Division Rivals Soul and Power Battle Out in Week 13
June 12, 2013 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Philadelphia Soul News Release
PHILADELPHIA - The Philadelphia Soul look to win their fifth consecutive road game as they take on their cross-state rival, the Pittsburgh Power, in the "Keystone Collision." The Soul (6-5) hope to even out the series for this season, after the Power (3-8) upset Philadelphia at home in Week 8, 53-48.
"We're going to have to take care of the ball," explained Soul head coach Clint Dolezel. "If we do that, we should be alright in this matchup. We need to put pressure on their quarterback and rush accordingly. If we have the right matchups on their receivers and put pressure on their offense, I believe in our defense's ability to shut them down. Our offense has been clicking so far this season, so if we take care business, we should be alright."
The Soul enter the game having scored at least 50 points in 10 of their 11 games this season. They are averaging 59.3 points-per-game (No. 3), while averaging 287.5 yards passing (No. 3) and 28.7 yards on the ground (No. 4). QB Dan Raudabaugh ranks No. 2 in the League in passing yards-per-game (287.5) and No. 3 in passing touchdowns (59). Offensive Player of the Year candidate, Tiger Jones, ranks No. 1 in receiving yards (1,481), No. 2 in receptions (99) and No. 8 in receiving touchdowns (25).
Although head coach Clint Dolezel's defense has struggled to stop the pass (No. 10), they have been stout against the run, allowing just 15.9 yards-per-game (No. 3). Defensive Player of the Year candidate, Bryan Robinson, has been the standout player for the defense, ranking No. 1 in tackles-for-loss (14.0) and No. 3 in sacks (9.0).
Despite Pittsburgh's subpar record, their defense ranks No. 2 in the League. The Power are No. 1 against the pass (222.7 yards) despite having just one member ranked in the AFL's top ten in passes defended with DB Sergio Gilliam, while no one is ranked in the top ten for interceptions.
Power head coach Derek Stingley's defense has struggled to stop the run, having given up the most rushing yards (325) and rushing touchdowns (26) in the League. Pittsburgh has struggled offensively, ranking No. 13 in passing offense (230.3) and last in scoring (40.6). The Power's best offensive threat is Mike Washington, who ranks No. 7 with 92 receptions and No. 9 with 993 receiving yards. He has at least one touchdown catch in nine of his last 10 games.
There are a few factors that will be the outliers for this matchup. With the Power's strong running game (No. 3), they will look to keep Philadelphia and their No. 1 offense off the field. For the Soul, they will look to get pressure on the quarterback against an offensive line that's allowed 34 sacks (No. 13).
The Soul will also look to feed FB Derrick Ross, who is eight yards away from moving into first place on the AFL's all-time rushing yards list. For Ross, his 37 yards rushing against New Orleans was his highest total since Week 7 against Chicago. In the last matchup, Pittsburgh defense gave up 25 yards and two touchdowns to Ross in their Week 8 matchup.
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