Ball Bounces Against Vipers in Opener

The Midwest Vipers suffered a season-opening loss to the hands of the Hannibal Falcons on a blustery Sunday afternoon.

The Vipers took a 24-12 lead into the halftime break, but the lead wasn't enough as the Falcons tied the game midway through the third quarter before pulling away late.

After the Falcons scored on their second offensive play of the game, the Vipers defense stiffened before giving up a tipped pass for a touchdown late in the first quarter. The Vipers took control of the game in the second quarter off of a punt return for touchdown and a passing score to head to the locker room with a twelve point lead.

The Vipers defense held the Falcons offense down in the first half of a 57-36 loss on Sunday, February 24th at Porter Stadium in Hannibal, MO.

The second half started with a passing touchdown by the Falcons to get within six. The Falcons defense forced a three-and-out and returned a bouncing punt for a touchdown to tie the game and the point after gave them a 25-24 lead.

The Vipers would bounce back with a score of their own to regain the lead, but that was the last time they would be ahead on the scoreboard. Down 30-25 with :06 left in the third quarter and the wind at their back, the Falcons took a well-placed timeout and drew up a passing play down the sideline for a long touchdown to take a 32-30 lead heading into the fourth.

The Falcons took control early in the fourth after another deflected pass for a touchdown that was followed up with a muffed snap by the Vipers on a punt attempt deep in their own territory. An interception was then followed up with a deep, floating touchdown pass. The score grew to 51-30 before the Vipers tallied another touchdown pass. The Falcons rounded out the scoring with an onside kick return for touchdown.

The Vipers look to bounce back against the Muscatine RiverHawks (1-0) next Sunday at 2 pm in Cuba.