Philadelphia Soul: Week 6 Game Preview
Published on May 28, 2019 under Arena Football League (AFL)
Philadelphia Soul News Release
Having fallen below .500 for the first time since the 2014 season, the Philadelphia Soul (2-3) will host the Columbus Destroyers (0-5) on Saturday looking to snap a three-game losing streak. The game marks the start of a three-game homestand for the Soul and a stretch of four of five games at the Wells Fargo Center. Fans can watch live on NBC Sports Philadelphia+, ESPN3 or the ESPN app, or listen to the action on 97.5 The Fanatic.
Philadelphia is coming off a loss to the Baltimore Brigade in which the team was held to just 30 points, their third-fewest in any game under head coach Clint Dolezel. Affected by in-game injuries to receivers Aaron Wascha (who missed the entire second half) and Lonnie Outlaw (who would leave in the fourth quarter), quarterback Dan Raudabaugh completed just 44.1% of his passes (15-34), his lowest completion percentage since 2014 and the fifth-lowest of his career.
The team will look to get back on track against the winless Destroyers on Saturday. After leading for the entire game against the Valor last weekend, Columbus gave up a last-second touchdown to drop to 0-5 on the year.
Despite their record, the Destroyers boast one of the most dangerous playmakers in the league in wide receiver Fabian Guerra. The return specialist is averaging a league-leading 150.2 all-purpose yards per game and his nine receiving touchdowns are tied with the Soul's Darius Prince for second-most in the AFL. The Philadelphia defense will look to contain Guerra in order to shut down a Columbus offense that is averaging a league-worst 30.2 points per game.
Saturday's matchup will mark the Soul's first meeting with the Destroyers since Columbus' return to the league earlier this year. Philadelphia is 6-4 all-time against Columbus, including three straight wins, the last of which came in 2008. The Soul have not lost four straight games since 2011, two years before Clint Dolezel took over as head coach.
Saturday's kickoff is scheduled for 7 pm ET.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
WR Jordan Williams
Williams is coming off a big game against Baltimore in which he recorded 167 all-purpose yards (22 Rec, 145 Return). Plagued by injuries to receivers Aaron Wascha and Lonnie Outlaw, the Soul could look to him to provide an offensive spark.
WR Fabian Guerra
Guerra leads the league with 150.2 all-purpose yards per game and two kick return touchdowns this season. He's one of three receivers along with Albany's Malachi Jones and the Soul's Aaron Wascha to record multiple three-touchdown games this season.
BY THE NUMBERS
-7 The Destroyers have posted a league-worst -7 turnover margin this season.
0 The Soul have never lost four straight games under current head coach Clint Dolezel. Philadelphia has only suffered five losing streaks of 4+ games in its history, with the last one coming in 2011.
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