VooDoo Set for Season Opener Sunday Against Philadelphia Soul
March 15, 2012 - Arena Football League (AFL)
New Orleans VooDoo News Release
NEW ORLEANS (March 15, 2012) - The New Orleans VooDoo open their 2012 season in The Graveyard against the high-powered Philadelphia Soul on Sunday, March 18. Kickoff is set for 3:00 pm CST.
The VooDoo had a productive training camp and preseason, defeating the defending ArenaBowl Champion Jacksonville Sharks, 49-28, in a scrimmage on Saturday, March 3. The VooDoo played next-to-perfect throughout the scrimmage, playing without any turnovers, only allowing one sack, and scoring two touchdowns on special teams.
"The scrimmage was good for us to build and learn as a team, but Sunday will be the real thing and Philadelphia has a very talented team," said VooDoo head coach Pat O'Hara. "We have a very young, hungry team and we also have a lot of homegrown talent. I am as anxious as anyone to see how our team plays when the lights come on."
Of the 24 active players on the roster, the VooDoo features 13 AFL rookies making their debut in between the walls this Sunday. New Orleans also only has one player with over three years of AFL experience with WR/KR Josh Bush suiting up for his 8th season. The VooDoo will also showcase some of the local area's talent, suiting up a total of eight players from Louisiana.
Like the VooDoo, the Soul will also be opening their 2012 season; however, this will be the first time the Soul will play a game this season, opting not to play a preseason scrimmage.
Philadelphia has assembled a "Dream Team" that features league record-setter Derrick Ross and member of the All-Ironman Team WR Jeff Hughley, who ranked No. 3 in the AFL in 2011 in all-purpose yards (2,680). The Soul also features six other All-Arena players from a season ago: wide receivers Anthony "Tiger" Jones and Donovan Morgan, defensive backs Rayshaun Kizer and Michaeux Robinson, along with linebacker Dusty Bear, and offensive lineman Devin Clark.
After hosting the Soul, New Orleans will remain at home to host the Milwaukee Mustangs in The Graveyard on Friday, March 23 before taking to the road for the first time, traveling to the Utah Blaze on March 31.
VooDoo on Television: Cox 4 (tape delayed locally)
VooDoo on the Radio: 99.5 FM WRNO "Rush Radio"
VooDoo Broadcast Team: Ken Trahan (play-by-play), Jon Norris (color), Jimmy Frederick (sideline)
VooDoo on the Internet: www.wrno.com
VooDoo live game feed: www.ustream.tv/NewOrleansVooDoo
VooDoo live statistics: www.prestosports.com
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