Lamarr Fields 
Photo Credit XFL.com
The Las Vegas Vipers took on the Orlando Guardians on Saturday at Cashman Field. Las Vegas got their first win of the season with a 35-32 victory.
“It’s a half-smile,” coach Rod Woodson said. “We got a win. We did not play great on defense tonight or really the last three weeks. So we have a lot of corrections to make. We have to move forward, though.”
With over a minute left in the game, the Guardians pulled within three when Quinten Dormandy found Cody Latimer for a 45-yard score. However, the three-point conversion failed, as did the next 4th-and-15 try by the Guardians, which gave Vegas the ball on the Orlando 19-yard line. The Orlando defense forced a Vegas turnover and got the ball back with 20 seconds left in the game but couldn’t come through with late-game heroics as the Vipers’ defense held firm.
Luis Perez Played Outstanding
Luis Perez threw for 269 yards and completed 20 of 28 passes while throwing three touchdowns. Perez did not throw any interceptions and did a great job spreading the ball around; he completed passes to ten different players.
Jeff Badet led all Vipers receivers with five catches for 80 yards and two touchdowns. If Perez can play mistake-free football like this, the Vipers can turn their season around.
Rushing Attack
Las Vegas finally had some success running the football; they ran for 123 yards. Rod Smith had 18 carries for 62 yards and two touchdowns.
Running backs DeAndre Torrey and John Lovett pitched in on the rushing attack as well; Torrey added 29 yards and Lovett 23. The Vipers’ offensive line did a good job getting a push at the line of scrimmage.
Defensive has to Play Better
Guardians quarterback Dormady had only had three incomplete passes going 22-25 in the game. He also threw for 256 yards and two touchdowns. Receiver Cody Latimer caught eight balls for 124 and a touchdown.
The Vipers’ defense did have four sacks, but the defensive backs must do a better job making plays on the ball. However, Las Vegas’ defense held firm at the game’s end to give the Vipers their first victory.
