Predators Take on Former Head Coach Pat O'Hara, VooDoo
May 15, 2012 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Orlando Predators News Release
After 10 weeks of AFL play, the Orlando Predators sit at the bottom of the American Conference South division with a 1-7 overall record. On Friday the team looks for their first road win of the season as they face the New Orleans VooDoo (3-5). The game kicks off at 8 p.m. and will be broadcast on the NFL Network. This is the first of two matchups against New Orleans this season.
The all-time series between the two franchises favors the Predators with a 7-3 lead over the VooDoo. Orlando played New Orleans twice during the 2011 season, winning 47-3 in Week Two and 62-44 in Week 20.
In this week's matchup against the VooDoo, the Predators face former head coach Pat O'Hara. In two seasons coaching the Predators, O'Hara led Orlando to a 20-17 record (including playoffs) and two playoff appearances. O'Hara is also a former Orlando Predators quarterback, who helped the team win two Arena Bowl championships in 1998 and 2000. Prior to the AFL, O'Hara spent time with the Tampa Bay Bucs, Washington Redskins, and San Diego Chargers as a player. O'Hara is currently 3-5 with the VooDoo this season.
O'Hara will be leading a Voodoo offense that has the ability to put points on the board. The VooDoo have one of the AFL's best quarterbacks in Kurt Rocco. So far this season, Rocco has completed 60 percent of his passes and thrown for 2,490 yards and 47 touchdown passes. Through eight games, Rocco has hit four VooDoo receivers for eight touchdowns or more. The Preds defense will also have to keep an eye out for VooDoo fullback Joe Alajajian, who has seven rushing touchdowns this season.
As for the Predators offense, Orlando has had inconsistency at the quarterback position this season. The team has used three different quarterbacks through eight games with Collin Drafts, Justin Roper, and Chris Leak. In the Week Eight matchup against the Tampa Bay Storm, Roper got the start, but after he struggled in the first half, Leak took over in the second. Leak put up solid numbers, throwing for three touchdowns and 78 yards. After the two quarterbacks split time in the Storm matchup, look for Leak to possibly get his first start for the Predators against the VooDoo.
Up next the Predators will return home to The Jungle for a home game against the defending Arena Bowl champion Jacksonville Sharks on Friday, May 25. The 8 p.m. game will be at the Amway Center and will broadcast live on the NFL Network.
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