Preds Attack as VooDoo Retreat
Jason Lucas
Wednesday May 25, 2005
In the first half the Predators dominated every aspect of the game and jumped out to a 28-7 lead, after they had just sacked VooDoo quarterback Andy Kelly for a safety. On the ensuing kickoff Predators wide receiver/defensive back Michael Brown returned the ball out near midfield. After the play the VooDoo players inexplicably took off for the locker room with a second remaining in the half. The officials, the Predator players and even the public address announcer had to call the VooDoo back onto the field. This was symbolic of their first half performance signifying that they did not want anything to do with the Predators and why should they? Coming into this game the VooDoo had never beaten the Predators in three previous tries.
The VooDoo were held to only 68 total yards in the first half including negative three yards on six rushing attempts. The dominance established by the Predator defense in the first half is what made the difference in this game. It was almost like the old days of Predator defense inside their own five-yard line. On three consecutive plays the VooDoo could not get in from inside the five. On fourth down Dawan Moss ran a sweep to the left and was stuffed by E.J. Burt originally and then stripped by Idris Price, Doug Miller would recover the fumble for the Predators ending a VooDoo drive that was 12 plays and eight minutes long. After many discussions with my colleagues at the game we decided this was our play of the game.
The second half saw things get a little more interesting as the VooDoo seemed to finally decide to show up. Kelly wasted no time taking the VooDoo down the field to cut the Predators lead to 28-14 at the 12:04 mark of the third quarter. Just over two minutes later Joe Hamilton did one of those things that you teach your quarterback never to do. Hamilton went to throw and he fumbled, then instead of falling on the ball and covering it up, he attempted to pick the ball up with three VooDoo players surrounding him. He ran right by the ball and Thabiti Davis picked it up and finished it off with a seven-yard return for a touchdown cutting the Predators lead to 28-20 after Kicker Brian Schmitz missed the extra point.
The Predators would add a Jay Taylor field goal to take a 31-20 lead into the fourth quarter.
At the 14:15 mark of the fourth quarter the VooDoo got as close as they would get when Kelly hit Aaron Bailey for a five-yard touchdown making the score 31-26 after another missed extra point by Schmitz.
The Predators busted the game open at 41-26 when Hamilton scored on a 1-yard QB sneak on fourth down and goal.
From there the Predators defense took over and shut down the VooDoo in the closing minute of the game to preserve the victory.
Interesting Side Note
In this game the Predators took the ball first and once again sputtered around and were forced into a long field goal try. I can not remember a game all season long where the Predators received the opening kickoff and took the ball down the field for a touchdown. However, when they start on defense first and whether they give up a score or not the offense usually comes out and answers quickly with a score of their own.
If you have read my column all season long you have seen me complain about when the Predators get the ball first versus playing defense first and how setting the tone on defense is a big deal for this team especially. So now maybe you will arrive to games earlier so you make sure not to miss the coin toss.
Playoffs
Well, it is that time once again for the playoffs to start. I can not believe it came up this fast after I have been to 14 regular season games this year here we go with the big games. The Predators will travel to New York on Sunday afternoon to face the Dragons in what renews a friendly rivalry between our fans and theirs. Oh and a couple of pretty darn good football teams as well. Both teams come into this game with a 10-6 record, however when you look at the schedules and the head to head match-up of the regular season, it is very clear to see who the better team is.
The Predators took the regular season battle with the Dragons 72-60 in the Jungle on April 15. Not only that, the Predators won that game with back-up QB Chris Sanders playing the entire second half. The Predator defense tightened up in that game as well forcing Dragons QB Aaron Garcia into some unadvised passes that they were able to intercept.
If the Predator defense can get that kind of pressure on Garcia he will be in for a long day of punishing hits as he usually is when he plays against a southern division team. A couple weeks ago the Tampa Bay Storm bloodied Garcia on their way to a victory leaving the Dragons 1-3 against southern division teams this season, the only win being over the Georgia Force early in the season.
With the return of Hamilton and Jimmy Fryzel from injury and the return of Jerrian James from suspension the Predators are the healthiest they have been since preseason camp.
The big question in town is, are the Predators the right team at the right time? Sunday could be a start of something good or the end of another disappointing season.
Jason Lucas is a part-time freelance writer based in the Orlando, Florida area. A former director of media relations with the Orlando Predators, Jason is making his return to Arenafan.com after a short stint as a public relations assistant with the UFL‘s Florida Tuskers in 2010. Lucas has followed the AFL since 1992 and began covering the Predators for Arenafan during the 2004 season. He held that position until being picked up by the Preds front office after the 2007 season. Jason‘s knowledge of arena football and love of the game is what drives him to continue covering the sport.