Flippers First Look: Preds Focus on Flight Heading Into Week 7

Orlando, FLA -- The Orlando Predators (2-3) are set to wrap up their two game home stand by welcoming the New Jersey Flight (2-3) for a rematch on Saturday, July 10th at 7:00 PM at the Amway Center in Orlando, FL.

The winner of this game will break even with a .500 winning percentage (3-3) and share a tie for third place in the National Arena League standings. 

In Week 5, Orlando fell to New Jersey 58-40 on June 25th on the road at the CURE Insurance Arena in Trenton, NJ.

Although the eighteen point loss was the Preds' worst this season, defensive back Brandon Feuntes halted Jersey’s third unanswered score by intercepting a pass in Orlando’s own end zone and returned it for a Predators pick six.

The game also served as the Preds first experience without starting quarterback Bryan Hicks, and was replaced by Faseduo Sucedo. 

Following the loss to the Flight, Orlando signed quarterback Patrick O’Brien who ended up winning Inside the Arena’s Week 6 National Arena League MVP after his impressive performance. O’Brien finished the matchup completing 21 of his 34 passes while posting up 181 passing yards and four touchdown passes. O’Brien also tallied two rushing touchdowns to his resume in his first start as a Pred.

Since the last time these two teams met, the Preds came away with a 52-41 win at home in their last outing against the 2019 NAL Defending Champion Jacksonville Sharks. 

The Flight enjoyed a week off in Week 6 and have had time to recoup before traveling to Orlando.

The Orlando Predators have three players listed on their injury report for week 7, they also announced today the retirement of their star quarterback Bryan Hicks, the NAL Veteran will continue to work in football while healing from injuries as he moves forward towards a coaching career.  

DB- Josh Jenkins, Groin (Probable)

DL- Josh Smith, Finger (Probable)

WR- Donovan Rasberry, Knee (Probable)

About the Orlando Predators: 

The Orlando Predators are a professional Arena Football team based in Orlando, Florida and a member of the National Arena League (NAL).  The team was founded in 1991 as an expansion team of the Arena Football League (AFL). The team advanced to the playoffs 19 consecutive seasons between 1992 and 2011, becoming the Arena Bowl champions in 1998 and 2000 during that span. The team plays their home games at the Amway Center in beautiful Downtown Orlando, FL. For more information about the Orlando Predators visit www.orlandopredatorsfootball.com.