
VooDoo, Force Fight for Postseason Saturday Night
Published on July 19, 2012 under Arena Football League (AFL)
New Orleans VooDoo News Release
NEW ORLEANS (July 19, 2012) - The New Orleans VooDoo (8-9) will host the Georgia Force (8-9) Saturday, July 21 in The Graveyard at 7 p.m. The winner of this game will make it to American Conference playoffs.
Both teams are coming off tough loses last week, with the VooDoo falling to the Tampa Bay Storm in overtime 77-78 and the Force falling to the Pittsburgh Power 41-58.
"It's exciting; we have controlled our own destiny here for a while and nail it down. This is our last game, it's here in The Graveyard and we need our fans here, showing their support," said Head Coach Pat O'Hara.
In the last meeting between the VooDoo and Force, the VooDoo took the win 57-35. The Force offence struggled against the VooDoo defense that had 4 interceptions 2 by DB Demarcus Robinson and 2 by JLB Alvin Ray Jackson. Jackson is tied with Philadelphia Soul Kent Richardson with 14 interceptions, he hopes to get 3 interceptions this weekend to take the league lead.
After last weekends game Jackson said, "we learned that we can't take anything for garneted and we need to execute through it till the end." As for the game this weekend Jackson and the VooDoo are going to be trying to "execute on all sides of the ball and do what it takes to win," said Jackson.
This will be Force QB Bryant Moniz first meeting with the VooDoo this season and he will have some tough competition against the VooDoo defense. Moniz has played the last three games for the Force, which he has thrown 700 yards, completing 61 of 107 pass attempts for 14 touchdowns.
Force receivers Larry Shipp and CJ Johnson will be Moniz's main targets; Shipp has 156 receptions, 1,516 yards, and 32 touchdowns with Johnson close behind him with 96 receptions, 1,042 yards, and 14 touchdowns.
VooDoo QB Kurt Rocco has been having a record-breaking season along with his three receivers WR Josh Bush, WR Quorey Payne, and WR LJ Castile who will be Rocco's main targets this weekend. Rocco has thrown for 5,063 yards, completing 369 of 671 pass attempts for 101 touchdowns.
"Kurt kept us in the game last week and he has grown a lot throughout the year," said O'Hara. "It comes down to a one game season. Keys to the game are one protection and getting after the passer we have to hold down the line of scrimmage. Two, we have to do a better job with the special teams. If we do these two things then it will be awesome night."
Bush has recorded 105 receptions, 1,676 yards, and 35 touchdowns. Castile has recorded 103 receptions, 1,190 yards, and 27 touchdowns. Payne has recorded 93 receptions, 1,264 yards, and 23 touchdowns. These three players could make franchise history by being the only three receivers to hit 100 receptions, 1,000 yards, and 20 touchdowns.
"It would be nice for Quorey to get a couple more receptions, yards, and touchdowns and get up there with Josh and LJ. Not only will Josh, Quorey, and LJ be my main targets but Courtney Smith and Chris Duvalt will be up there too," said Rocco.
VooDoo on Television: Cox 4
VooDoo on the Radio: 99.5 FM WRNO "Rush Radio"
VooDoo Broadcast Team: Ken Trahan (play-by-play), Jon Norris (color analyst), Brandon Rizzuto (sideline)
VooDoo on the Internet: www.wrno.com
VooDoo live game feed: www.ustream.tv/NewOrleansVooDoo
VooDoo live statistics: http://livestats.prestosports.com/neworleansvoodoo
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