Game Preview: Soul Host Storm in Round 1 of AFL Postseason
August 5, 2016 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Philadelphia Soul News Release
PHILADELPHIA- The Philadelphia Soul (13-3) head into Round 1 of the 2016 AFL Postseason as they host the Tampa Bay Storm (2-14) on Sunday, August 7 at 6 p.m. at the PPL Center in Allentown, PA. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN2, and 97.5FM The Fanatic.
Last week the Soul the Soul finished their last regular season game, defeating the Orlando Predators 67-59. With this victory, the Soul clinched home field advantage through the American Conference Championship game.
This is the third time the Soul and the Storm will face each other this season. The last time these two teams met was in Week 16, with the Soul defeating the Storm 56-51. The team will look to get their third win against Tampa this week and head to the American Conference Championship this Sunday.
The first match-up to look for this weekend is between Soul WR Darius Reynolds and Storm DB Cortez Stubbs. Reynolds has tallied 112 receptions for 1,447 yards and 38 touchdowns this season. He caught six receptions for 50 yards and three touchdowns against Tampa Bay in Week 16. So far this season, Stubbs has 80.5 total tackles, three tackles for loss, three interceptions for 33 yards, 13 pass break-ups and 16 passes defended.
The next match-up to look out for is between the two quarterbacks, Dan Raudabaugh and Jason Boltus. So far this season, Raudabaugh has completed 339-of-489 passes for 4,303 yards and 101 touchdowns. He was awarded Under Armour Offensive Player of the Game this past weekend, completing 21-of-29 passes for 335 yards and ten touchdowns. Boltus has completed 228-of-413 passes for 2,652 yards and 42 touchdowns this season.
The Soul secondary will have to watch out for Storm WR Antoine "T.T." Toliver. Toliver leads the Storm receivers with 114 receptions for 1,578 yards and 25 touchdowns for the 2016 season. In Week 16 against the Soul, Toliver led the receiving core with 12 receptions for 152 yards and three touchdowns. Soul DB Tracy Belton recorded 10.5 total tackles, two pass break ups, and was awarded Riddell Defensive Player of the Game against the Predators last week. In the 2016 season, he leads the Soul defense with 90.0 total tackles, nine interceptions, 20 pass break-ups, 29 passes defended and one forced fumble.
The Soul will host the Tampa Bay Storm this Sunday, August 7 at 6 p.m. at the PPL Center in Allentown, PA. The game will be broadcast live on national television (ESPN2), and will also be broadcast live on 97.5FM The Fanatic, a Philadelphia based sports station. With a victory on August 7, the team will return to the PPL Center on Sunday, August 14 for the Conference Championship game. Tickets for both games are on sale now at pplcenter.com.
ABOUT PHILADELPHIA SOUL The 2015 Eastern Division Champion Philadelphia Soul are entering their 11th Season. In ten seasons of play, the Soul have won four Division Championships, three Conference Championships and a World Championship. Since the inaugural season in 2004, the Soul are the winningest professional sports team in Philadelphia. Season memberships and Group tickets for the Soul's upcoming 2017 season are on sale now. For tickets, contact the Soul sales department at (215) 253-4900 ext. 3, or request contact from a Soul representative by filling out the form on www.philadelphiasoul.com. Follow the Soul on Facebook at facebook.com/soul and Twitter at twitter.com/soulfootball.
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