Storm Faces the VooDoo Saturday

Published on April 30, 2013 under Arena Football League (AFL)
Tampa Bay Storm News Release


TAMPA BAY - The Tampa Bay Storm (4-2, 1-1) will face South Division rival New Orleans VooDoo (1-4, 1-1) this Saturday, May 4 at the Tampa Bay Times Forum on "NET10 Wireless Arena Football Saturday" on CBS Sports Network. Kickoff is set for 9:00 PM ET. A win over the VooDoo will put the Storm at a 2-1 record in the South Division, and 2-2 at home.

This will be the thirteenth meeting between these two rivals, and the seventh in Tampa Bay. While the Storm holds a 7-5 advantage over New Orleans, the VooDoo has outscored Tampa Bay by a margin of 30 points over the course of the series.

The two teams share much in common and there is familiarity with the coaching staffs. VooDoo head coach Pat O'Hara played for the Storm from 2003 to 2006. He patrolled the sidelines as a Storm assistant coach from 2007 to 2008. Storm head coach Dave Ewart joined the staff in 2002 and served as an assistant coach with O'Hara. Storm offensive coordinator Lawrence Samuels played 15 seasons with the Storm, and caught the game winning touchdown from O'Hara in ArenaBowl XVII.

Tampa Bay enters this weekend's matchup coming off a statement victory over the once undefeated Spokane Shock. Quarterback Adrian McPherson completed 21-of-36 passes for 310 yards, seven touchdowns and no interceptions. The dual-threat quarterback also got it done with his legs, rushing 17 times for 50 yards and three touchdowns. He now leads the league in rushing yards (233) and rushing touchdowns (17).

The Storm's receiving corp. is lead by Joe Hills. Hills leads the league with 769 receiving yards, and is second with 19 touchdowns. He is joined by former VooDoo player, Greg Ellingson. Ellingson had breakout performance against the Shock with 108 receiving yards and two touchdowns. He will be facing his former team as he spent part of the 2012 season with the VooDoo.

The Storm defense should not go unnoticed either. The defense enters the game having recorded an interception in five consecutive games. The defensive backfield is led by Chris Smith who is tied for second in the AFL with four interceptions on the season. Look for the defensive backs to swarm the receivers, looking for opportunities to intercept a team that has thrown nine interceptions on the season, including two in its last game.

The VooDoo enters the game with a question mark at the quarterback position as the injury bug has surfaced. Entering the season, the team counted on returning starter Kurt Rocco. However, with Rocco out last week due to injury, the team may need to rely on Zach Eskridge and Bill Stull this coming weekend. This does not mean the Storm can rest on its laurels. The VooDoo does have a talented group of receivers led by Courtney Smith. The team distributes the ball evenly with Smith, Derek Lee, and Donovan Morgan each having five or more touchdowns on the season.

The Storm offensive line will also have its hands full with the VooDoo defensive line. New Orleans is in a tie for fourth in the AFL with nine sacks on the season. The team has recorded at least two sacks in two consecutive games leading up to this weekend's matchup. The offensive line will have to protect McPherson if it wants to come away with the win.

The Five-Time World Champion Tampa Bay Storm was awarded the 2012 AFL Support Staff of the Year. Single game tickets can be purchased online at Ticketmaster.com, by calling 800.745.3000 or by visiting the McDonalds® Ticket Office at the Tampa Bay Times Forum. Season tickets can be purchased by visiting TampaBayStorm.com or by calling 813.301.6600. Additionally fans and sponsors can follow the Storm on Facebook (Tampa Bay Storm) or Twitter (@tampabaystorm) for up to date news and exclusive content.

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