Kopp Is the Piranhas’ Choice at Quarterback

The Piranhas have decided to stay with Troy Kopp as their starting quarterback, Coach Babe Parilli announced Monday. Kopp backed up Scooter Molander for the first 12 games of the season but was benched in favor of Kopp before the Piranhas’ July 21 home game against Iowa.

Kopp completed 15 of 29 passes for 174 yards and two touchdowns before being replaced by Molander for the fourth quarter of the Piranhas’ 50-44 loss.

“He really played all right in that game,” Parilli said. “I didn’t think he played that bad. Troy’s going to start and we’ll see what happens from there. We need to get something going and we feel Troy’s earned the start.”

Parilli said Molander, 29, has taken the demotion well.

“Scooter’s a pro,” Parilli said. “He’s been great.”

Kopp’s second start will be Friday in the Piranhas’ Arena Football League regular-season finale at Orlando. Kopp, 24, who attended Mission Viejo High and Pacific University, started most of last season with Memphis. He passed for 2,787 yards and 44 touchdowns.

The Piranhas must win Friday night to become the AFL’s fifth-seeded team in the playoffs. The team learned Monday it has no chance of hosting a home playoff game. A loss Friday could drop the Piranhas to the eighth spot.

If the Piranhas win, they would travel to Milwaukee for the first round. If they lose, they probably would travel to Iowa to play the top-seeded Barnstormers.

In other news, the Piranhas announced the signing of defensive back Derek Davis, who had been playing in the World Football League. Davis, who played collegiately at Long Beach State and the University of Idaho, also played with British Columbia and Sacramento of the Canadian Football League.

The Piranhas are expected to activate defensive specialists Carlton Johnson and Rodney Mazion from injured reserve. To make room for Davis, the team released defensive back Lance Thomas.