Piranhas’ Kopp Might Get Start

Piranha Coach Babe Parilli said he is considering a quarterback change for Saturday’s regular-season finale against the Iowa Barnstormers.

Parilli turned to reserve quarterback Troy Kopp Saturday against Charlotte Rage. Kopp replaced starter Scooter Molander in the second half and led the Piranhas (9-3) to a 44-40 victory that clinched a playoff berth.

The Piranhas, who finish the regular-season Saturday at the Pond, took Monday off and will practice today.

“We’re going to see how it goes during practice this week,” Parilli said. “Troy has really progressed and learned the system much better. We’ve been trying to bring him along.”

Actually, the Piranhas had been trying to send him along until the trading deadline passed. Kopp, who graduated from Mission Viejo High and played at Pacific, had demanded to be traded.

Kopp passed for 44 touchdowns for the Arena Football League’s Memphis Pharaohs last season.

Until Saturday, Kopp had made only two mop-up appearances this season. He had a heated exchange with coaches in the locker room after one game. Piranha officials nearly traded Kopp in mid-June, but the deal fell through. As it turned out, it was a good deal not to make.

Kopp completed 11 of 15 passes for 100 yards and one touchdown against the Rage. Molander, who left with the team trailing, 24-21, had three passes intercepted in the game.

“You’ve got to have two good quarterbacks in this league,” Parilli said.

But you can only start one.

Molander has completed 223 of 365 for 2,632 yards with 37 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. Kopp is 26 of 42 for 286 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions.