Week 15 Preview Pittsburgh Power vs New Orleans VooDoo

Wednesday June 26, 2013

 Saturday, June 29 – 7:00 pm EDT
CONSOL Energy Center – Pittsburgh, PA
Radio: TribLIVE Radio SportsTalk
Live Stream: AFL Access
All-Time Series: Pittsburgh leads 3-2

THE GAME
The Pittsburgh Power (3-10) return home to CONSOL Energy Center this Saturday, June 29 hosting the New Orleans VooDoo (3-10). The two teams met back in Week 5 with the Power earning their first victory of the season at the New Orleans Arena, 46-43.
Heading into this week’s contest, the Power are coming off of a 50-35 road loss to the Orlando Predators. The VooDoo lost at home to the San Antonio Talons, 56-53.
POWER TO WATCH | OFFENSE
Passing: Quarterback Steven Sheffield heads Pittsburgh’s offense with 104 completions for 1,264 yards and 25 touchdown passes in 5 games with the Power. Sheffield also has recorded 2 rushing touchdowns.
Receiving: Mike Washington has 103 catches for 1,144 yards and 23 touchdowns. A 3-year Power veteran, Washington has also rushed for 3 touchdowns, scoring a team high 156 points. Wide receiver Julian Talley is second amongst Pittsburgh receivers with 487 receiving yards on 41 catches for 9 touchdowns.
VOODOO TO WATCH | OFFENSE
Passing: Quarterback Kurt Rocco leads the VooDoo’s offense completing 53.7% of his passes for 2,106 yards and 44 touchdowns. Rocco has added 4 rushing touchdowns.
Receiving: Wide receivers Donovan Morgan and Courtney Smith head the New Orleans’ receiving stats. Morgan has caught 74 passes for 1,137 yards and 24 touchdowns. Morgan has a team high 144 points. Smith has chipped in 64 catches for 655 yards and 17 touchdowns.
POWER TO WATCH | DEFENSE
Defense: Power defensive back Sergio Gilliam leads the defense with a team high 70.5 tackles, ranking him sixth in the AFL. Gilliam also has 17 pass breakups and 5 interceptions, including 3 returned for touchdowns. Jack linebacker Alvin Ray Jackson (56.5 tackles and 2 interceptions) and defensive back Chris LeFlore (51.5 tackles and 12 pass breakups) contribute to Pittsburgh’s defensive efforts.
VOODOO TO WATCH | DEFENSE
Defense: Defensive back Demarcus Robinson has recorded a team high 51 tackles and middle linebacker James Bryant has 40 tackles and 2 sacks for New Orleans.
POWER TO WATCH | SPECIAL TEAMS
Kick Returns: Defensive back Chris LeFlore has 44 kick returns for 777 yards and 1 touchdown.
PREDATORS TO WATCH | SPECIAL TEAMS
Kick Returns: Wide receiver Quorey Payne has 46 kick returns for 921 yards and 3 touchdowns.
UP NEXT
The Power hit the road next Saturday, July 6, visiting division rival Cleveland Gladiators. 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.