Daily League News & Notes

Arena Football League

VooDoo: All Purple Everything

The New Orleans VooDoo unveiled their new look last Saturday night in the Mercedes Benz Superdome.

Last Saturday was the first time in franchise history that the New Orleans VooDoo set foot inside the Mercedes Benz Superdome. The VooDoo sported an all-purple look as a way to kick off their six-game stint of home games in the Superdome. This blast from the past and fan favorite consists of a purple jersey with black and red sleeves. The VooDoo will stay with the traditional white top and purple pants for away games.

The VooDoo travel to South Division rival Tampa Bay to take on the Storm, Saturday, May 4 on the CBS Sports Network at 8 p.m. CT.

Rush to Host First Latin Heritage Night

The Chicago Rush will honor the local Latino population by hosting Latin Heritage Night on Saturday, May 4th against the Philadelphia Soul. The evening will be highlighted by appearances by notable local Hispanic individuals and groups.

"We're very excited to host our first Latin Heritage Night," said Rush executive vice president Ryan Simmons. "This celebration will bring the excitement of the AFL to Latin American and Hispanic communities in ways that are culturally relevant."

Professional Wrestler and local restaurateur Lisa Marie Varon will be conducting the coin toss immediately prior to the game. Varon, better known as Total Nonstop Action Wrestling's 'Tara', is a six-time TNA Women's Knockout Champion, capturing both singles and tag team titles. Prior to her time with the TNA, she wrestled with the WWE for nearly a decade, earning the WWE Women's Championship twice. In addition to her efforts in the ring, she's a restaurateur who has opened a pizzeria in the Lincoln Park neighborhood. Die-hard fans will be able to snag an autograph from her on the concourse near the South Gate from halftime into the third quarter.

At halftime, the Latino Club of Von Steuben Metropolitan Science Center will be performing a variety of native dances that will feature a "Caribbean Flavor". The club, under the direction of Nilda and Edith Pauley, incorporate Hispanic culture in the Chicagoland area through dance and by making appearances at local senior citizen homes, churches, and community organizations. It is their first venture into the world of professional sports.

In addition, various game day elements will reflect the nature of the evening. Both the Allstate Arena's LED boards as well as a Spanish-language program insert will embrace the culture that the local Hispanic community prides itself upon.

VooDoo Acquire FB Jeramie Richardson

The Arena Football League has assigned FB Jeramie Richardson to the New Orleans VooDoo, announced the VooDoo front office Tuesday, April 30.

Richardson (6-1, 270, Angelo State) comes to the VooDoo from the Orlando Predators where he recorded 3 tackles, one fumble recovery and two rushing touchdowns, so far, this season. In 2012, played in 16 games as a fullback and defensive lineman for the Cleveland Gladiators where he rushed for 40 yards and 14 touchdowns. He also recorded 20.5 tackles and 1.5 sacks on defense. In 2011, Richardson recorded 5.5 tackles, one fumble recovery and two pass breakups in one game with the Utah Blaze.

Champions Professional Indoor Football League

Haymakers Edge Defenders 46-40

The Oklahoma Defenders traveled to Cornhusker country for their first ever meeting with the Lincoln Haymakers on Friday night in an attempt to get back on the winning track after losing to Bloomington last week.

After falling behind 14-0 in the opening minutes of the second quarter, Oklahoma receiver Jason Stephenson fielded a Lincoln kick five yards deep in the end zone and took off the length of the field for the first Defenders score of the contest. Then, after a Haymaker's fumble, Defenders QB David Bowie found Packy Jones the open for the equalizer.

The home side scored with 30 seconds remaining in the first half giving Lincoln a 7 point lead at the intermission. The Haymakers opened the second half with a 27-yard field goal by Benny Hanaphy, extending Lincoln's lead to 24-14. Then on the ensuing possession Defenders running back Kingjack Washington took a handoff from Bowie 39-yards for a touchdown, cutting the Haymaker's lead to 24-21.

Haymaker running back Nick Rhodes took a handoff from quarterback Benny Bolles and ran 11-yards in for a Lincoln score, then Benny Hanaphy struck again for Lincoln with a 21-yard boot with just :45 seconds elapsed in the fourth quarter to give the home team a 34-21 advantage,

Kingjack Washington scored the second of what wound up being three touchdowns on the night at the 13:05 mark of the 4th quarter when he reeled in a 31-yard strike from Bowie, cutting the Haymakers lead to just 6 points at 34-28. Benny Hanaphy then kicked his 3rd successful field goal of the night, this time a 38-yarder to give the home side a 37-28 lead.

Juan Redmon hauled in an 11-yard strike from Bowie to allow the Defenders to cut the Lincoln lead to three, but Brandon Noahr's extra point try was blocked and the Haymakers Willie Horn ran the kick recovery in for two points extending their lead to 39-34. The Haytmakers followed that with an 18-yard run by David Ferris to give Lincoln a 46-34 advantage.

Kingjack Washington scored his final touchdown of the night with just under 90-seconds left in the game, but that was not enough and the game ended with the Defenders on the short side of the scoreboard 46-40. The loss drops them to 2-5 on the season thus far and Lincoln improves to 2-4.

In the end it was the Defenders slow start that had them come up short when the final buzzer sounded, a sentiment echoed by head coach Derek Rasmussen after the game.

"We waited a little too long to get rolling.  I need to figure out a way to get our guys playing the first 3 quarters like they do in the 4th." Rasmussen said, "Again my guys showed resiliency and took the game to the wire. We're an extremely young football team compared to the others, and I know these games will come back to help us down the road."

The Defenders will remain on the road for a matchup with the Wichita Wild on Saturday, May 4th at 7:05pm. The Defenders will return home on May 11 to face the Kansas Koyotes in the Convention Center.

Indoor Football League

Storm Streak vs. IFL's Top Team... Again

The Sioux Falls Storm (5-3) is in uncharted territory. At this point of the year, the 2013 season has been full of peaks and valleys. This is unusual for a team that is so attuned to the top. With a record of 5-3, the Storm is only one game out of the top spot in the league. But the Storm and its fans are a custom to being the team that is chased.not the team doing the chasing.

After losing only one game through the last two seasons, the Storm has lost three of the first eight in 2013. All of them on the road. Every loss, however, has been close. The average margin over those three games has been six points. The first loss of the season came at the hands of the Nebraska Danger on March 2nd in Grand Island, NE. The Storm will get their chance at revenge this Saturday night at the Sioux Falls Arena. The Danger happened to be the top team in the league, holding the best record at 6-2. The Storm is toting a 28-game home win streak. If this sounds familiar.it should.

Two weeks ago, the Storm put their 27-game home streak up against the, then, top team in the league, the Colorado Ice. The Storm, with the help of a sell-out Sioux Falls crowd, kept the streak alive by defeating the Ice, 45-43.

Last week the Storm traveled to Chicago and suffered a last-second loss to the Chicago Slaughter. That loss puts Nebraska at the top spot in the league.and they're coming to Sioux Falls.

This game has more storylines than a movie. The Storm avenging their first loss of the season, while trying to continue a home winning streak that dates back to 2010.and it just happens to be against the top team in the IFL. This has all the makings of an instant classic.

"Another big game at the Storm Shelter. We have the best team in the league coming into our house and we need a full house!" stated Storm Head Coach, Kurtiss Riggs.

The Gas Stop is the official Sponsor of Saturday Night's game. A 7:05pm kickoff is scheduled but come early to check out the 2013 line of Storm apparel.

Tickets are on sale for this weekend's home game against the Nebraska Danger.

Professional Indoor Football League

Game Preview: Steelhawks Look to Tame Lions

The Lehigh Valley Steelhawks (2-4), coming off a series of tough losses, will be battling the Columbus Lions (3-3) when they come to the Valley this Sunday, May 5th for a 4pm game. The game is deemed Health Awareness Night and is presented by St. Luke's University Health Network. It will also feature a Precious Metal Dance clinic prior to the game, and special performance by all the participants at half time.

The Steelhawks defense needs to find its rhythm again as they face a top scoring offense in Columbus. The Lions are led by QB Marcus Jones, he is their top passer (821 yds, 16 tds) and rusher (108 yds, 6 tds). He has found solid targets in three different receivers, all with more than 20 receptions on the season- Maurice Dupree (36 catches, 601 yds, 12 tds), Jarmon Fortsen (21 catches, 229 yds, 3 tds), and Gerald Gales (20 catches, 279 yds, 8 tds).

Lehigh Valley has been dangerous on offense every week. QB Adam Bednarik (1,275 yds, 22 tds, on 69% completion rate) utilizes all his receiving weapons; all three receivers have more than 300 yds already this year- Tom Gilson (46 catches, 412 yds, 7 tds), Tyrone Collins (30 catches, 318 yds, 8 tds), and Torieal Gibson (27 catches, 399 yds, 5 tds).

Kickoff is slated for 4:05 (EST), this Sunday. Steelhawk 2013 home games will be broadcast on Service Electric TV2 Sports.

The Steelhawks will be on the road in Knoxville for their game next week but then will return back home to the Valley for their final two home games of the season May 18th and 25th. The game on the 18th is Non Profit Awareness night and is also a night dedicated to the Race for Adam.

The Steelhawks have been working hard, both on and off the field, filling their roster with a ton of talent and adding great partners to the Steelhawk family. The Steelhawks' 2013 PIFL schedule is now available online and individual and season tickets are available.