von Braun Center Von Braun Center The Von Braun Center , known as the Von Braun Civic Center until 1997, is a multi-purpose indoor arena, meeting, and performing arts complex, with a maximum arena seating capacity of 10,000, located in Huntsville, Alabama... |
http://alabamavipers.com/news/index.html?article_id=24 | |
| 6 | Saturday | May 8 | 8:00 pm | at Tulsa Talons 2010 Tulsa Talons season The 2010 Tulsa Talons season was the 10th season for the franchise, and the first in the Arena Football League, coming from the AF2, which dissolved following the 2009 season. The team was coached by Mitch Allner and played their home games at BOK Center... |
L 56–62 | 3–2 | BOK Center BOK Center The BOK Center, or Bank of Oklahoma Center, is a 19,100-seat multi-purpose arena and a primary indoor sports and event venue in Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States. Designed to accommodate arena football, hockey, basketball, concerts, and similar events, the facility was built at a cost of $178 million... |
http://alabamavipers.com/news/index.html?article_id=27 | |
| 7 | Saturday | May 15 | 8:30 pm | Orlando Predators 2010 Orlando Predators season The 2010 Orlando Predators season was the 19th season for the franchise in the Arena Football League. The team was coached by Pat O'Hara and played their home games at Amway Arena. The Predators clinched a playoff berth for the 18th consecutive season by finishing fourth in the American Conference... |
L 31–48 | 3–3 | Von Braun Center Von Braun Center The Von Braun Center , known as the Von Braun Civic Center until 1997, is a multi-purpose indoor arena, meeting, and performing arts complex, with a maximum arena seating capacity of 10,000, located in Huntsville, Alabama... |
http://alabamavipers.com/news/index.html?article_id=29 | |
| 8 | Saturday | May 22 | 8:30 pm | Bossier–Shreveport Battle Wings 2010 Bossier–Shreveport Battle Wings season The 2010 Bossier–Shreveport Battle Wings season was the 9th season for the franchise, and the first in the Arena Football League, coming from the AF2, which dissolved following the 2009 season. The team was coached by Jon Norris and played their home games at CenturyTel Center... |
W 56–19 | 4–3 | Von Braun Center Von Braun Center The Von Braun Center , known as the Von Braun Civic Center until 1997, is a multi-purpose indoor arena, meeting, and performing arts complex, with a maximum arena seating capacity of 10,000, located in Huntsville, Alabama... |
http://alabamavipers.com/news/index.html?article_id=32 | |
| 9 | Friday | May 28 | 8:05 pm | at Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz 2010 Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz season The 2010 Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz season is the 7th season for the franchise, and the first in the Arena Football League, coming from the AF2, which dissolved following the 2009 season. The team was coached by Sparky McEwen and played their home games at the Cox Convention Center... |
L 39–65 | 4–4 | Cox Convention Center Cox Convention Center The Cox Business Services Convention Center is a multi-purpose complex, located in downtown Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.... |
http://alabamavipers.com/news/index.html?article_id=35 | |
| 10 | Saturday | June 5 | 8:05 pm | at Iowa Barnstormers 2010 Iowa Barnstormers season The 2010 Iowa Barnstormers season was the 10th season for the franchise, and the sixth in the Arena Football League, after three total seasons from 2001–2009 in the AF2, which dissolved following the 2009 season. The team was coached by John Gregory and played their home games at Wells Fargo Arena... |
W 45–44 | 5–4 | Wells Fargo Arena Wells Fargo Arena (Des Moines) Wells Fargo Arena is a 16,980-seat multi-purpose arena in Des Moines, Iowa, USA. Part of the Iowa Events Center, the arena opened in 2005, at a cost of $99 million.... |
http://alabamavipers.com/news/index.html?article_id=36 | |
| 11 | Saturday | June 12 | 8:30 pm | Tampa Bay Storm 2010 Tampa Bay Storm season The 2010 Tampa Bay Storm season was the 23rd season for the franchise in the Arena Football League. The team was coached by Tim Marcum and played their home games at the St. Pete Times Forum.-Regular season schedule:... |
L 55–61 | 5–5 | Von Braun Center Von Braun Center The Von Braun Center , known as the Von Braun Civic Center until 1997, is a multi-purpose indoor arena, meeting, and performing arts complex, with a maximum arena seating capacity of 10,000, located in Huntsville, Alabama... |
http://alabamavipers.com/news/index.html?article_id=41 | |
| 12 | Saturday | June 19 | 8:30 pm | Dallas Vigilantes 2010 Dallas Vigilantes season The 2010 Dallas Vigilantes season was the inaugural season for the franchise in the Arena Football League. With many players of the old Desperados team that put up a 15–1 record in recent years returning, Dallas fans had high hopes for the Vigilantes carrying on with the Desperados' success... |
W 55–52 | 6–5 | Von Braun Center Von Braun Center The Von Braun Center , known as the Von Braun Civic Center until 1997, is a multi-purpose indoor arena, meeting, and performing arts complex, with a maximum arena seating capacity of 10,000, located in Huntsville, Alabama... |
http://alabamavipers.com/news/index.html?article_id=43 | |
| 13 | Bye | ||||||||
| 14 | Saturday | July 3 | 7:05 pm | at Jacksonville Sharks 2010 Jacksonville Sharks season The 2010 Jacksonville Sharks season was the inaugural season for the franchise in the Arena Football League. The team was coached by Les Moss and played their home games at Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena. The Sharks put together a 12–4 record, winning the South division and was also the top... |
L 47–62 | 6–6 | Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena The Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena is a 15,000 seat multi-purpose arena in Jacksonville, Florida. It was built in 2003 as part of Mayor John Delaney's Better Jacksonville Plan to replace the outdated Jacksonville Memorial Coliseum.... |
http://alabamavipers.com/news/index.html?article_id=48 | |
| 15 | Saturday | July 10 | 7:30 pm | at Orlando Predators 2010 Orlando Predators season The 2010 Orlando Predators season was the 19th season for the franchise in the Arena Football League. The team was coached by Pat O'Hara and played their home games at Amway Arena. The Predators clinched a playoff berth for the 18th consecutive season by finishing fourth in the American Conference... |
L 34–45 | 6–7 | Amway Arena | http://alabamavipers.com/news/index.html?article_id=53 | |
| 16 | Saturday | July 17 | 8:30 pm | Tulsa Talons 2010 Tulsa Talons season The 2010 Tulsa Talons season was the 10th season for the franchise, and the first in the Arena Football League, coming from the AF2, which dissolved following the 2009 season. The team was coached by Mitch Allner and played their home games at BOK Center... |
L 41–68 | 6–8 | Von Braun Center Von Braun Center The Von Braun Center , known as the Von Braun Civic Center until 1997, is a multi-purpose indoor arena, meeting, and performing arts complex, with a maximum arena seating capacity of 10,000, located in Huntsville, Alabama... |
http://alabamavipers.com/news/index.html?article_id=56 | |
| 17 | Saturday | July 24 | 7:30 pm | at Tampa Bay Storm 2010 Tampa Bay Storm season The 2010 Tampa Bay Storm season was the 23rd season for the franchise in the Arena Football League. The team was coached by Tim Marcum and played their home games at the St. Pete Times Forum.-Regular season schedule:... |
L 29–53 | 6–9 | St. Pete Times Forum St. Pete Times Forum The St. Pete Times Forum is an arena in Tampa, Florida, that has been used for ice hockey, basketball, and arena football games, as well as concerts.... |
http://alabamavipers.com/news/index.html?article_id=59 | |
| 18 | Saturday | July 31 | 8:30 pm | Utah Blaze 2010 Utah Blaze season The 2010 Utah Blaze season is the 4th season for the franchise in the Arena Football League. The team was coached by Ernesto Purnsley, who was fired on June 1, 2010, with Ron James named as his replacement. Home games are played at the Maverik Center, which was known as the "E Center" prior to... |
W 68–64 | 7–9 | Von Braun Center Von Braun Center The Von Braun Center , known as the Von Braun Civic Center until 1997, is a multi-purpose indoor arena, meeting, and performing arts complex, with a maximum arena seating capacity of 10,000, located in Huntsville, Alabama... |
http://alabamavipers.com/news/index.html?article_id=60 | |
All times are EDT
Week 1: at Bossier–Shreveport Battle Wings
The Vipers lost their season opener in a close game. On the game's final play, needing a touchdown to tie, Alabama receiver Michael Johnson caught a pass, faked a lateral, and ran down the sideline. Having been tackled into the walls that border the sideline, he handed the ball to a teammate who ran into the end zone. The officials signaled a touchdown, but after a brief discussion amongst themselves, they overturned the original ruling because a player who is forced into the wall is considered out of bounds. Johnson was ruled down at the 5-yard line, but because there was no time remaining on the clock, the Vipers could not run another play, resulting in a 54–48 loss. Quarterback Kevin EakinKevin Eakin
Kevin Eakin is an American football quarterback for the Alabama Vipers of the Arena Football League. He was signed by the New York Jets of the National Football League as a street free agent in 2005...
threw for 288 yards, but only 2 touchdowns. Dan Alexander had 5 touchdowns on 10 carries.
Week 2: vs. Jacksonville SharksJacksonville SharksThe Jacksonville Sharks were a professional American football team based in Jacksonville, Florida. They competed for part of the 1974 season in the World Football League, a failed attempt to launch a major professional football league in the United States in competition with the National Football...
After giving up the first touchdown on the 2nd half and at that point trailing by 14 points, the Vipers scored the game's next 5 touchdowns to take a 56–35 4th quarter lead. The 21 point cushion held, as the Vipers went on to win 63–49 for the team's first victory of the season. Dan Alexander led the team in rushing again, with 40 yards and 4 touchdowns. Quarterback Kevin EakinKevin Eakin
Kevin Eakin is an American football quarterback for the Alabama Vipers of the Arena Football League. He was signed by the New York Jets of the National Football League as a street free agent in 2005...
threw for 244 yards and also had 4 touchdowns.
Week 3: at Utah BlazeUtah BlazeThe Utah Blaze is a professional arena football team based in Salt Lake City, Utah and competes in the West division of the Arena Football League. Home games are played at the EnergySolutions Arena.-The original Utah Blaze :...
The game featured many lead changes and both teams matched touchdown for touchdown almost all night, but it was the Vipers who came out with the win, improving to 2–1 on the season. Leading by only 3 points at the start of the 4th quarter, Alabama's defense kept the Blaze out of the end zone until the game was all but over, while the offense was able to build a 17-point lead. Kevin EakinKevin Eakin
Kevin Eakin is an American football quarterback for the Alabama Vipers of the Arena Football League. He was signed by the New York Jets of the National Football League as a street free agent in 2005...
threw for 375 yards and 5 touchdowns, and Larry Shipp led all receivers with 199 yards and 4 touchdowns. Dan Alexander rushed for 4 touchdowns in the win.
Week 5: vs. Milwaukee IronMilwaukee IronThe Milwaukee Mustangs are a professional arena football team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. They are currently members of the Arena Football League , which they joined in 2010 during the league's restructuring...
The Vipers won their third straight game and handed the Iron their first loss of the season with a 75–67 win. It was back and forth all night, with Milwaukee leading at the half with a 7-yard passing touchdown with a few seconds left in a high scoring 2nd quarter. In the 3rd quarter, the Vipers took a 54–53 lead on a Brian Jackson field goal from 8 yards out. Their lead would carry into the 4th quarter, when Alabama took control of the game with a pair of touchdown passes by Kevin EakinKevin Eakin
Kevin Eakin is an American football quarterback for the Alabama Vipers of the Arena Football League. He was signed by the New York Jets of the National Football League as a street free agent in 2005...
. Larry Shipp had a 48-yard rushing touchdown with just over a minute left. The Iron scored a touchdown with 39 seconds remaining to cut Alabama's lead to 8 points, but the Vipers recovered the ensuing onside kick and ran the clock out for the win. Eakin finished with 221 yards and 7 touchdowns. C.J. Johnson was the leading receiver with 91 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Week 6: at Tulsa TalonsTulsa TalonsThe San Antonio Talons are a professional arena football franchise in San Antonio, Texas that plays in the Arena Football League.The Talons began in 2000 in Tulsa, Oklahoma as the Tulsa Talons, a charter member of the defunct minor league Arena Football 2, also known as af2...
The Vipers' 3-game winning streak was snapped after coming up short against the Talons. Alabama led at halftime 28–13, but by the end of the 3rd quarter, the game was tied 42–42. The Vipers did not score in the 4th quarter until there was less than a minute remaining. By that time, they had allowed two Tulsa touchdowns and a safety to fall behind 56–42 before Larry Shipp's 22-yard touchdown reception. Tulsa found the end zone again on their ensuing drive to make it a 14-point game again. Backup quarterback Tony Colston answered by running for a touchdown from 10 yards out. Now only down 62–56, the Vipers attempted an onside kick but did not recover it. The Talons took possession and ran out the clock for the win.Starting quarterback Kevin Eakin
Kevin Eakin
Kevin Eakin is an American football quarterback for the Alabama Vipers of the Arena Football League. He was signed by the New York Jets of the National Football League as a street free agent in 2005...
threw for 281 yards and 3 touchdowns, but had to leave the game in the 4th quarter after suffering a sprained right ankle. Eakin had a similar injury in ArenaCup IX
ArenaCup IX
ArenaCup IX was the 2008 edition of the af2's championship game, played on Monday, August 25, 2008, in which the American Conference Champions Tennessee Valley Vipers defeated the National Conference Champion Spokane Shock in Spokane, Washington by a score of 56-55 in overtime.-Notable...
. Shipp's and Michael Johnson's receiving stats were almost identical. Shipp caught 8 passes for 119 yards and 2 touchdowns, while Johnson caught 8 passes for 120 yards and just a single touchdown.