Week 15 Preview: Sharks at VooDoo
Published on June 19, 2014 under Arena Football League (AFL)
Jacksonville Sharks News Release
JACKSONVILLE - The Jacksonville Sharks (4-8) head to the Big Easy this week for a matchup against the New Orleans VooDoo (2-10) on Saturday, June 21. Kickoff from Smoothie King Center in New Orleans is set for 8:00 p.m., as the game will air live on AM 600 WBOB, as well as online via ESPN3 and the WatchESPN app for mobile devices.
This is the first of two meetings between the Sharks and VooDoo this season, as Jacksonville holds a 5-1 edge in the all-time series between the two squads. The Sharks swept the VooDoo in 2013, most recently capturing a 58-49 road win in Week 18 of that campaign. Jacksonville enters this week in a must-win situation, as the Sharks are currently two-and-a-half games behind the Tampa Bay Storm (7-6) for the fourth and final playoff spot in the American Conference.
The Sharks had a long weekend to regroup following a 58-48 defeat at the hands of the Orlando Predators last Thursday night. In that game, the Sharks held a 27-14 lead midway through the second quarter, but fell behind by a point at halftime and could not recover. This week, Coach Moss and his squad will focus on building on whatever momentum they can capture during the early stages of the game.
Though the Sharks' offense averages 50.8 points per game, the team has not hit the 50-mark in each of the last three contests. While quarterback R.J. Archer continues to protect the football well - having thrown 35 touchdowns against just two interceptions in the last six games - against Orlando, the Sharks came up empty on both their final possession of the first half and a crucial drive in the third quarter. Jacksonville will aim to take advantage of every opportunity this week against a New Orleans defense that ranks second-to-last with an average of 58.7 points allowed per game.
Jacksonville hopes to get another strong performance from recent addition Maurice Williams. After factoring in mostly on special teams in his Shark debut two weeks ago, the third-year veteran racked up 199 yards and three touchdowns on his 12 receptions against the Predators, coming up just 11 yards short of tying the single-game franchise record. With a re-tooled receiving corps that now features three rookies, Archer and the Sharks will rely on Williams and fellow veteran Jomo Wilson to use their experience to impact the game.
The Sharks' offense must be wary of a pair of potent playmakers on the other side of the ball, as VooDoo defensive end Mike Alston has racked up nine sacks this season, while defensive back Cameron McGlenn leads the way with eight interceptions.
While the New Orleans defense features a number of veteran playmakers, the VooDoo offense has struggled to find its feet this season. Injuries have not helped matters, as the two quarterbacks who began the season with the team - Kurt Rocco and Ryan Perrilloux - are currently on injured reserve. In their absence, New Orleans head coach Pat O'Hara has turned to rookie Adam Kennedy, who completed 20-of-36 passes for 224 yards, two touchdowns and one interception in his AFL debut against the Cleveland Gladiators last week.
In addition to the transition at quarterback, leading receiver L.J. Castile was recently placed on the "league suspension" list as he works with a team in another league. Castile had accounted for 26 of the VooDoo's 54 touchdown receptions this season. Without Castile in the fold, New Orleans hopes to get an impact from wideout Larry Beavers, who is the League's reigning J. Lewis Small Playmaker of the Week after he returned two kicks for touchdowns and racked up over 300 all-purpose yards against Cleveland.
Though Beavers is certainly a dangerous weapon, Jacksonville's veteran defense will look to capitalize on New Orleans' inexperience on offense. One of the Sharks' newest additions to the front four has proven to be a force, as nose guard James McClinton has racked up at least one sack in each of the last two weeks. If McClinton is able to continue to generate pressure up the middle, it will make life difficult for New Orleans' inexperienced signal caller.
After Saturday's game, the Sharks return home to face the Pittsburgh Power on Sea Best Field on Saturday, June 28. Kickoff for "Halloween in June" is set for 7:00 p.m.
Arena Football League Stories from June 19, 2014
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- Week 15 Preview: Sharks at VooDoo - Jacksonville Sharks
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