VooDoo vs. Power - Game Preview
June 26, 2013 - Arena Football League (AFL)
New Orleans VooDoo News Release
NEW ORLEANS - The New Orleans VooDoo begin the first of three straight road games as they take on Pittsburgh this Saturday night.
The VooDoo (3-10) are still searching for their first win on the road, and they will square off with a Pittsburgh team that has had similar struggles at 3-10. The VooDoo are also looking to avenge a 46-43 home loss to the Power earlier this season, while the Power are hoping to snap a four game losing streak.
VooDoo quarterback Kurt Rocco had a tough outing last week's loss to the Talons. Rocco only threw nine passes, three of which were interceptions. He is still ranked tenth in the league in passing yardage with 2,106. Quarterback Chris Dixon saw some action and played a solid game as he amassed 151 yards passing with four touchdowns. He also used his feet for 66 yards on nine carries and two scores. Like Rocco, Dixon developed a rapport with talented receiver Donovan Morgan who had six catches for 116 yards and three touchdowns. Morgan leads all VooDoo receivers with 74 catches for 1,137 yards and 24 touchdowns and has come a long way since having just three receptions for 43 yards in the first meeting with the Power.
The Power have put multiple quarterbacks under center, including former LSU Tiger Jordan Jefferson, but Steven Sheffield has seen the most action in recent weeks. Sheffield had about an average day going 20-39 for 195 yards with four touchdowns and two interceptions in last week's loss to the resurgent Predators. Pittsburgh receiver Mike Washington leads the way for the Power with 103 catches for 1,144 yards and 23 touchdowns. Washington, tenth in the league in receiving, is ranked just ahead of Morgan and had nine receptions for 61 yards and a score in the previous meeting with New Orleans.
Pittsburgh defensive back Sergio Gilliam has had a solid season as he ranks sixth in the league with 70.5 tackles. He also has five interceptions and 17 pass breakups (both team highs). Gilliam also returned a pick for a touchdown against the VooDoo. Defensive back Demarcus Robinson is still the tackles leader for New Orleans with 51, but fellow defensive back Cameron McGlenn comes in as the team's interceptions leader with five and has 100 return yards. McGlenn has had at least one pick in all but one game he's played in for the VooDoo. New Orleans linebacker James Bryant is hoping to repeat his solid performance he had against Pittsburgh as he collected two sacks, a safety, and a game high 9.5 tackles.
In the return game, the VooDoo's Quorey Payne is just 79 yards short of the 1,000-yard mark for kick return yardage. Payne is currently fifth in the league with 921 yards and also had a touchdown last week. The Power's Chris Leflore is ranked ninth in the league with 777 return yards.
This game will be critical for both teams in the American Conference playoff picture. Both teams are two games behind Orlando for the conference's final playoff spot. Pittsburgh holds the tiebreaker by virtue of their win in New Orleans, and a loss could put those chances out of reach for either team. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. EDT in the Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh.
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