VooDoo go from pretenders to contenders

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By Brad Esta

Last year, the New Orleans VooDoo sold out for every home game thanks to season ticket holders. However, the VooDoo were not very impressive themselves, as they would finish the season 5-11. The high point of the season would be when they beat the eventual AFL Champions, the San Jose Sabercats.

For those of you who do not know, the New Orleans VooDoo is part of the Arena Football League. They play their home games at the New Orleans arena, which is called the “Graveyard” when the VooDoo play. If you would like to learn more about arena football, visit the AFL Web site at ArenaFootball.com and click on the link “AFL 101.”

This is a new season, and thankfully so. The VooDoo have been very impressive so far on the new year. The season started out with a bang as Wendell Williams returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown. Calvin Spears who played his college ball at Grambling State, would intercept a pass on the VooDoo’s first defensive possession of the season, and the VooDoo would cash it in to take a 13-0 lead. The VooDoo would ride their quick start to a 33-28 halftime lead.

In the second half, however, things would begin to unravel as the VooDoo starting quarterback Steve Bellisari, would take a hit to his right knee. Bellisari would throw three interceptions in the game as the VooDoo would only score nine points in the second half and lose to the Los Angeles Avengers 59-42.

The VooDoo would come home for their home opener, in which they are now 4-0, after beating the Orlando Predators in an exciting 54-53 thriller. With Steve Bellisari out, Danny Wimprine would get the starting job; it would be his first start of his career. Wimprine was a three-year starter at a local high school, John Curtis, where he led his team to back-to-back state champions. He started off his AFL career the right way, with an important win over a division rival.

In their third game of the season, the VooDoo decided to do some rewriting in the history books. They dismantled the Tampa Bay Storm by the final of 76-55, to improve their record to 2-1 overall. After a 14-14 tie in the first quarter, the VooDoo defense would step and hold the Storm to zero points in the second half, while scoring 34 to take a 48-14 halftime lead. The 34 point second quarter became the most points scored in a single quarter in VooDoo team history. Also, the VooDoo set a franchise record with 48 points in the first half.

The VooDoo continued their perfect streak at home while making their overall record 3-1. The VooDoo jumped out to an early 21-0 lead after the first quarter and would never look back. They won the game easily 63-24. At the end of the first half, Wendall Williams returned a missed field goal for a touchdown as time expired for the second straight week. On the defensive side, Calvin Spears recorded three interceptions in the game.

The VooDoo would go back on the road to face the Colorado Crush. It turned out to be another thrilling game that would come out in favor of the VooDoo. New Orleans won 54-51, making their record an impressive 4-1. They came back from a four-point deficit with just two and a half minutes left in the game to win. After the offense scored, the defense stepped up as Lin-J Shell would intercept a pass in the end zone as time expired.

In the sixth game of the season, the VooDoo tied their wins total from the season before as they would go on to dismantle the champions in the San Jose Sabercats by the final of 72-43. The fifth straight victory tied the team record. Also in the game, Danny Wimprine hit Javarus Dudley for a 47-yard TD pass which is the longest scoring pass in VooDoo history.

The VooDoo would fall victim to the Dallas Desperados the following week, losing 55-44. The Desperados, however, continued their winning ways as they improved to 7-0 with the win over the VooDoo who were now 5-2.

The VooDoo then took on the Arizona Rattlers, which they would make easy work of. After a 17-0 first quarter, the VooDoo would stroll to a 60-36 win. Only halfway through the season, the VooDoo had surpassed their take away total from the season before. The VooDoo would head back to the “Graveyard” where they were undefeated with a 6-2 record.

The VooDoo would take on the winless Utah Blaze at home. With an interception in the first quarter, Norman LeJeune, former LSU player, had his sixth interception of the season and fourth straight game overall. The VooDoo would use a 21-7 second quarter to take over the game and come out with the win to push their record to 7-2.

Danny Wimprine has done an outstanding job in taking over for Steve Bellisari. His numbers speak for themselves as he has thrown 48 touchdowns compared to only three interceptions, to go along with a 63.5 percent completion ratio, and a 122.8 QB rating. James Jordan leads the VooDoo with 776 receiving yards as well as 25 touchdowns.

The defense has been the story of the VooDoo: Calvin Spears has eight interceptions, Norman LeJeune has six and both Lin-J Shell and Keon Raymond have four apiece. After a disappointing season last year, the VooDoo are looking very impressive this year, and hopefully they can continue their winning ways all the way to Arena Bowl XXII which will be played in the New Orleans Arena.

Originally Published: Issue 607 - May 6, 2008

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