Predators hold on to playoff hopes with win over VooDoo

Friday June 13, 2008

The season of the 2008 Orlando Predators changed in an instant with just 12 minutes to go in their whirlwind year.  New Orleans VooDoo quarterback Danny Wimprine fumbled a snap in the end zone which resulted in the first Predators safety of the season that gave the Predators a 44-42 lead in the 4th quarter that they would never relinquish.  The Preds (9-7) knocked off the VooDoo (8-7) by the count of 51-49 in front of 13,423 at Amway Arena on Friday night.

Unlike in last week’s contest against the Tampa Bay Storm, the defense came out firing on all cylinders, holding the VooDoo scoreless on three drives in the first quarter.  The scoring opened on the first Orlando possession as Preds quarterback Shane Stafford hooked up with Odie Armstrong for a 19-yard touchdown pass.  Both Jason Perry and John Mohring recorded interceptions of Wimprine in the quarter and the Predators led 7-0 heading into the second.

Preds Head Coach Jay Gruden was not pleased with his team’s inability to take advantage of the three stops in the opening session.

“I just wish we would’ve taken advantage of the three defensive stops we got in the first quarter,” Gruden said. “I think 21-0 would have been the way I would have liked to see it.”

The points flew on the board in the second quarter but unfortunately for the Preds, 27 of them belonged to New Orleans.  After the Predators missed a field goal on a sluggish drive to start the quarter, Perry was called for an intentional pass interference call that moved the VooDoo from their own 10 to the Predators 1-yard line.  Wimprine scored on the ground on the next play to knot the score at 7-7.

Stafford hooked up with wide receiver Levon Thomas on the next drive to put the Preds back in front, but a 44-yard touchdown pass from Wimprine to James Jordan made it 14-14 with 5:07 left in the second quarter.

New Orleans surprised the Preds by going onside on the next kickoff as James Lynch rumbled into the end zone from 20 yards out to give the VooDoo their first lead of the game at 21-14.  They tried the onside kick again on their next kickoff, but Thomas picked up the ball and walked into the end zone to tie the game once again at 21.

The scoring in the half ended on Wimprine’s second touchdown run of the half.  The VooDoo led 27-21 at halftime.

During the intermission, the Predators honored one of the greatest players in league history, the legendary Barry Wagner.  He was presented with a #82 jersey and became the seventh member of the Predators Ring of Honor.  During an emotional speech, the Jungle faithful chanted “BAR-RY!  BAR-RY!” sending off the league’s all-time best Ironman in style.

Armstrong continued his strong game with his first rushing touchdown of the season to open the second half to give the Preds a 28-27 lead.  The teams traded scores after that, but on New Orleans’ next possession, which concluded with a 15-yard touchdown pass from Wimprine to Isaiah Ross, the VooDoo faked the extra point took a 42-35.

Stafford threw his fourth touchdown pass of the game to open the final stanza to knot the score at 42.  It was on the first play of the next possession that the Predators took control by recording the safety.

With the season on the line, Armstrong showed determination as he busted through the line of scrimmage and romped 25 yards for the touchdown that put the Preds up nine points at 51-42.  It was the first two score lead in the game.

Armstrong finished the game with 55 total yards and three touchdowns, earning him Ironman of the Game honors.

After former Predator Javarus Dudley scored to make it 51-49 with 7:33 remaining, Orlando had a chance to put a stamp on the game, but turned the ball over on downs to give the VooDoo one more chance to steal the victory.

But true to the history of the black and red, the defense made the biggest stand of the year when Darrell Campbell got pressure on Wimprine, forcing him to throw an incomplete pass on fourth down to give the Predators the ball back.

Stafford connected with Thomas on a 15-yard pass on third down and 5 to move the chains for the Predators and end the game.  Thomas led the Predators with a career-high 12 catches for 139 yards and two touchdowns.  He was awarded Offensive Player of the Game honors.

Stafford overcame a rough start to finish 23 of 36 for 219 yards and four touchdowns, which ended his 2008 season with a Preds single-season record 81 touchdown passes.

Perry paced the Orlando defense with 6 tackles and an interception and was named Defensive Player of the Game.

With a Week 17 bye on the horizon, the Predators must sit and play the waiting game.  They could still win the Southern Division if the following scenario plays out.

-Georgia loses to Chicago on Saturday and San Jose in Week 17, and Tampa Bay loses to San Jose on Saturday

If they cannot win the division, they are still in prime position to take a playoff spot, but will still need some help to get in.  They will clinch a playoff spot if one of the following scenarios…

-1 Tampa Bay loss and 2 Cleveland losses
-1 Tampa Bay loss and 2 Cleveland wins
-1 Tampa Bay loss and 2 New York losses
-1 Tampa Bay loss and a New Orleans loss to Grand Rapids in Week 17
-2 Cleveland losses and 2 New York losses
-2 Cleveland losses and a New Orleans loss to Grand Rapids in Week 17
-2 New York losses and a New Orleans loss to Grand Rapids in Week 17