LIONS

TROJANS

REVOLUTON

Davis Vipers-7, Wasatch Revolution-42
Saturday, April 16, 2016
Taylorsville, Utah- Taylorsville High School Field

Courtesy of Ken Anderson of the Wasatch REV

 

On Saturday, April 16th at Taylorsville High School, the Wasatch REVolution hosted the Davis Vipers in Week 3 of the young 2016 RMFL season.  Coming into the game the REV were 1-1 and the Vipers were 1-0.  Both teams squared off with each other in a preseason scrimmage so there was some familiarity with each other before kickoff.

 

 

The Vipers opted to receive the opening kickoff and tragedy struck the REV right away as one of their players, Kyle Chance, got hit in the leg in a freak accident and snapped both bones.  The game was delayed while an ambulance came to take care of Kyle and get him to the emergency room.  Once play resumed the REV started in old form as the defense forced an easy 3-and-out.  The Vipers punt hung up and took a bounce right to REV punt returner Taylor Van Dongen who immediately ripped off a 39 yard punt return to the Vipers 26-yard line.  After a 21 yard reception down to the Viper 3-yard line by REV WR Delric Ellington, the REV were inside the 4 with a chance to score.  But they were unable to do so as RB Avei Hunkin fumbled the ball, which was then recovered by the Vipers at the Viper 3-yard line. 

 

With the 28+ MPH wind blowing in the Vipers faces, they were unable to get anything going and the REV defense forced a 3-and-out.  The Vipers punt was shanked and the REV took possession at the Viper 13-yard line.

First play out of the gate REV QB Charlie Peterson found RB DeAngelo Branche on a 13 yard touchdown strike and the REV took a 7-0 lead.

 

After another 3 and out by the Vipers thanks to a sack by REV newcomer Sebastian Tautalatasi, the REV went on a solid 7 play drive that ended with a touchdown reception by RB Zac Guerts.  The REV took a 14-0 lead.

 

 

Vipers responded by picking up a nice 1st down on a completion by QB Schuyler Sherwood, but the REV defense brought pressure and REV DE Vic McKenzie forced a fumble that led to another impossible 4th and long situation for the Vipers.  The Vipers punted and the ball ricocheted off a Viper player before REV PR Sean Gabaldon showed his speed with a 42 yard punt return down to the Viper 3-yard line.  This time REV RB Avei Hunkin got the call again and dragged two Viper defenders into the end zone for a commanding 21-0 REV lead.

 

 

The Davis Vipers were punished on multiple penalties.  They were also unable to execute much offensively as the REV defense contained Sherwood and forced 3-and-out after 3-and-out.  The Vipers did score on a nice Sherwood scramble that led to a 35 yard completion down to the REV 4.  Sherwood then found an open Damonte Dexter in the endzone to cut into the REV lead, 21-7.

 

 

After a nice kick return to the REV 44-yard line by RB Zach Geurts, the Davis Vipers defense clamped down and forced the one and only 3-and-out of the REV offense.  They were unable to capitalize and ended up punting a beauty inside the REV 10 yard line.

 

 

With the wind still blasting and the clock at just under 3 minutes in the half, the REV were able to get a fast drive going with a couple long completions to WR Rocky May and WR Joe Mapson.  The REV had a chance to score just before halftime but Peterson was intercepted on the last play of the half by Viper DB Craig Smith.

 

At halftime, it was the 21-7 for the REV.

 

 

The REV received the 2nd half opening kickoff and went on a time consuming 11-play, 80-yard touchdown drive that basically sealed the victory.  Long runs by RB DeAngelo Branche and RB Zach Guerts got the REV O-line moving.  The drive ended with a 4 yard touchdown plunge by DeAngelo Branche and the celebration was on.

 

The Vipers could not recover and the REV defense continued to pummel any Viper passing options.  The REV forced the Vipers into a 1 dimensional attack and Sherwood had a difficult outing because of the pressure.

 

It wasn’t without opportunity though.  The Vipers missed a wide open streaking receiver for a touchdown on a blown REV coverage that would have cut the lead to 28-14, but the Vipers were off just enough to keep them in the basement for the game.

 

 

After another Viper punt, the REV scored again on a Peterson to Ellington touchdown pass.  The play hurt though as REV WR Rocky May was lost on the season with an Achilles tendon injury.  Rocky tied for team lead in receptions with 5 for 59 yards.  His loss will be felt for the REV.  At that point it was 35-7 REV.

 

 

After a REV DE Jason Mapu sack on Sherwood, the Vipers threw an errant pass to CB Angel Castillo that he promptly returned to the Viper 32-yard line.  After a 5-yard run by Hunkin, the REV hit paydirt again on a 25 yard scoring strike from QB Peterson to WR Joe Mapson.

 

 

With the running clock now in effect at 42-7, and over 10:25 on the 4th quarter clock, the Vipers were able to sustain a drive all the way down to the REV 10-yard line after multiple REV defensive penalties.

 

On the last play of the game the Vipers were unable to get a snap off from the REV 7-yard line and the game ended in a 42-7 REV victory.

 

 

REV QB Charlie Peterson completed 21 of 27 for 287 yards and 4 touchdowns.  WR Dedric Ellington  caught 5 passes for 94 yards and a touchdown, Joe Mapson made 3 catches for 53 yards and a touchdown, and Jordan Drage finished with 4 catches for 42 yards.  RB DeAngelo Branche led the rushing efforts with 35 yards on 7 carries and a touchdown.

 

 

The REV defense was aided by newcomer Sebastian Tautalatasi with 4 tackles followed by Mike Pierce with 3.5.  

Jason Mapu would also have 3 tackles and 1.5 sacks for the REV.

 

 

Viper QB Schuyler Sherwood completed 10 of 24 for 155 yards and a touchdown.  Sherwood also led the Viper rushing efforts with 31 yards on 4 carries.  His leading targets were Chris Smart with 4 catches for 56 yards and Damonte Dexter with 2 catches for 37 yards and a touchdown.

 

 

The Viper defense was led by Marcus Robinson with 5 tackles and Brayden Hebdon with 4.5 tackles.  Josh Sides would also add a forced fumble on the goal line.

 

 

The Wasatch REVolution moved to 2-1 on the season while the Davis Vipers dropped to 1-1.  The REV will travel to Las Vegas to play the Vegas Hawks on Saturday, April 23rd while the Vipers will host the St. George based Zion Lions in Layton, UT.

 

 

UPDATE: Kyle Chance has had surgery and is doing well. You can find him on Facebook to wish him well. We all hate to see injuries, especially of this magnitude. Kyle is a great man and team mate.