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Former af2 Head Coach Mike Neu's VooDoo hosts former af2 assistant Weylan Harding's Dragons squad

May 27, 2007 - arenafootball2 (af2) News Release


CHICAGO - This week's Russell Athletic ESPN Arena Football Monday matchup features two of the AFL's all-time great quarterbacks as AARON GARCIA (786 career TD passes) and the New York Dragons (4-7) travel to the Big Easy to take on ANDY KELLY (808 career TD passes) and the New Orleans VooDoo (4-7). The game, which will be broadcast live at 8:00 p.m. ET on May 28 on ESPN2 and ESPN360.com, will also provide a national showcase for a number of notable arenafootball2 (af2) alumni on both sides.

The Dragons will take the field with four players with af2 experience. New York DB DASHANE DENNIS, former standout for the af2's Richmond Speed, is in the midst of his third season with the Dragons. He has been a valuable player for New York this season, leading the team in tackles with 58.5. Dennis is also the team's top kick return man. He is tied for second in the AFL with three kick return touchdowns and has amassed 584 yards on 27 returns (21.6 yards per return). Before he made his mark in the AFL, Dennis played one season in the af2 and was a major player for the Speed, providing a glimpse into his AFL future. In 2003 with Richmond, the former Delaware State star led the team in a host of defensive categories, including tackles (54.5), interceptions (5) and pass breakups (17). Three members of the New York coaching staff also have af2 connections, assistants Chad LindsEy, JEROME BROWN and even Head Coach WEYLAN HARDING (af2 assistant with Rochester in 2001).

New Orleans WR WENDALL WILLIAMS stepped into the spotlight last week in the team's loss at Philadelphia that was nationally televised on ESPN2. In his first AFL start, the former Rhode Island standout caught a game-high 10 passes for 96 yards and one touchdown for the VooDoo. His touchdown came early in the fourth quarter on a 14-yard pass from backup QB STEVE BELLISARI, Williams' teammate in 2006 with the af2's Manchester Wolves. Williams and Bellisari are just two of nine players on the VooDoo active roster with af2 roots who will see action on Monday night. Head Coach MIKE NEU (Head Coach of af2's Augusta Stallions - 2000) and assistant GARY GUSSMAN (Head Coach of af2's Rio Grande Valley Dorados - 2004) also sport af2 backgrounds.

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

New York New Orleans New Orleans, cont.

DeShane Dennis - Richmond 2003 Steve Bellisari - Manchester 2006 Rich McCleskey - Tulsa 2000-01

Joe Laudano - Peoria 2004 Henry Bryant - Wichita 2004 Tremaine Neal - Macon 2002-03

Pete Traynor - Quad City 2005 William Haith - Norfolk 2003, Manchester 2005-06 Alex Wallace - Bakersfield 2005-06

Carter Warley - Manchester 2005 Brett Houle - Rio Grande Valley 2004-05 Wendall Williams - Louisville 2005

Tony Locke - Cincinnati 2003, Albany 2004 Manchester 2006

The Dragons have won three of their last four contests with all five remaining contests against conference opponents. Since Garcia's return, the Dragons offense has posted its top two scoring games of the season and can move closer to the sixth and final National Conference playoff position with a win. The celebrated signal caller Garcia (1,061 YDs, 29 TDs, 3 INTs) is coming off back-to-back League Offensive Player of the Week honors.

New Orleans looks to bounce back from their 78-34 loss to Philadelphia on Monday. The VooDoo is 6-2 all-time at home after losing on the road. Kelly has thrown for 2,520 yards on the season with 41 touchdowns and nine interceptions.

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