Week 14 Preview: Pittsburgh Power at Orlando Predators
Tuesday June 18, 2013
Saturday, June 22 – 7:00 pm EDT
Amway Center – Orlando, FL
TV: thisTV Pittsburgh
Radio: TribLIVE Radio SportsTalk
Live Stream: AFL Access
All-Time Series: Tied 2-2
THE GAME
The Pittsburgh Power (3-9) visit the Orlando Predators (4-8) this Saturday, June 22, for an AFL American Conference rematch. The two teams met in Week 7 with the Predators victorious 52-38 at CONSOL Energy Center. The game marked the debut of 18-year AFL veteran quarterback Aaron Garcia for the Predators. After starting the season 0-5, Orlando is 4-3 with Garcia at the helm.
Last week, the Power fell at home 59-21 to the East Division leading Philadelphia Soul and the Predators grabbed their fourth win of the season beating the Cleveland Gladiators 62-55 in Orlando.
POWER TO WATCH | OFFENSE
Passing: Seeing action for the first time since breaking his hand in Week 6, quarterback Shane Austin completed 18 passes for 269 yards and 3 touchdowns against Philadelphia.
Receiving: Three-year Power veteran wide receiver Mike Washington leads all receivers with 97 catches for 1,080 yards and 21 touchdowns. Washington has also rushed for 3 touchdowns, scoring a team high 144 points. In 4 games with Pittsburgh, wide receiver Julian Talley has caught 32 passes for 386 yards and 8 touchdowns.
PREDATORS TO WATCH | OFFENSE
Passing: Quarterback Aaron Garcia has completed 63.5% of his passes for 1,839 yards and 40 touchdowns in 6 games.
Receiving: Wide receivers T.T. Toliver and Prechae (PREE-shay) Rodriguez head the receiving corps for Orlando. Toliver has recorded 83 catches for 1,059 yards and 15 touchdowns. Rodriguez has chipped in 74 catches for 993 yards and team highs 26 touchdowns and 156 points.
POWER TO WATCH | DEFENSE
Defense: Power defensive back Sergio Gilliam and jack linebacker Alvin Ray Jackson lead Pittsburgh’s defensive efforts. Gilliam has a team high 66.5 tackles, which ranks him fifth in the AFL. He also has 16 pass breakups and 4 interceptions, including two returned for touchdowns. Jackson has added 55.5 tackles and 2 interceptions. Defensive back Chris LeFlore has added 48.5 tackles, 10 pass breakups, and 1 interception for the Power defense.
PREDATORS TO WATCH | DEFENSE
Defense: Leading Orlando’s defensive efforts is defensive back Dominic Jones with 53.5 tackles, 1 interception, and 3 pass breakups. Defensive back Marcus Everett has chipped in with 34 tackles and 7 pass breakups.
POWER TO WATCH | SPECIAL TEAMS
Kick Returns: Defensive back Chris LeFlore has 41 kick returns for 727 yards and 1 touchdown.
PREDATORS TO WATCH | SPECIAL TEAMS
Kick Returns: Ranked second the league in kick returns is Predators defensive back Dominic Jones with 1,116 yards on 54 returns and 3 touchdowns.
UP NEXT
The Power return home to CONSOL Energy Center next Saturday, June 29, hosting the New Orleans VooDoo. The game will be broadcast on TribLIVE Radio SportsTalk. Kick off is at 7:00 pm EDT.
For continuous updates of players, games, and Power news follow the team on social media @AFLPittsburgh. For live in-game updates follow @PowerGameday.
