VooDoo Return to the Graveyard on Friday Night, Welcome Pittsburgh Power
April 19, 2012 - Arena Football League (AFL)
New Orleans VooDoo News Release
NEW ORLEANS (April 19, 2012) - The New Orleans VooDoo (2-3) will host Pittsburgh Power (2-3) this Friday, April 20 at 7 p.m., bringing some familiar faces back to The Graveyard.
The Power roster is littered with former VooDoo players, including WR P.J. Berry, QB Derek Cassidy, DB John Green and OL Moqut Ruffins - all who played pivotal roles in Pittsburgh Power's AFL record 31-point comeback win last week against the Orlando Predators. The Power defense is also led by former VooDoo head coach Derek Stingley.
Also, VooDoo Assistant Head Coach Maurice Blanding will be going against his former team as well. Blanding served as the defensive coordinator last season in Pittsburgh, guiding the Power to a 9-9 overall record that nearly saw the club go to the postseason.
"We know that Pittsburgh will be ready to play and will have a lot of energy and desire," said VooDoo Head Coach Pat O'Hara about the team's upcoming game. "It will be important for us as a team to play as a team and to concentrate on the things that we do well."
The VooDoo suffered a 62-48 loss last week on the road to the San Antonio Talons. New Orleans led at the midway point, 28-19, in the game but the second half belonged to the Talons, out-scoring the VooDoo 43-20 to get the win. Leading the VooDoo in the game on the offensive side was WR L.J. Castile with 12 receptions for 131 yards and 4 touchdowns - all single-game highs for the second-year player. Over the past two games, Castile has accounted for 20 receptions for 231 yards and 6 touchdowns.
New Orleans on defense has gotten solid performances from its defense over the past three games, forcing 15 turnovers leading to 57 points during that span. JLB Alvin Ray Jackson has four interceptions over the past three games, while rookie DB Jeremy Kellem has recorded a takeaway in every game he has played in with the VooDoo.
Kellem currently ranks third in the League in tackles (36.0), second in passes defended (2.40/game) and is tied for fourth with Jackson in interceptions (4).
"We have been playing at a high level, but we need to be able to sustain momentum and finish," said O'Hara. "I am confident that after our film session on Monday and our solid week of practice that we have improved. We have a young team; we learn and get better every week."
Last season, the Power defeated the VooDoo 56-49. In the loss, the VooDoo had three turnovers - all fumbles - that led to Power points. The loss added to the VooDoo's home losing streak that was recently ended against the Tampa Bay Storm last time out in The Graveyard.
VooDoo on Television: Cox 4 (tape delayed locally)
VooDoo on the Radio: 99.5 FM WRNO "Rush Radio"
VooDoo Broadcast Team: Ken Trahan (play-by-play), Jon Norris (color), Jimmy Frederick (sideline)
VooDoo on the Internet: www.wrno.com
VooDoo live game feed: www.ustream.tv/NewOrleansVooDoo
VooDoo live statistics: http://livestats.prestosports.com/neworleansvoodoo/
• Discuss this story on the Arena Football League message board...
Arena Football League Stories from April 19, 2012
- Charlie Hunt Activated from IR - Jacksonville Sharks
- Gladiators QB John Dutton Named One of 25 Greatest Quarterbacks in AFL History - Cleveland Gladiators
- Talons' Quiroga Voted Week 6 National Guard MVP - AFL
- 'Leaping Legend' to Join the Command - WR Keith Eloi Headed to KC - Kansas City Command
- Top 25 QBs in AFL History: No. 6-15 - AFL
- Top 25 Players in AFL History: #19 Darryl Hammond - AFL
- Milwaukee Mustangs and Principal Financial Platform - Milwaukee Mustangs
- Philadelphia Soul Ready to Weather the Storm - Philadelphia Soul
- VooDoo Return to the Graveyard on Friday Night, Welcome Pittsburgh Power - New Orleans VooDoo
- Orlando Predators Acquire DL Shawn Lemon - Orlando Predators
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
