Game Preview: Soul Look to Unplug the Shock
April 2, 2015 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Philadelphia Soul News Release
PHILADELPHIA (April 2, 2015)- The Philadelphia Soul look to keep the winning streak alive this week. The Soul (1-0) will travel to Spokane to face the Shock (0-1) in Week 2 at the Spokane Shock Arena on Saturday, April 4 at 10 p.m. ET. The game will be broadcasted on ESPN3.
This past week the Soul came out victorious against the Predators, with Ryan McDaniel scoring a last-minute touchdown, making the final score 70-63. McDaniel finished with 10 catches for 150 yards and three touchdowns. Marco Thomas added 14 catches for 154 yards and three touchdowns, while Shaun Kaueinamoku had six receptions for 118 yards and two touchdowns.
Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Game, Dan Raudabaugh, finished the night by completing 30-of-48 passes for 422 yards, eight touchdowns, and no interceptions. On the defensive side, James Romain had a 30-yard interception return for a touchdown, while Caleb Bostic had the lone sack of the game. Kent Richardson led the team with 6.5 total tackles and one tackle for loss and Dwayne Hollis had 3.5 total tackles.
This week, the Soul defense will need to be more present if they are hoping to stop Spokane WR Mike Washington and QB Carson Coffman.
The first match-up to look for in the game is Soul DB Brandon Freeman up against Spokane WR Mike Washington. Last season Freeman recorded 62.5 total tackles, eight interceptions and two fumble recoveries in 18 games for the Pittsburgh Power. Last season, Washington recorded 106 passes for 1,356 yards, 23 touchdowns and started in 16 games.
Another great match-up to look for is Soul center Shannon Breen up against Spokane MLB Derrick Summers. Last season Breen was named Second Team All-Arena as a Center and appeared in 16 games for the Cleveland Gladiators. In 2014, Summers recorded 44.5 tackles and 10.5 sacks in 18 starts for the Shock.
The next match-up to definitely keep an eye out for is Soul's Kauleinamoku up against Spokane CB Sergio Gilliam. Last season Kauleinamoku and Gilliam were teammates on the Pittsburgh Power. Kauleinamoku caught 124 passes for 1,359 yards and 19 touchdowns last season. Gilliam recorded 70 total tackles and three interceptions in 18 games last season.
The final player the Soul offensive line needs to keep an eye out for is Spokane DE James Ruffin. Last season Ruffin earned the Krossover Defensive Lineman of the Year and First Team All-Arena honors. Not only did he lead the league with the most sacks, 14, he also set a franchise record for the Shock. He recorded 38.5 total tackles and one interception for 21 yards. Breen joins Adam Smith and Neal Tivis, who were part of the best offensive line in the League last year by allowing a League-low 7.0 sacks.
The Soul will face off against the Jacksonville Sharks in their home opener in Week 3 on Saturday, April 12 at 4 p.m. ET at the Wells Fargo Center.
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Arena Football League Stories from April 2, 2015
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- Game Preview: Soul Look to Unplug the Shock - Philadelphia Soul
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