VIPERS
EXPECTATIONS HIGH HEADING INTO THE FIRST SEASON OF THE AA/AA SPLIT; HAVE ONLY
THEMSELVES TO HOLD THEM BACK
Team Summary by: Chris Jones, Vipers
Team Preview by: Jared Neumeier
OGDEN – The Vipers enter the 2006 season
hungry to vindicate a sub par 2005 year. The Vipers find themselves being
placed into the "AA" division in 2006, and even though the Vipers
know that they are more talented than an average "AA" team, due
to their record in 2005 (3-5), it is fair, and the Vipers will accept
their place in division "AA".
Even though the 2005 Viper squad was loaded with talent, for some reason
the team struggled at times to play as a cohesive unit when they took the
field. Don't be fooled by their record however, at 3-5 this was no
mediocre team.
The 2005 Vipers showcased the third highest rusher in the 2005 RMFL
season with half back Kyle Curtis (830 yards), who also added 54 yards and 2
touchdowns in his first RMFL All Star Game. The Vipers also exited the
2005 season with the 5th best defense in the entire RMFL. Quite a feet
when you consider they came in behind only the Wasatch Wildcats (no longer in
league), Rhino Raiders, SL Nemesis & Boise Roughrider (all of which are in
the RMFL division "AAA" this year). If that wasn't impressive
enough, the Vipers were the only 3-5 RMFL squad to have three defensive players
represented in the RMFL All Star Game (LB Mike Christensen, LB Nick Coates, and
CB Matt Peterson). Along with those four RMFL all stars, the Vipers also
had PK Bryce Kennington (RMFL record holder for longest FG – 54), and OL Chris
Jones selected to the RMFL All Star Game. That’s 6 players from a
3-5 team went to the RMFL All Star game. That speaks volumes about the
talent this Viper team posses.
In 2006, all of those parts are still in place. In fact, the Vipers have
added even more talent, and if you can believe this, they have added more depth
and speed to their roster as well. Behind the strong and accurate arm of
Skyler Sherwood, and the suffocating 3-4 Viper defense, 2006 stands to be a
"statement year" for the Vipers. In 2006 the Vipers will strive to
prove to everyone in the RMFL that 2005 was merely a fluke and a growing
year. This year, the Vipers will show the RMFL and their loyal fans what
they are capable of when everyone is on the same page and playing as a cohesive
unit.
In
2006, the Vipers are out to make every game a statement game! Not one player on
the Vipers is happy with the way 2005 ended. This is a team that is
hungry to prove to everyone that they are so much better than last year’s
record may indicate. Hold onto your hats, this is going to be a fun ride.
NEUMEIER
COMMENTS: The Vipers definitely come into the season
with the highest title hopes in the Mountain Conference. Finishing last season ranked 5th
in defense and 11th in offense (out of 21 teams); they are obviously
set up to be the team to beat in the Mountain Conference. Their #5 defensive ranking was higher than
AAA teams, Madison, Utah Wolverines, Idaho Falls, Pocatelllo and the Idaho
Matadors. They have to feel like they
already have a defense good enough to go for the title.
Offensively,
they have a league-leading running back in Kyle Curtis, probably the best pure
quarterback in the AA division in Skylar Sherwood, and none-too-shabby array of
weapons in Colby Cook and James Flynn. I
haven’t even mentioned a guy named Josh Christensen yet. This just could be a Viper year as the Rex
Stacey and company want to spend a season winning
football games and earning a AAA spot for the 2007 season.
How
confident are they? Well, their roster
is almost identical to last year; nary a new name on it. Just a list of established
veteran players for the most part. They know what they’ve got, they just have to put it together.
I will
go ahead, for now, and agree that they are the team to beat, I must hearken
back to the immortal words of Chris Jones in the summary above, “Even though
the 2005 Viper squad was loaded with talent, for some reason the
team struggled at times to play as a cohesive unit when they took the
field.”
On
paper, this team should win enough to be a playoff shoe-in… however,
games are not won or lost on paper. It will have to be done on the field to
capture any titles in this league. That is where the rubber meets the road… and
the Vipers have the opportunity to flex their coils against RMFL competition.
KEY ADDITIONS:
Preston Cook – Wide Receiver
Kevin Bell – Running Back
(injured)
OFFENSE:
Part of the problem the Vipers had last season was quarterback. They actually have two fairly decent quarterbacks in Skylar Sherwood, a true talent and Terry Smothers, a proven veteran, but throughout the season, uncertainty seemed to reign as to whether Sherwood would be at the game and/therefore who would start. If Sherwood was going to be “the man”, he needed to step up last season… he has the experience and gifts to really charge an offense, if he does it in 2006, there’s no telling how well this offense can do. With talents like James Flynn and the Cook boys (Colby and Preston) to throw to, there is no shortage of game-breaking speed. However, the Vipers are still a bit of a run-first offense, and for good reason. Kyle Curtis finished third in the RMFL in rushing last year on his way to a great all-star game performance and being named Utah North Division offensive MVP. When Josh Christensen, the long-time Viper fullback, is able to play with Curtis, this is arguably the best backfield tandem in the RMFL… at any level. The Vipers, however, were counting on new addition, Kevin Bell, a Weber State stud to fill the fullback spot, however, at press time, Bell has been injured and likely lost for the entire 2006 season. The line, anchored by all-star, Chris Jones, is solid. They do lose Jim Greene who leaves to coach for the Rockets and Josh Anderson from last season, but returning with Jones (5’9, 320) will be Mike Holley (5’10, 300), Jake Silvatia (6-5, 285) and Chuck Hall (6’2, 314) as the Viper “beef” average more than 300 pounds a man, clearly the biggest offensive line in the AA. For the Viper offense, even if there were no Sherwood, Smothers is good enough to get the job done, however, if this team is in a dog fight, and some defense has figured out a way to clog up the running gaps forcing an aerial game, it may come down to whether Sherwood, Smothers or whoever is pulling the trigger can get that key completion to win that critical game, vaulting the Vipers into the playoffs. . Bryce Kennington, the all-star place-kicker, who also plays some pretty decent defensive back, returns to help kick the Vipers to some victories… and at this level and with the parity around the AA, he will certainly have his opportunities to do jus that. Offenses are improving around the AA and the Viper offense cannot rely upon the Viper defense to win games, they will have to step up and “getter done”… Projected Offensive Ranking: 3rd
DEFENSE:
The Viper defense is clearly an example of a unit that probably needed no particular changes. Sporting a base set, 3-4 defense, the Vipers take advantage of a wealth of linebacker talent in stuffing the run and closing down passing lanes using experienced and aggressive linebackers. Linebacker, Nick Coats, joined the Vipers last year from the folded Layton Pitbulls and lead the defense in tackles on his way to being named not only to the 2006 All-star team, but also the Utah North Division’s Most Valuable Player, quite an honor for a defensive player that wasn’t even near the top of the league in tackles on a 3-5 football team. This all shows the respect there is around the league for the Viper defense. The Vipers also picked up 2004 sack leader, Troy Peterson from the Pitbulls. Peterson, who topped the scales as a 140-pound a Pitbull defensive lineman, seems to lose effectiveness as he gains weight. Now listed at just over 200 pounds, may never pick up a sack again if he keeps getting bigger and stronger. The rest of the Viper defense are also names most already know. The Vipers are one of those teams that flip a lot of their o-line over to play defensive line, keeping everyone fresh and involved. Many of the same names on the offensive line, support defense, basically setting the table and tying up blockers for their linebackers to swoop in and makes stops. Coats is joined by Viper backers, Mike Chistensen, Matt Christenson and Robert Gill, plus a host of solid depth. Matt Peterson leads an excellent Viper secondary, leading the team in interceptions with 5 from the cornerback position. Chris Norton anchors a primary safety slot and they are teamed up with Nash Montoya at the other corner position and Kevin Slater who had 3 picks himself last season. The secondary also has great depth as a number of quality players are able to rotate in for support in the Viper defense. There is another very impressive defense in the AA division, but this is one that has proven itself. If I rated this unit any lower than #1, I could easily be accused of “just trying to piss them off”; no need to do that… they play that way already… Projected Defensive Ranking: 1st
COACHING AND INTANGIBLES: According to head coach and team GM, Rex Stacey, he is going to have to “do it all” this year. Which means that he won’t have any coaching support during the games. If you are an opposing team and you want to consider that “good news”, well, here’s the bad news… its not entirely true. This veteran team has coaches all over the place, especially on defense. Stacey may have to call the offensive plays, but on defense, the unit if full of team leaders and guys that know the Viper system well enough to call it themselves. This team is certainly no shoe-in for a playoff spot. There are questions with the offensive line, questions about consistency at quarterback and who will play fullback… also, sometimes not improving is almost like falling behind which is where the defense is, however, there is still plenty of all the elements necessary to go for a title and you have to think that the Vipers know it. It is this kind of knowledge the inspires the confidence to achieve anything… for the Vipers that anything is the AA title… and for them, the time is now.
OVERALL RANKING: 1st
