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af2 has heavy presence in upcoming New Orleans-Philadelphia battle

May 18, 2007 - arenafootball2 (af2) News Release


CHICAGO - This week's Russell Athletic ESPN Arena Football Monday matchup features two teams, New Orleans (4-6) and Philadelphia (4-6), which are led by former arenafootball2 (af2) head coaches - Mike Neu and Brett Munsey. Neu and the VooDoo travel to Philadelphia to take on Munsey's Soul squad in a game that will be broadcast live on May 21, at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2 and ESPN360.com. The contest will also provide a national showcase for a number of notable former af2 players on both sides.

Before Neu got his first AFL head coaching job with Carolina in 2001, he guided the af2's Augusta Stallions to a 14-4 overall record (13-3 regular season, 1-1 playoffs) in 2000 and earned Coach of the Year honors. That season he also hired Munsey as his Defensive Coordinator. The following year Munsey accepted the head coaching job with the af2's Tennessee Valley Vipers. He took advantage of his opportunity, guiding the Vipers to a 15-3 overall record (14-2 regular season, 1-1 playoffs) and earned Coach of the Year honors. Munsey got his AFL start a year later be rejoining Neu with Carolina as the team's Defensive Coordinator. In 2006, Munsey got his first AFL head coaching opportunity with the Soul. Last year he led Philadelphia to a 9-7 regular season record and the franchise's first-ever postseason appearance. Neu is in his third season directing the VooDoo. In his first season with New Orleans in 2004, he guided the expansion franchise to the Southern Division title on the strength of an 11-5 regular season record. Following the season, Neu was named AFL Coach of the Year.

The VooDoo will take the field with eight players with af2 experience while the Soul feature five players with af2 roots.

A full list of the 13 af2 alumni that will make an impact in the Russell Athletic ESPN Arena Football Monday game between New Orleans and Philadelphia is located below:

New Orleans Philadephia

Steve Bellisari - Manchester 2006 Mike Brown - Charleston 2002-03

Henry Bryant - Wichita 2004 Jerrian James - Pensacola 2002, Tenn. Valley 2003-04

William "Roc" Haith - Norfolk 2003, Manchester 2005-06 Brian Mance - Manchester 2006

Brett Houle - Rio Grande Valley 2004-05 J.J. McKelvey - Manchester 2004-05

Tony Locke - Cincinnati 2003, Albany 2004 Eddie Moten - Rio Grande Valley 2004

Rich McCleskey - Tulsa 2000-01

Tremaine Neal - Macon 2002-03

Alex Wallace - Bakersfield 2005-06

New Orleans, No. 12 in this week's Schutt Sports Poll, holds a 2-0 all-time record against the Soul. With QB ANDY KELLY (2,355 YDs, 39 TDs) at the helm, the VooDoo look to secure sole possession of fourth place in the National Conference playoff standings and end the first three-game losing streak in franchise history. Philadelphia is out to put a stop to its currently six-game slide.

New Orleans defeated Philadelphia, 61-47, in their most recent contest in Week 4 of the 2005 season. The game saw both Kelly and Soul QB TONY GRAZIANI throw seven touchdowns each.

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