AFL Philadelphia Soul

Philadelphia Soul Prepare for Pittsburgh Power

March 22, 2012 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Philadelphia Soul News Release


PHILADELPHIA (March 21, 2012) - The Philadelphia Soul (1-0) wrap up their two-game road trip to open their season as they travel to western Pennsylvania to take on the Pittsburgh Power (1-0). For the first time in 2012, the Soul will be featured on the NFL Network's "NET10 Arena Football Friday". Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. this Friday, March 23. The game can be heard on 950 ESPN Radio with play-by-play announcer Matt Martucci.

"Pittsburgh played their first game under unusual circumstances and because of that we didn't get an opportunity to evaluate their style of play or personnel. This will be the first time in 2012 that their entire team will be on the field," said Soul head coach Doug Plank. "It's like playing another opening week game, but I know Pittsburgh always has a reputation as a very physical, rough football team."

Despite Pittsburgh's unusual start to the 2012 season, Plank knows what to expect from the Power. "We don't expect anything different. It will be a very difficult game," Plank continued. "Any time you play another team within the same state there is that natural competition. I'm expecting a very high energy game competitively played on both sides."

In Week 2, the Soul defeated the New Orleans VooDoo 63-62 thanks to a blocked field goal as time expired. Quarterback Dan Raudabaugh didn't disappoint in his Soul debut as he completed 22-of-30 passes for 310 yards and seven touchdowns. Wide Receiver Tiger Jones finished the day with 10 receptions for 132 yards and three touchdowns. However, it was WR/KR Jeff Hughley that stole the show with a record-setting performance.

Hughley finished the day with 265 yards on 10 kick returns, including one for a touchdown. He caught four passes for 92 yards for two touchdowns. The impressive outing set several team records, including the single-game record for all-purpose yards with 360 yards, eclipsing Charles Pauley's mark of 277 yards set on May 5, 2007. Hughley broke the record set by Mike Brown for single-game kickoff return yards with 265 and tied Brown's record for kick returns in a game with 10.

In Week 1, the Power pounded the Predators 40-26. Quarterback Andrico Hines completed 18-of-35 passes for 266 yards and six touchdowns. Wide receiver Mike Washington led the receiving corps with nine catches for 166 yards and 4 touchdowns. Power DB Bryan Williams finished first on the defense in tackles with eight solo and defended four passes.

Last season, the two keystone clubs split the first season series of their young rivalry. Philadelphia drew first blood in Week 1 of the season. After a Power 35-yard field goal tied the game as the clock expired to force overtime, the Soul's Mike Brown took an interception 15 yards to the endzone to finish the contest by a final score of 58-52.

They met again in Week 20 as the series bookended their seasons. This time, Pittsburgh walked away the victor. Power quarterback Bill Stull led the offense, completing 24-of-40 passes for 260 yards and six touchdowns. The Power defeated the Soul in Philadelphia by a final score of 61-48.

The Soul and Power face off for the third time this Friday, March 23 at 8 p.m. in the Consol Energy Center. With the series record tied at 1-1 and the clubs tied atop the Eastern Division with identical 1-0 records, their Week 3 meeting sets up a winner-take-all scenario for an early-season division lead and a 2-1 series lead.

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