VooDoo Take on Storm Tonight
May 30, 2014 - Arena Football League (AFL)
New Orleans VooDoo News Release
NEW ORLEANS (May 30, 2014) - The New Orleans VooDoo (2-7) continue their two-game home stand as the Tampa Bay Storm pay a visit this Friday night.
Last week, the VooDoo suffered a tough loss to the Iowa Barnstormers, but they will look to rebound against their South Division rivals. New Orleans hopes to avenge a 62-57 loss at Tampa Bay in the 2014 season opener. The Storm (4-6) are hoping to gain momentum after their 56-35 win over Jacksonville last week snapped a five-game losing streak.
VooDoo head coach Pat O'Hara will also be facing his former team, a place where he thrived as a quarterback. In 2003 O'Hara came off the bench and led the Storm to an ArenaBowl championship. O'Hara will also see a familiar face as Tampa Bay offensive coordinator Doug Miller returns to New Orleans. Miller spent the last two seasons in the same position with the VooDoo.
Kurt Rocco sustained a right knee injury against Iowa, so Ryan Perrilloux will start at Quarterback for the VooDoo. Coming into tonight's game Perrilloux has started one other game this season in week 3 against Cleveland. Perrilloux is 42-77-8 for 444 yards and 8 touchdowns on the season. VooDoo receiver L.J. Castile also sits on the league leaderboard as his 826 yards is good enough for tenth in the AFL. He is also second in the league with 25 touchdowns. Receiver Quorey Payne returned to action last week after missing five games and recorded seven receptions for a team-high 76 yards and four touchdowns. At the midseason point, the VooDoo lead the league in rushing touchdowns with 23.
Storm signal caller Randy Hippeard is currently fourth in the AFL with 2,478 yards. He has also thrown 54 touchdowns. Receiver Amarri Jackson is only slightly ahead of Castile with 831 yards, but he has about half of Castile's touchdown total with 13. Jackson was held to his lowest output against the VooDoo in Week 1 (4 catches, 51 yards) Joe Hills is the Storm's touchdown leader with 15, but he did not play against the VooDoo in the previous game.
Defender Mike Alston has been a key playmaker for New Orleans this season. Alston has eight sacks on the year, which is third in the AFL. The VooDoo are in a three-way tie for fourth with 17 sacks as a team. Defensive back Cameron McGlenn was held without an interception last week, but he still sits in fourth in the league with seven total. McGlenn did get a chance to return a missed field goal in the loss to Iowa.
The Storm's Richard Clebert leads his team with five sacks (T-7 th AFL). Defensive back Chris Smith is just behind McGlenn on the interceptions leaderboard with six. Smith had an interception and a fumble recovery against the VooDoo in Week 1.
Tampa Bay kick returner Michael Lindsey leads the AFL in kick return yardage with 1,020. He is currently the only kick returner in the league above 1,000 yards. Lindsey's 154 yards against New Orleans in Week 1 is a season-high. The VooDoo's Larry Beavers is currently sixth in the league with 677 yards. Beavers recorded a season-high 132 kick return yards last week.
The two division rivals kick off at 7:30 p.m. at the Smoothie King Center. Fans who can't make it to the game can listen live on 99.5-FM, and watch on Pelican Sports Network. A live stream is also available outside the New Orleans viewing area on WatchESPN. The VooDoo take to the road the next two weeks before returning home on June 21.
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