Soul Outlast VooDoo On Friday Night
Sunday May 29, 2011
NEW ORLEANS (May 27, 2011) – The New Orleans VooDoo (2-9) fell victim to the Philadelphia Soul (4-7) on Friday night, 70-49, in the Wells Fargo Center.
New Orleans was led by wide receiver/kick returner PJ Berry with 270 yards all-purpose, notching his seventh game of the season of 200-plus all-purpose yards. Berry had a total of three touchdowns in the loss, with one coming on a 55-yard kickoff return in the second quarter. It was his fourth kick return touchdown of the season, and first on the road.
The VooDoo also got interception returns for touchdowns by Matt Jackson and Alvin Jackson, but it wouldn’t be enough.
“We made some plays on defense, but still a lot of mistakes,” said head football coach Derek Stingley. “We also didn’t move the ball effectively on offense, and it showed in the final outcome.”
New Orleans had a total 147 yards of total offense to Philadelphia’s 309, and was out-thrown in the passing department, 280-to-137.
The VooDoo scored on the first play from scrimmage as Matt Jackson intercepted Soul quarterback Ryan Vena, and took it to pay dirt from 16 yards out to draw first blood with 14:23 in the first quarter. Jonathon Ruffin’s point after attempt failed, and the VooDoo led 6-0.
It would be the last lead that New Orleans would tend to for the entirety of the game, as the Soul scored 14 unanswered points to go up 14-6 early in the second quarter.
The VooDoo would come within five points twice in the second half, with the first via a 46-yard field goal by Ruffin to cut into the score, 14-9, with 11:33 left until halftime. The other was courtesy of a 13-yard touchdown strike from D. Bryant to Berry to cut the lead, 21-16, with 5:22 left until the midway point. D. Bryant finished the game 14-of-26 for 157 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions.
However the Soul scored back-to-back touchdowns, both by Syvelle Newton to extend the lead 35-16 with 38 seconds left in the half.
Berry then provided the spark the VooDoo needed by taking the ensuing kickoff one-handed off the net 55 yards for the touchdown to cut the lead, 35-23. However, the Soul snuck another on the scoreboard in the closing seconds to take an 18-point, 41-23, lead to halftime.
New Orleans did out-score Philadelphia in the third quarter, 20-to-14, but failed to carry the momentum in the fourth quarter.
The VooDoo will return to the Graveyard on Friday, June 3 to take on the AFL’s best team in the Jacksonville Sharks (9-1). The game is the final of three consecutive home games appearing on the NFL Network.
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About the New Orleans VooDoo
The New Orleans VooDoo will play in the New Orleans Arena, an SMG managed facility directly across the street from the Louisiana Superdome. Single game tickets for VooDoo regular season home games are on sale now by calling 504-875-3900. For more information call (888) 277-5526 for Vice President and Director of Operations, Jason Coffel.
About the AFL
Since its inception in 1987, the AFL has afforded the fast-paced and exciting game of Arena Football to millions of fans in a myriad of markets across the country. The NFL Network will once again broadcast an AFL National Game of the Week for the entire regular and post season on Friday nights at 8:00 pm EST, culminating with the ArenaBowl Championship Game in August.
