Game Preview: Philadelphia Soul at Tampa Bay Storm 4.15.17
Published on April 13, 2017 under Arena Football League (AFL)
Philadelphia Soul News Release
PHILADELPHIA - The Philadelphia Soul kick off their twelfth season this Saturday. The Soul (0-0) will travel to Tampa Bay to face the Storm (1-0) at the Amalie Arena in Tampa, FL at 7 p.m. The game will be broadcast live on CBS Sports Network and 97.5 The Fanatic.
The Soul are fresh off of a 2016 season that ended with a 16-3 record and an ArenaBowl Championship. The Soul defeated the Arizona Rattlers in ArenaBowl XXIX with a final score of 56-42.
The Soul are eager to see how ArenaBowl XXIX MVP WR Shaun Kauleinamoku will match up against Storm DB Cortez Stubbs. Last season, SK recorded 99 receptions for 1,304 yards and 26 touchdowns. Last year, Stubbs had 57.5 tackles, and three interceptions for 33 yards. This past week against the Gladiators, he tallied 7.5 total tackles, one pass break-up and one pass defended.
Another match-up to look for is Soul DB James Romain against Storm WR Joe Hills. Hills joins the Storm receiving core after playing with the Jacksonville Sharks in 2016. Last year, Hills tallied 161 receptions for 2,020 yards and 58 touchdowns. Against the Gladiators in Week 1, he recorded seven receptions for 53 yards and three touchdowns. Romain was a dynamic playmaker last year for the Soul defense with 45.0 tackles, 18 pass breakups, and five interceptions for 47 yards and one touchdown.
The final match-up to watch is between Soul QB Dan Raudabaugh and Storm QB Randy Hippeard. Raudabaugh was ranked among the top quarterbacks during the 2016 season, completing 339-of-490 passes for 4,303 yards and 101 touchdowns. The Soul veteran quarterback was also awarded Second Team All-Arena last season. Hippeard has returned to the Storm after playing with the Orlando Predators for the 2015 and 2016 seasons. Last year, Hippeard completed 236-of-360 passes for 2,967 yards and 65 touchdowns.
In Week 3, the Soul will travel to Washington D.C. to play against the Washington Valor on Saturday, April 22 at 7 p.m. at the Verizon Center. This will be the first time in arena football history that these two teams will face off.
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