Game Thirteen Preview: at Orlando Predators
June 26, 2015 - Arena Football League (AFL)
New Orleans VooDoo News Release
THE OPPONENT: ORLANDO PREDATORS (7-6)
The Orlando Predators host the New Orleans VooDoo this Saturday at Amway Arena with 7-6 record this season. While the loss of starting quarterback Randy Hippeard to injury has slowed Predator progress, backup quarterback Bernard Morris is currently tenth in the league with 1,725 passing yards despite starting in just seven contests this season. He's completed 136-of-240 passes for 32 touchdowns and seven interceptions. A true dual-threat quarterback, Morris is also second in the league for rushing yards (273) and rushing touchdowns (15). The VooDoo secondary and coverage units need to be on the lookout for Predators' playmaker Brandon Thompkins. Thompkins currently leads the league in all-purpose yardage with 2,358 yards on the season. He has 105 rushing yards, 954 receiving yards, 62 field goal return yards, and 1,237 yards on kick returns with 23 combined touchdowns. Defensively the Predators are led by defensive end Meshak Williams, who has tallied 21.5 tackles, 6.5 TFL, and 4.5 sacks off the edge this season. Williams also has an interception, two passes broken up, and four forced fumbles having played in all 13 of Orlando's games to date.
SPIDERMAN CONTINUES HEROICS
Last game against Cleveland Roger Jackson continued his steady play this season, catching five passes for 73 yards and touchdown. Playing in just seven games this season Jackson currently ranks second on the team in receptions (52), yards (611) and touchdown catches (11). Among AFL rookies Jackson ranks second in receptions and receiving touchdowns behind Anthony Amos (SPO) and Julius Gregory (TBY), and fourth in receiving yards behind Amos, Gregory and Kendrick Ings (TBY). Jackson remains on pace to break franchise rookie receiving records for receiving yardage (895) and touchdowns (18) set by Kenny Henderson in 2007.
McCLAIN CONTINUES ROOKIE SWAGGER
In just two games this season rookie wide receiver Charles McClain has 15 catches for 217 yards and six total touchdowns. In McClain's first career AFL action on June 12 against Cleveland he caught seven passes for 73 yards and two touchdowns, adding a rushing touchdown in the second half as well. All four VooDoo rookie wide-outs this season have caught at least six passes for 40+ yards and a touchdown in their debut games. (Roger Jackson, Johnny Lester, Charles McClain, Carlese Franklin and Chris Duvalt combined for 18 catches for 212 yards and all six touchdowns. Orlando's Thompkins would finish with 243 all-purpose yards with a pair of touchdowns.
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Arena Football League Stories from June 26, 2015
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