Game Preview: Soul Look to Stay Undefeated at Home
July 9, 2015 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Philadelphia Soul News Release
PHILADELPHIA (July 9, 2015) - The Philadelphia Soul look to keep the winning streak alive in Week 16. The Soul (12-2) will host the Cleveland Gladiators (7-7) for the second time this season on the Rothman Field at the Wells Fargo Center on Saturday, July 11 at 1 p.m. The game will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network.
The last time the Soul faced Cleveland was Week 4 when they defeated the Gladiators 63-48 after losing to them in the first round of the playoffs in 2014. The Soul used a solid offense to grab the win, led by All-Arena and Receiver of the Year candidate, Marco Thomas. Marco led the Soul receivers with nine catches for 108 yards and three touchdowns, while All-Arena and Receiver of the Year candidate, Ryan McDaniel, added seven catches for 73 yards and two touchdowns.
MVP and Offensive Player of the Year candidate, Dan Raudabaugh, finished the night by completing 27-of-36 passes for 262 yards, seven touchdowns and zero interceptions. Defensively, Dwayne Hollis led the team with six total tackles, along with LaRico Stevenson who had six total tackles as well.
The first player the Soul will have to focus on is Cleveland QB Shane Austin. Austin is second in the League in passing yards behind Raudabaugh. Austin has 3,745 yards for the season with 80 touchdowns. The Soul defensive line has been strong all season. Soul lineman Teddy Jennings has four sacks in his first two games back with the team since returning in Week 13. All-Arena and Defensive Player of the Year candidate, James Romain, is third in the League in interceptions with nine for the season.
The next match-up to look for is Gladiator WR Collin Taylor against the Soul defense. He is ranked No. 5 in the League in receiving leaders and led the Gladiators receiving core in Week 4 with ten receptions for 120 yards and four touchdowns. LaRico Stevenson leads the Soul in tackles with a total of 70.0 for the season.
As for the Gladiator defense, they need to focus on putting pressure on Raudabaugh. Dan leads the League with 3,985 passing yards and 94 touchdowns for the season and is just 10 touchdown passes short of 500 for his career.
Finally, the Gladiators need to be prepared to stop Philadelphia's Marco Thomas who is third in the League in receiving leaders with 1,464 yards for the season and 34 touchdowns. DB Dominick Jones and DB Joe Phinisee have led the Gladiators defensively this season with a combined 112.5 total tackles this season.
The Soul will face off against the Jacksonville Sharks in Week 17 on Saturday, July 18 at 7 p.m. ET at the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena.
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