Halo

DALLAS -- Even in his 125th consecutive start, quarterback Andy Kelly wanted to make sure he had the right play called.

So with the VooDoo needing a touchdown to regain the lead and facing a crucial third down, Kelly called a timeout to consult with Coach Mike Neu. Then Kelly did what he's been doing for years in the AFL -- he threw a clutch touchdown pass.

Kelly's 11-yard strike to offensive specialist Aaron Bailey late in the fourth quarter gave the VooDoo back the lead in -- what else? -- a seesaw Arena League game. New Orleans went on to a 53-51 victory at AmericanAirlines Center, giving the VooDoo a franchise-record five-game winning streak.

Kelly's fifth touchdown pass was pivotal because of what followed: an interception by defensive back Calvin Spears that helped seal the victory. The turnover was the third forced by the Voodoo, which had two turnovers of its own.

Oh, and New Orleans also needed a fourth-and-13 conversion by Kelly to Thabiti Davis with 44 seconds to go, followed by a 28-yard touchdown pass to Davis, to clinch the victory.

New Orleans (5-1) took a one-half-game lead in the Southern Division over Georgia and Orlando, who play today. The VooDoo has won all five games this season against non-division opponents.

This one wasn't easy. Dallas, which also came in with a 4-1 record, took a 41-38 lead on Jason Shelley's touchdown catch. Then Desperados defensive end Corey Mayfield sacked Kelly in the end zone for a safety. Kelly argued the call to no avail.

Then Kelly regained his composure and led New Orleans back down the field, eventually connecting with Bailey on the winning third-and-10 play at the Dallas 11. The touchdown catch was Bailey's second of the night.

Backup defensive specialist Alvin Porter tried his best to give the VooDoo the key turnover it needed to take control. His interception of Dallas quarterback Clint Stoerner in the end zone spoiled the Desperados' attempt to retake the lead to start the third quarter.

Instead, the VooDoo took the ball at its one-yard line and used just five plays to take a 31-20 lead on Leroy Thompson's one-yard touchdown run.

But after Dallas fullback Ja'Mar Toombs scored to make it 31-27, Kelly returned the favor, throwing an interception at his six-yard line. Toombs scored two plays later on the last play of the third quarter to give the Desperados a 34-31 lead.

Momentum swung in the first half when kick returner Jacques Rumph misplayed a kickoff off the net. Desperados special teamer Bobby Perry recovered the ball in the end zone, giving Dallas its first lead at 17-10.

But New Orleans didn't blink, scoring two touchdowns in the final 1:24 of the half. Kelly threw a seven-yard touchdown pass to Lamont Moore to tie the score again at 17.

After a Dallas field goal made it 20-17, Kelly needed just 27 seconds to give the VooDoo the lead at halftime. He capped a four-play, 45-yard drive with a 10-yard touchdown pass to Bailey, his 12th scoring catch of the season.

Kelly started slowly, completing just five of 11 passes for 33 yards in the first quarter, producing a field goal in two possessions. After missing a short field goal attempt on the VooDoo's first drive, Brian Schmidt made a 32-yarder for a 3-0 lead with 6:11 left in the first quarter.

from Nola.com

saintfan

I was at that game. Most consider the VooDoo the #1 team right now with Dallas 3rd -- and what a game it was. It\'s rare to see an AFL game tied at 3 at the end of the first quarter, but this one was. Neither QB came with his best game, and both defenses played fairly well, but New Orleans made fewer mistakes and won by 2.

...and for what it\'s worth, the Dallas cheerleaders are fuzzylicious!

:thumbsup: