NEW ORLEANS VOODOO

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Philadelphia Soul wins ArenaBowl XXII, 59-56

by David Gladow, NOLA.com

Sunday July 27, 2008, 6:07 PM

David Gladow / NOLA.comPhiladelphia defeated San Jose 59-56 in ArenaBowl XXII.

NEW ORLEANS - A novelty just became a champion. The Philadelphia Soul, most well known for being a dalliance by rock star Jon Bon Jovi, used superstar performances from two of its players, quarterback Matt D'Orazio and wide receiver Chris Jackson, to overwhelm the San Jose Sabercats and hang on to win Arena Bowl XXII, 59-56.

D'Orazio threw for 302 yards with 7 touchdown passes while Jackson roamed the San Jose secondary to the tune of 11 catches for 146 yards and 3 touchdown catches.

Still, the biggest play of the game may have come courtesy of a defender: defensive back Eddie Moten, whose first-half interception turned a back-and-forth affair into a relatively one-sided one.

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ArenaBowl: Soul 52, Sabercats 34 (6:04, 4th Quarter)

by David Gladow, NOLA.com

Sunday July 27, 2008, 5:41 PM

David Gladow / NOLA.comThe Sabercats didn't see enough of this to win this afternoon.

So Chris Jackson has 10 receptions for 136 yards with 3 touchdowns. Think that's good? Well, each quarterback has at least 225 yards and five touchdowns throwing the ball. I'd say that's still a touch better.

In a fun touch, the league is posting the fan voting results live on the jumbotron ... so far the voting is pretty even, though it looks like Jackson has the early lead. Somewhat surprising, but it's not like the guy isn't dominating either.

The folks in charge just announced an attendance of 17,244. That's surely a tickets sold number rather than an actual attendance figure, but still, it's a solid number and a nice feather in the AFL's cap (not to mention New Orleans').

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ArenaBowl: Soul 46, Sabercats 34 (End 3rd Quarter)

by David Gladow, NOLA.com

Sunday July 27, 2008, 5:20 PM

David Gladow / NOLA.comWill it be celebration time for the Soul soon?

Pressbox chatter: does this break the Philadelphia sports curse? Much has been made of the city struggling to win a championship for the better part of 40 years now, but does this count as a notch in the belt so to speak for Philly?

Whatever the answer is, at least they still have the cheesesteak. As a sammich appreciator, I have to say that's not a bad place to start.

But as far as this game is concerned, it's still not quite over. The Soul still has a ways to go to lock it down (a quarter in fact).

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Soul 44, Sabercats 27 (7:10, 3rd Quarter)

by David Gladow, NOLA.com

Sunday July 27, 2008, 5:00 PM

David Gladow / NOLA.comThe New Orleans Arena hosted the ArenaBowl for the second straight year.

Collectively, the quarterbacks here today have amassed 384 yards and eight touchdowns in a half of play. If the AFL was at all scared of a boring championship game, it appears it need not worry any longer.

That scoring figures to continue in the second half, with neither team showing much in the way of a consistent defense. I mean, sure, the Soul notched a fourth-down stop and an interception thus far, but also gave up 27 points. This is Arena Football after all.

MVP watch? The two quarterbacks have to lead the way, given their obscene numbers to this point, but also keep your eye on Moten, who has the game's biggest play to date (in the form of his interception) and the receivers (of whom I'd have to say Chris Jackson leads).

It's still anyone's game though.

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Soul 37, Sabercats 27 (Halftime)

by David Gladow, NOLA.com

Sunday July 27, 2008, 4:28 PM

David Gladow / NOLA.comThe Arena isn't technically packed, but the fans have still turned out in good numbers.

Hmm, some empty seats in here. And I know lots of folks are probably getting a jump on the halftime concession crowds, but still, more empties here than I expected for a sellout. I suspect some New Orleans natives chose to stay home this afternoon, which is fair enough, but they're missing a fun game all the same.

I hear rumors that the first Super Bowl was like this (less than overwhelming crowd support), so at least the AFL has nothing to feel depressed about today.

The pregame stuff was fun, and yesterday's events were well-attended as well. It's just a work in progress for these guys ... lots of competition out there for folks' entertainment dollars (and undivided attention).

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Sabercats 20, Soul 20 (8:22, 2nd Quarter)

by David Gladow, NOLA.com

Sunday July 27, 2008, 3:52 PM

David Gladow / NOLA.comThis game is looking as easy as pregame drills for both offenses.

After a quarter of play, Grieb is 11-of-15 for 113 yards and two touchdowns. Meanwhile, D'Orazio is 4-of-4 for 84 yards and two touchdowns. Slight difference in yards per attempt there, but both guys have been very effective.

For those curious about the time of possession battle (since it seems to be such a key strategy for San Jose), the Sabercats are winning it 10:38 to 4:22. We'll see if that eventually pays off for 'em.

Of more interest to me is which team will make the first mistake and turn it over. Neither offense has made a mistake to date, and as is the custom in the AFL, the defenses have been on their heels. I'm thinking the first turnover may actually play a big role in deciding this.

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ArenaBowl: Sabercats 14, Soul 14 (End 1st Quarter)

by David Gladow, NOLA.com

Sunday July 27, 2008, 3:36 PM

David Gladow / NOLA.comYes, this is the AFL. Any questions?

This game is definitely being treated like a genuine sporting event from a media perspective. Pregame meal (no hamburgers or hotdogs today), internal public address (a staple at most larger football games) and a ton of AFL officials running around trying to help everyone. VooDoo games are a much more laidback atmosphere, but I'd say it's good the league is doing its best to be taken seriously. In some circles, Arena Football is still looked at as little better than professional wrestling. The best way to change that opinion is to treat one's product seriously (though we can still have some fun in the process).

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ArenaBowl: Sabercats 7, Soul 7 (8:56, 1st Quarter)

by David Gladow

Sunday July 27, 2008, 3:21 PM

David Gladow / NOLA.comThe VooDoo mascots get all the ladies.

I gotta say, I liked the Miss America rendition of God Bless America. I'd thought her involvment this weekend was odd at best, but it now becomes so clear ... girl can sing. It was a great performance.

Still, wouldn't it have been pretty cool to have Bon Jovi perform in the pregame in some fashion? He and Ritchie could have busted out the leather pants, kicked it old-school, then ran back up to the owners box. Likely? No. Fun? Yes.

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