Kopp Rallies the Piranhas to Victory, Playoff Berth

Troy Kopp’s season, and maybe his professional career, took a turn Saturday night and he and the Piranhas are better off because of it.

Kopp, who had made only two mop-up appearances at quarterback before Saturday, entered the game in the second half and led the Piranhas to a 44-40 come-from-behind victory over the Charlotte Rage at the Charlotte Coliseum.

Anaheim (9-3) clinched a playoff berth and has a good shot at hosting a first-round game.

Kopp, a former Mission Viejo High standout, came in after the Rage intercepted three of starter Scooter Molander’s passes in the first half.

“Scooter’s done a good job all year but had a little trouble tonight and I was ready to play,” Kopp said.

Kopp came in with the Piranhas trailing, 24-21, and then watched as Charlotte increased its lead to 37-21.

After the Piranhas’ Darren Williams ran for a six-yard touchdown and Darryl Milburn added a safety, Kopp found Nathan Burchette for a 19-yard touchdown pass and Kevin Carroll ran in the two-point conversion to tie the score, 37-37.

Charlotte took the lead on a 19-yard field goal late in the third quarter, but Carroll gave Anaheim the lead for good with a two-yard touchdown run with 10:54 remaining.

The Rage (4-8) reached the Piranha one-yard line with 1:04 left, but fumbled and Anaheim recovered. The Piranhas, who earlier had a fourth-quarter drive halted by a fumble at the one, gave the ball back to Charlotte once more, but a last-second pass was intercepted by Tommy Jones in the end zone.

Kopp completed 11 of 15 passes for 100 yards and one touchdown.

“I wasn’t surprised with the change in that situation, I just got the opportunity and we were able to get a good team win,” Kopp said.