Awake the Graveyard: VooDoo and Sharks Set for Key South Division Clash
June 28, 2012 - Arena Football League (AFL)
New Orleans VooDoo News Release
NEW ORLEANS (June 28, 2012) - The New Orleans VooDoo (7-7) will host the Jacksonville Sharks (7-7) this Saturday, June 30 in The Graveyard at 7 p.m. The winner of the game will sit alone atop the South Division and move one step closer to claiming the 2012 South Division crown and the No. 2 playoff seed in the American Conference.
"This is a huge game. I hope our fan base comes out and gets behind us. We need them as our ninth man," said VooDoo Head Coach Pat O'Hara. "As a team, we control our destiny and need to play sound in all three phases this week against Jacksonville. Both teams know what is at stake."
Of the VooDoo's four remaining games, three are against South Division foes with the first against the Sharks. Jacksonville owns the all-time series, 3-0.
In the last meeting earlier this season, the VooDoo held a 22-point 3rd quarter lead, but fell to a ravenous Shark comeback over the final two quarters to lose, 41-37. The Sharks closed the game on a 27-0 run over the final 26 minutes.
"That was a tough loss. Looking back on it, we know that we let that game slip away. Our team has learned from it and is focused for this week's game," added O'Hara. "Jacksonville is the defending ArenaBowl Champion and we expect their best."
The Sharks have won four of their last six games with quarterback Benard Morris and defensive back Micheaux Robinson being major contributors during that stretch. Morris started the second half in the two teams' prior meeting with Morris being a major factor in defeating the VooDoo. Morris is 4-3 as a starter for the Sharks.
Robinson started the season with the Philadelphia Soul, but was traded in Week 10 to the Sharks. Robinson led Jacksonville to last season's ArenaBowl Championship, and since joining the Sharks, he has recorded 20.5 total tackles, 4 interceptions and 12 pass break ups over the course of 6 games.
"This is a much improved team since our last meeting in May. Micheaux is a great defensive player and wide receiver Jeron Harvey is healthy," said O'Hara. "I can't stress enough how big of a game this is. It is huge."
The VooDoo are paced by quarterback Kurt Rocco on offense and an opportunistic defense that leads the AFL in turnover margin (+21). In last week's game versus the Orlando Predators, New Orleans recorded a single-game team record 6.0 sacks in the win with 2.0 coming from defensive lineman Marlon Favorite.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. in The Graveyard on Saturday. Those interested in buying tickets can call 504-875-3900 or visit www.aflvoodoo.com for more information.
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: http://livestats.prestosports.com/neworleansvoodoo
Arena Football League Stories from June 28, 2012
- Sharks Add Defensive Lineman Julian Hartsell - Jacksonville Sharks
- Sharks Head to Bayou with Division Lead on the Line - Jacksonville Sharks
- Awake the Graveyard: VooDoo and Sharks Set for Key South Division Clash - New Orleans VooDoo
- Rowley Voted Week 16 National Guard MVP - AFL
- Former Kansas City Chief Returns to Command - Kansas City Command
- SaberCats Hall of Famer Sam Hernandez Named Ninth Greatest Player in AFL History - San Jose SaberCats
- Top 25 Players in AFL History: No. 9 Sam Hernandez - AFL
- Storm Shuffle Roster - Tampa Bay Storm
- Soul Look to Weather the Storm - Philadelphia Soul
- Orlando Predators Take on Georgia Force Sunday, July 1 - Orlando Predators
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
