VooDoo Host Critical Game Against Sharks
July 17, 2013 - Arena Football League (AFL)
New Orleans VooDoo News Release
NEW ORLEANS - The New Orleans VooDoo close out their home schedule in a crucial game versus the Jacksonville Sharks this Saturday evening.
Despite a loss to the Arizona Rattlers last weekend, the VooDoo (5-11) still have a shot at the playoffs in the American Conference, but the margin for error is closing rapidly. Meanwhile, the Sharks (10-6) have wrapped up the South Division title and are battling with the Philadelphia Soul for playoff seeding. New Orleans is looking to avenge a 76-30 loss in Jacksonville earlier this season.
VooDoo quarterback Chris Dixon had a rough night against Arizona as he threw four interceptions and just three touchdowns. Dixon will have to rediscover the success he found when he was thrust into the starting role against an aggressive defensive team that has 20 interceptions this season. New Orleans quarterbacks have thrown 32. Receiver Quorey Payne once again stepped up and caught eight passes for 133 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He, along with Larry Beavers, will need to keep playing well if leading receiver Donovan Morgan remains sidelined. Receiver Courtney Smith had his best game of the season against the Sharks (8 rec., 150 yds, TD) and could also be in for another big performance if Morgan is out.
Jacksonville quarterback Bernard Morris holds the league's fifth best completion percentage at 65.1%. He also has 2,419 passing yards and 50 touchdowns. Morris did not see much playing time in the last meeting with the VooDoo, but he has had a solid season and is also third in the league with 270 rushing yards. Fullback Rendrick Taylor has also aided a solid backfield with 173 yards (6th, AFL) and 10 touchdowns. He had season highs of 14 carries and four touchdowns against New Orleans. Receiver Jeron Harvey leads the way for the Sharks and is sixth in the league with 1,478 yards. Fellow receiver Markee White has also eclipsed the 1,000 yard mark with his 97 catches, so the VooDoo will definitely have their hands full with this offense.
The Sharks are also imposing on defense as they boast the fourth and fifth sack leaders in the AFL in Jerry Turner (10.5) and Aaron Robbins (9). Jacksonville leads the league with 39 total sacks, while the VooDoo have forced 27 (tied for 5th, AFL). VooDoo defensive back Cameron McGlenn has been one of the biggest bright spots on the defense with his team-leading six interceptions. He and VooDoo sack leaders Michael Janac and Marlon Favorite, will need to impose their will as they have all season to cause problems against a good Jacksonville offense.
VooDoo kick returner Quorey Payne has remained near the top of the leader board with 1,161 yards in returns (4th, AFL), but Jeff Hughley of the Sharks is not too far behind with 1,029 yards. Payne has four touchdowns, one of which was a missed field goal return. Hughley just has one score from a missed field goal. New Orleans still controls its own destiny in the American Conference playoff race. A win Saturday would mean that the VooDoo would also need to beat Orlando in the final game to nab the fourth seed. The VooDoo and the Sharks square off at 5:00 p.m. this Saturday in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. There is also a live concert after the game featuring Forever Jones and Dez Duron.
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