Soul Look to End Season on a High Note
July 20, 2012 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Philadelphia Soul News Release
PHILADELPHIA (July 20, 2012) - The Eastern Division Champion Philadelphia Soul (14-3) host the Utah Blaze (12-5) for their final regular season game at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, PA at 6:05 p.m. ET this Sunday, July 22. The game can be seen on www.ustream.tv/philadelphiasoul with commentary by Matt Martucci and Barrett Brooks.
The Soul and Blaze meet for the second time in franchise history this weekend in what could prove to be a preview of ArenaBowl XXV. In a battle of the League's top quarterbacks, Philadelphia's Dan Raudabaugh faces his toughest counterpart yet, Utah's Tommy Grady. The Former Utah Utes is the League's No. 1 ranked quarterback in completion percentage (69.9%) and passing touchdowns (137). The Blaze defense will have their hands full with Raudabaugh leading the League's top scoring offense (167 TD).
This game will not only feature a battle on the field, but also behind the benches. Both Soul Head Coach Doug Plank and Blaze Head Coach Ron James are in contention for the NET10 Head Coach of the Year Award. Throughout the 2012 season, both head coaches haven proven their worth to their respective franchises. Coach Plank has turned the Soul from a 6-12 team into an ArenaBowl XXV favorite. Coach James has led the Blaze to the 2012 playoffs and one of the League's best records this season.
Currently on a seven-game win streak, the Philadelphia Soul have clinched the 2012 East Division title and home field advantage throughout the American Conference playoffs. It marks the first time the Soul have made it to the Arena Football League postseason since winning it all in 2008.
The Soul are currently tied with the San Antonio Talons for the best record in the League (14-3), however the team remains focused as they close out the regular season.
"We're not concerned with our record," said Soul head coach Doug Plank. "The team knows that we're playing well right now and we want to continue that play as we head into the playoffs. We're still focused on the goal that we've had since the beginning of the season, which is to bring another championship to Philadelphia."
The Soul's season-long success is due in large part to their quarterback and All-Arena candidate, Dan Raudabaugh. He holds sole possession of the No. 1 spot in Soul single-season history with 110 touchdowns and 4,678 yards passing. Dan ranks No. 2 in the league in yards per attempt (8.9) and total offense average yards per play (8.7). Raudabaugh ranks No. 3 in passing touchdowns (110) and yards per completion (13.3) and No. 4 in total offensive touchdowns (112) and passing efficiency (120.4). Raudabaugh won National Guard MVP of the Game three times and Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Game twice, while being awarded the League's MVP of the Week and Offensive Player of the Week once each in 2012.
Soul fullback Derrick Ross has been a force throughout the entire season, putting himself in contention for National Guard MVP of the Year; Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Year and an All-Arena candidate. Ross has 133 carries for 564 yards and 30 touchdowns - all of which are Soul single-season records. He needs 58 more yards to break AFL single-season high in rushing yards (622), a record he set in 2011. His 30 rushing touchdowns make him the first player in League history to rush for over 30 touchdowns in a single-season twice (39 with Dallas in 2011). His 84 yards against the Orlando Predators in Week 13 was a franchise single-game record, as were his 21 carries. Ross has also added 13 receptions for 187 yards and five touchdowns in the air. Ross earned National Guard MVP of the Game honors four times, Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Game twice, AFL Playmaker of the Game once, while being named the League's MVP of the Week twice.
The 2008 Rookie of the Year and 2011 Second Team All-Arena performer Donovan "Captain" Morgan has proven himself to be among the League's elite receivers. Despite missing seven games due to injury, Morgan has managed to tally 73 receptions for 928 yards and 24 touchdowns. He earned AFL Playmaker of the Week honors in Week 3 after hauling in 12 passes for 112 yards and four touchdowns in the "Keystone Collision". Another four-touchdown performance in Week 14 enabled Morgan to be voted National Guard MVP of the Week. He earned Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Game three times and National Guard MVP of the Game three times in 2012.
Philadelphia's defense has improved as the season has worn on, ranking No. 1 in the League for turnover margin (+20), and No. 2 for interceptions (33). The Soul have returned a League high seven interceptions for touchdowns. The Soul defense is No. 4 with 32 sacks.
Riddell Defensive Player of the Year candidate DL Bryan Robinson has had a record-setting season and been a force in opposing backfields. Robinson set the AFL record for blocked kicks in a single season (7) and is tied for second in the League for tackles for loss (13.0). He is tied for No. 3 in forced fumbles (5) and No. 4 for sacks (10.0). Robinson's 10 sacks set the franchise single-season record, passing Gabe Nyenhuis' 2008 mark. The former Wesley DL earned Riddell Defensive Player of the Game once and National Guard MVP of the Game once in 2012.
Riddell Defensive Player of the Year; RevHoney Defensive Back of the Year and All-Arena candidate Kent Richardson has had a breakout season by setting the Soul record for interceptions in a single season with 14 (Eddie Moten had 13 in 2005). In just his second AFL season, Kent has tallied 73.5 total tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss, 14 interceptions returned for 178 yards and two touchdowns, broken up 13 passes, and recovered two fumbles while forcing three. Richardson is tied for No. 1 in the AFL in interceptions (14), No. 4 in interception return yards (178), No. 5 in passes defended (27) and tied for No. 5 in interception return touchdowns (2). The second-year starter earned Riddell Defensive Player of the Game four times, AFL Playmaker of the Game once and the League's Defensive Player of the Week once in 2012.
Riddell Defensive Player of the Year; RevHoney Defensive Back of the Year and All-Arena candidate DB Rayshaun Kizer is following a record-breaking season in 2011 with another impressive one in 2012. Kizer leads the AFL in passes defended (37) and pass breakups (27). Rayshaun is No. 2 in the AFL for interception return yards (195) and tied with teammate Kent Richardson for No. 5 with two interceptions returned for touchdowns. He is second on the Soul in total tackles (75.0) and is second in interceptions (10). The 2011 All-Arena performer earned Riddell Defensive Player of the Game honors twice in 2012.
The Soul look to finish their record-breaking season on a high note and carry their winning momentum into the playoffs. The team knows there is a lot more work ahead to accomplish their ultimate goal for the 2012 season - winning ArenaBowl XXV.
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