Comeback Falls Short In Philadelphia As Predators Suffer First Loss
May 21, 2016 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Orlando Predators News Release
Orlando Predators WR Brandon Thompkins Gains Yardage vs. the Philadelphia Soul
(Orlando Predators)
PHILADELPHIA - The Orlando Predators (7-1) suffered their first of the season on Saturday evening, falling on the road 62-54 to the Philadelphia Soul (7-1). Orlando battled back from a 28-point deficit in the fourth quarter, but was unable to complete the comeback attempt.
QB Randy Hippeard threw for 276 yards and eight touchdowns with one interception on the night, hooking up with WR Brandon Thompkins for five scores as the wideout hauled in a game-high 13 passes for 144 yards. WR Greg Carr caught six passes for 87 yards and a score, while WR Larry Brackins and OL Chad Anderson each added short touchdown grabs.
The first quarter ended in a 7-7 tie as FB Jeramie Richardson scored on a one-yard run for the Soul before Hippeard responded with a 16-yard touchdown pass to Carr.
Philadelphia went ahead early in the second quarter off a scoring reception by WR Darius Reynolds, but a missed PAT by the Soul allowed the Predators to take a 14-13 lead on a nine-yard touchdown grab by Thompkins.
Reynolds caught another score from seven yards out for the Soul, but Orlando would need only one play to regain the lead.
After recovering Philadelphia's onside kick attempt, the Predators quickly converted the great field position into points as Thompkins caught a short pass and took it 10 yards to the end zone for a 21-20 advantage.
WR Ryan McDaniel caught a five-yard touchdown pass for Philadelphia and the Predators responded with an eight-yard scoring toss from Hippeard to Brackins. However, a missed PAT by Orlando left the game tied 27-27 with under a minute remaining in the half. Richardson would score on a one-yard run for Soul as time expired in the half, leaving the Predators trailing 34-27 at the midway point.
Philadelphia built a 55-27 lead off of three unanswered scores in the third quarter. Orlando received the kick to start the second half, but Hippeard was intercepted by DB Dwayne Hollis on the first play of the drive and Richardson scored again on a short run for the Soul. Philadelphia then scored off a five-yard reception by Reynolds after the Predators turned the ball over on downs. Moments later, the ensuing kickoff bounced off the uprights and the Soul managed to recover the loose ball in the end zone for another score.
Orlando ended the scoring drought and rattled off three unanswered scores of its own to start the final quarter, beginning with an 11-yard touchdown toss from Hippeard to Thompkins. DE Darryl Cato-Bishop recovered a fumble for the Predators after sacking Soul QB Dan Raudabaugh on the ensuing series and Orlando converted the turnover into points off a two-yard scoring toss from Hippeard to OL Chad Anderson. Moments later, DB Kent Richardson recovered an onside kick for Orlando and Thompkins hauled in a 34-yard touchdown to cut the deficit, 54-47.
Philadelphia managed to put Orlando back in a two-score hole following a three-yard touchdown run by Reynolds, but the Predators battled back with a 15-yard scoring catch by Thompkins. However, the Soul managed to recover Orlando's onside attempt on the ensuing kickoff and ran out the clock to seal the loss, 62-54.
The Predators return to the Amway Center in Week 9 to take on the Jacksonville Sharks on Friday, May 27 at 7:30 p.m. ET.
The game can be seen on ESPN3/Watch ESPN and heard on FM 96.9 The Game. Tickets are available for purchase by calling 407-355-2200 or online at OrlandoPredators.com.
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Arena Football League Stories from May 21, 2016
- Rattlers' Defense Rocks the KISS, 47-34 - Arizona Rattlers
- LA KISS Suffer Costly Injuries and Lose to the Arizona - Los Angeles KISS
- Soul Defeat Predators, 62-54 - Philadelphia Soul
- Sharks Smoke Steel on Saturday, 65-34 - Jacksonville Sharks
- Comeback Falls Short In Philadelphia As Predators Suffer First Loss - Orlando Predators
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